Author: Noga Rippin
On Friday, March 8th, we went on a field trip in the Naqab (Negev desert) as a part of ”Pipeline for Urban Professionals in Arab Society in Israel" program, organized by the Urban Clinic. The tour was led by present and past palestinian scholars of the clinic, which presented us their work in the planning field around various issues regardeing the bedouin communities of the Beer -Sheba area.
Our first stop was led by BGU graduate student Shirin Abu-Freih, who works as coordinator of the planning committee at Rahat Municipality. Shirin is working on advancing historic preservation in Rahat, and she took us to Khirbet Zubala, home to "Qasr al-Huzail" palace, the first Bedouin multi-story building in the area. The neighborhood has been planned for development but progress is limited by lack of funding for infrastructure and by the costs and complex legal process residents face in registering their properties and obtaining building permits.
We also saw the potential for a new park nearby. The son of Sheikh Al-Huzail showed us the now-dry historic dam nearby and told us his plans to reflood the area as a park for residents and tourists. This site led to a discussion about our role as planners in navigating the all-important stage of implementation.
Next BGU graduate student Riham Abo Aday took us to Wadi al-Khazan/ Nahal Grar, a long and steep dry river bed that divides ‘old’ Rahat from the new residential areas. Riham asked the group how we would develop the wadi into a public park that would both serve residents and support the natural ecosystem, and how to ensure that Bedouin women would feel safe using the park?
We discussed the importance of finding partners and champions who can lead educational and community activities in the Wadi. We also discussed the historical and cultural significance of the wadi and how to balance traditional land uses, such as grazing and agriculture, with modern park amenities like grass and benches. Will Rahat residents of today be happy to see grazing sheep and agriculture together with elements of commerce and employment? Several of our graduate students are now involved in the next steps, for which significant philanthropic support has been secured.
Our last stop was led by HUJI graduate student Lobna A-Sana, in her capacity as planner with the Council for Unrecognized Bedouin Villages. Lubna took us to Khashem Zana, an informal village that was recently recognized by the State. The council supplies unified leadership to represent the needs of the unrecognized Bedouin towns and to promote plans acknowledging their right to development in situ. After a great lunch (highly recommended) and a hike to an amazing view out over the northern Negev, we finished with our usual round of ‘what surprised, angered, delighted or intrigued me today’?’. These closing conversations are our opportunity to hone our aspirations for change, and our humility in the face of the challenges.
