Urban renewal in Ashkelon: A comprehensive review of projects in the Barnea, Afridar and older neighborhoods
In recent years, the Ashkelon Municipality has been promoting a number of significant urban renewal projects throughout the city. According to the city's Urban Renewal Directorate, these projects represent an opportunity to upgrade the quality of life in Ashkelon: improving living conditions and developing public space, alongside strengthening buildings and upgrading infrastructure. The official position states that each such project is intended to upgrade living conditions in an existing urban environment, while preserving the neighborhood's character. For example, in April 2022, a relocation-reconstruction project was approved in the city - in the Givat Zion neighborhood - under which approximately 1,039 new housing units will be built in place of approximately 114 existing ones. At the same time, additional programs have been launched in various neighborhoods, including Barnea, Afridar, and old neighborhoods in the west of the city.
Main projects in the selected neighborhoods
Barnea neighborhood
In the Barnea neighborhood (northern Ashkelon), an evacuation-reconstruction plan called "Porta del Sol" was approved. The plan is located on an area of approximately 33 dunams (between Bar Kochba Boulevard and Abba Achimeir Street). The plan includes the demolition of four 4-story buildings (a total of approximately 72 residential units) and the construction of a new residential complex with approximately 436–450 residential units. The new residential buildings will also incorporate commercial floors on the main streets, and public areas (parks and a municipal square) will be allocated. The National Planning Committee approved the plan for submission in 2023, and it is currently progressing to the construction phase. The initiative is expected to increase the urban housing stock and improve the urban appearance in the center of the neighborhood.
Afridar neighborhood
An innovative process is also underway in Afridar (southwest of Ashkelon). In early April 2024, the local committee approved a plan for evacuation and construction under the "Shaked" alternative - a special track that complements TAMA 38 by allowing for the approval of a plan and permit conditions at the same time. This is the first case in Israel in which an urban renewal plan has been approved under the Shaked alternative. Within the framework of this plan, reinforcement or demolition-construction will be carried out as needed, with the facilitation of additional building rights (up to about 400% and even 500% for consolidation) and concurrent process management. The plan (in an exact location in the article not specified) demonstrates an innovative approach to dealing with old buildings in Afridar, with the aim of enhancing the residential stock in this established area.
Old neighborhoods
In the center and south of Ashkelon, there are a number of older complexes that are also in the renewal basket. The Ramat Eshkol (Antiquities) neighborhood in the east of the city is one of the oldest of them. Mayor Tomer Glam promoted a unique program within the framework of the Urban Redevelopment Plan in cooperation with the acting mayor, city engineer Victoria Brengel, and developers (Demari, MBS, Minrav, Shriki Group). In