The Kidron Valley is an area to the south and east of the Old City that is comprised of a number of Palestinian neighborhoods. Representatives from Community, an Israeli non-profit that works to create “green communities” led us through three neighborhoods in this area; Tzur Bahar, Abu Tor, and Ras Al-Amud. In the midst of the severe lack of services and planning challenges in East Jerusalem, we saw many positive examples of community led planning, public participation, and creative uses of space and resources.

 

Making due with what little space they have, the girls at this school play in the parking lot underneath one of the buildings. Credit: Sheli Zaidman

 

Tour participants toured a girls’ school in Abu Tor with the school’s director. Due to the lack of public space, this school is located in an apartment building rented by the Jerusalem Municipality. Credit: Sheli Zaidman

 

East Jerusalem is constantly expanding, mostly up, as the population increases. Its dense neighborhoods and narrow streets stretch across hillsides. Despite its proximity East Jerusalem is culturally, socially, and politically segregated from the rest of the city. credit : Sheli Zaidman