Urban Renewal
Haifa Municipality is currently promoting a long-term strategy regarding the city’s planning and development, while implementing updated concepts of urban renewal and principles of sustainability. The main goal set by the city’s administration for the Haifa 2030 strategic unit is to coordinate the planning work carried out in the various municipal departments, in terms of both long-term outline planning and specific planning and physical development, and to connect them to the advanced principles and planning concepts practiced all over the world.
Vision
To gradually turn Haifa’s urban space into a public space that gives the city’s residents easy and comfortable access to all the necessary uses of daily life – residential, employment, educational institutions, public institutions, sports facilities, cultural centers, commerce and leisure. The ambition is to reduce walking distances and design an inviting and affordable human public space, pleasant and healthy in its environmental aspects. In the renewal process, existing urban centers will be renewed, new centers will be built in areas with the potential for urban development that have thus far been marginalized, and the city’s built heritage will be preserved. The vision of urban renewal is guided by the sustainability approach (see further details at the end of this document).
Background
Urban renewal activities have many partners, mainly the Department of Urban Renewal in the Engineering Administration, which is responsible for applying policies by promoting an unprecedented number of urban renewal programs that place Haifa at the forefront of activity at the national level – 40,000 or more housing units are assigned for urban renewal as part of neighborhood outline plans. Alongside the Department of Urban Renewal, various departments in the Engineering Administration and Operations Administration are working to formulate policy documents on various issues relating to planning and construction, conservation and transportation, as well as implementing physical and tactical urban development projects in the public sphere that are an integral part of urban renewal activities.
Urban planning and development must contribute to the renewal of veteran areas using the tools of preservation and new construction. Over the years, residents have left the older residential neighborhoods they lived in. These neighborhoods were partially occupied by offices, while many buildings remained empty. The goal is to create an inviting public space with mixed uses that will encourage residents to return to live in these buildings alongside commerce, offices and diverse public uses.
To promote the development of various areas, specific physical projects must be advanced that will renew the public space and immediately create points of interest. Integrating these projects into future planning will expedite the renewal.
Planning in these areas is the result of joint work by the Engineering Administration, the Urban Renewal Authority, the Ministry of Construction and Housing in some of the plans (Wadi Nisnas for example) and Haifa 2030.
Goals & work plan
SECTION A: Promoting the renewal of long-established residential neighborhoods
These are the planning values behind the neighborhoods’ renewal: diversity in the architectural language and textures of construction. No more neighborhoods of towers with desolate parking lots, rather a rich public space with mixed uses, textured construction that includes both low- and high-rise urban construction, division into complexes that provide community services within walking distances. The public space will be designed with pedestrians in mind and ensure local vegetation for maintaining climate conditions, striving for a connection to the sea, a combination of public transportation systems, bike paths and everything required to encourage walking from place to place. The neighborhood functions will be dispersed within short walking distances, reducing the need for private vehicles.
1. Renewing neighborhoods along the coastline
The veteran neighborhoods – Neve David, Sha’ar Ha’Aliyah, Ein Hayam, Kiryat Sprinzak, Kiryat Eliezer, Kiryat Eliyahu and western Kiryat Haim – were planned and established in Haifa in the 1950s along the coastline, in the flat parts of the city. These neighborhoods of housing projects and prefabs, which have become old and dilapidated, are about to become bustling coastal neighborhoods that will fulfill Haifa’s uniqueness as a coastal city. Now, with Urban Renewal Authority funding, professional planning teams are promoting plans for all these neighborhoods, with a special emphasis placed on the physical connections between the neighborhoods and the beaches, including major transportation changes along the coastline. The Haifa 2030 team is accompanying the process by implementing the principles of sustainability and locating specific projects that can be advanced in the short term.
- Western Haifa neighborhoods – Neve David, Sha’ar Ha’Aliyah, Ein Hayam, Sprinzak west
Outline plan for urban renewal. The program’s planner: Prof. Irit Tsaraf-Netanyahu. The program, funded by the Urban Renewal Authority and accompanied by the Urban Renewal Department in the city’s Planning Administration, includes a team of consultants in all disciplines.
2. Kiryat Eliezer and Kiryat Eliyahu The master plan for Kiryat Eliezer and Kiryat Eliyahu was prepared by the Barely-Levitzky-Kassif architecture firm and funded by the Urban Renewal Authority. It includes a team of consultants in various fields and has been approved by the Local Planning and Building Committee plenary. The submitted detailed plans are under the committee’s authority. Already, a number of detailed plans submitted by entrepreneurs are being advanced in various complexes, in accordance with the guidelines of the overall plan. For further details and an up-to-date snapshot of the program.
In parallel with promoting the urban renewal program, the Haifa 2030 team initiated a project to renew and update Meyerhoff Square in Kiryat Eliezer, as part of the neighborhood commercial centers renewal project. The project will include dismantling damaged and aging elements and regulating the presentation of goods on designated apparatus (not on wooden pallets or crates); marking and separating areas where it is permitted to display goods; renovating and shading passageways; installing automated public conveniences; upgrading street furniture (benches, sun shades) and adding an activity complex for children.
3. Western Kiryat Haim The master plan for western Kiryat Haim was prepared by the architect Prof. Irit Tsaraf-Netanyahu, funded by the Haifa Municipality and accompanied by a team of consultants funded by the Urban Renewal Authority. The municipal Urban Renewal Department and Urban Planning Department accompanied the plan’s preparation. The plan has been approved by the Local Planning and Building Committee, following which a statutory outline plan is being prepared in accordance with the master plan. For further details and an up-to-date snapshot of the program.
Haifa 2030’s contribution
- Implementing innovative and sustainable approaches and planning values ( = process upgrade and planning outcomes).
- Pushing and promoting ongoing projects – Kiryat Haim Beach Promenade. Checking options for initial implementation of projects ( = push for implementation).
- Economic and appraisal examination of multipliers while maintaining environmental values and additional transportation tests ( = planning supervision).
2. Renewing the hillside neighborhoods and their connection to nature
The old mountain neighborhoods such as Neve Sha’anan, Kiryat Sprinzak and Ramat Shaul will be renewed and connected to the nature surrounding them. The emphasis is on thickening the main urban arteries and improving their lifestyles according to the principles of sustainability (mixing uses, strengthening trade, mobility, convenient walking distances, efficient public transportation, bike paths, thickening vegetation and shading, etc.). Unlike the main arteries, the neighborhoods’ interior will be renewed minimally, with an emphasis on strengthening the buildings and making them accessible (reinforced safe rooms, elevators, etc.), while optimally maintaining the neighborhood’s character.
a) Renewal of Kiryat Sprinzak and Ramat Shaul
The Master Plan and Outline Plan for Kiryat Sprinzak and Ramat Shaul were prepared by the Derman Verbakel architecture firm and funded by the Urban Renewal Authority. The program includes a team of consultants from various fields and is in the document preparation stage. The program was presented to the public on the municipal website, their critiques and suggestions were incorporated, and it was approved in the Local Planning and Building Committee plenary. A statutory master plan is currently being advanced. The program’s planners are accompanied by city’s Engineering Administration, through the Urban Renewal Department and Planning Division. The Haifa 2030 team is also integrated into the project in terms of social, economic, transportation and environment-sustainability aspects.
For further details and an up-to-date snapshot of the program.
b) Renewal of Neve Sha’anan (Yizraeliya, Ziv, Ramot Remez)
The Greater Neve Sha’anan neighborhood is the largest neighborhood in Haifa, currently with about 44,000 residents (about 15% of the city’s population) representing the spectrum of communities that comprise the population of Haifa.
The Neve Sha’anan Renewal Master Plan includes the development of main streets for urban activity, the neighborhood’s accessibility through an array of new roads, the introduction of Metronit bus lines and building a perimeter landscape promenade.
The plan was initiated and promoted by the Urban Planning Division in the Engineering Administration in cooperation with the Yefe Nof municipal corporation, and prepared by the architect Irit Tsaraf-Netanyahu. The plan is intended to formulate an overall view of the urban renewal of greater Neve Sha’anan in the long term, with reference to urban renewal plans under construction, such as the plan to widen Haviva Reich Street in Ramot Remez and the Berl Katznelson evacuation-reconstruction plan in the Ziv neighborhood, as well as new initiatives. In this framework, the plan defines the scope of residential construction and height of construction, transportation guidelines, complexes for conservation and areas for public buildings.
c) The slopes of western Neve Sha’anan – Neve Paz and Neve Yosef
The Neve Paz and Neve Yosef neighborhoods, located on the western slopes of Neve Sha’anan, were established in the 1950s and 1960s and have not undergone urban renewal. Currently, an outline plan for these neighborhoods has been prepared. The program is scheduled for 2022. The Ministry of Construction and Housing has also approved a budget, pending state budget approval. ש.
SECTION B: Renewal and bolstering of “Lev Ha’Ir” (the Heart of the City) – Haifa’s commercial, employment and culture center
1. Main business center and employment centers
The renewal of residential neighborhoods throughout Haifa – that is, improving the state of existing residential infrastructure and adding tens of thousands of new housing units – requires creating additional sources of income in the heart of the metropolitan area, as well as a diverse and rich cultural and commercial lifestyle. This section contains a number of projects in various complexes different in character in Haifa’s historic main business center – from the west in low-construction complexes in the German Colony and Wadi Nisnas (Arabic and Templar architecture), through modern and Mandatory construction in the lower city (with European-style residential blocks), to a futuristic business center in the east of the city, which will combine alongside each other skyscrapers, spectacular buildings for preservation and green parks (in the American “City” style). This space has a unique geometric shape for Haifa, elongated and narrow (from east to west), and all the city’s important public transportation axes – urban, metropolitan and inter-city – pass through it. All these complexes together form Haifa’s “heart of the city,” a “downtown” diverse and unique among Israel’s cities that creates the atmosphere of an unparalleled cosmopolitan city.
Status of the plans and continuation of the tasks
- Port Quarter (Urban Building Scheme) – A decision has been made to deposit the plan with the District Planning and Building Committee (according to National Outline Plan 13) subject to Environmental Protection Ministry approval. Currently, due to the danger of hazardous materials, the ministry does not approve depositing the plan and requires Israel Railways to provide it with a risk assessment report.
- Lower City district (future urban building scheme) – Urban design in the lower city and also in the Wadi Salib area. In the engagement process: approved by the CEO’s committee, awaiting the protocol and preparation of a contract to start work within about three months.
- Central Business Area East (“The City”) – The Michal Luclea Architects office has conducted an existing status report. Planning alternatives are continuing while bids for engagement with a traffic and parking consultant are also being examined.
- Wadi Nisnas – Awaiting the public cooperation process with the residents. Meanwhile, a conservation study has been completed ahead of a hearing of the Conservation Committee.
- Wadi Salib – The Wadi Salib area is included in the plan for the Lower City district (see clause 2 above)
2. Renewal of the Hadar HaCarmel district and its connection to Main Busines Area
The Hadar HaCarmel district numbers 40,600 residents, or 14.3% of Haifa’s population. About a quarter of the population is comprised of Arab residents (about 9,300 people). The proportion of children and youth is the highest in the city (27.6%). Hadar is inhabited by many young people and families, continuations of youth movement settlement groups, religious Jewish groups, artists and creators, academics and social activists – people who care. They make Hadar a living place, full of initiative, active, interesting, one that attracts visitors from around and outside the city.
We share with them their love of Hadar, and see the enormous potential of the neighborhood that was once the beating heart of Haifa’s bustling city. Therefore, the Hadar HaCarmel quarter is heading towards a comprehensive renewal process, while developing and promoting the community there, restoring residents to the neighborhood, returning public buildings to activity for the residents’ benefit, and strengthening the axis of commercial streets – Herzl, HeHalutz, Hanevi’im and Nordau – and the entire Talpiot market complex. Haifa 2030, the Urban Planning Division, the Operations Administration, the Community Division and all the relevant municipal agencies are working on the renewal plan.
The plan’s status
The Haifa 2030 strategic unit has created a new working framework – a multidisciplinary urban framework focused on Hadar – aimed at advancing the strategic plan for the renewal of Hadar and creating a trend change in the quarter’s development. The strategic plan is intended to formulate a vision, goals and objectives for the quarter’s long-term development, as well as serving as a framework for initiating, synchronizing and coordinating transformative projects in the short term.
The Haifa 2030 team is promoting the preparation of the strategic plan until an external planning team is formed, and funding will be available from the Ministry of Housing to prepare detailed plans for Hadar following the national budget’s approval in the Knesset.
The main tasks in the renewal of Hadar:
- Handling urban infrastructure and technological improvements – lighting, CCTV cameras, garbage disposal (innovation pilot in Hadar), etc.;
- Strengthening the urban commercial center and small businesses;
- Renovating the Talpiot Market building (already in progress) and the entire market complex;
- Establishing construction, urban design and conservation policies;
- Preparing proposals for cultural and academic complexes (the old Technion building, museum complex and Beit HaGefen, Haifa Theater and Beit Hayotzer, the artists’ project);
- Setting landscape treatment policies – open public areas, pocket gardens, community gardens;
- Rehabilitating the staircase streets – landscaping, vegetation, shading, field development, painting and renewing facades and escalators along several main streets;
- Entry of employment centers – Armon Tower, Hanevi’im Tower, the old Technion complex and Beit Hakranot;
- The “broken windows” – elimination of hazards that lead to neglect, including those connected to the world of crime.
SECTION C: Planning policy on a variety of citywide issues
1. High-rise construction (partial information; will be completed later)
In light of Haifa’s master plan not providing a comprehensive response to the issue of high-rise construction guidelines, Haifa Municipality contacted architect Ami Shinar who prepared a policy document guiding how to fill in the gaps in this regard. The document was presented to the Local Planning and Building Committee and published on the Haifa Insights website. The public’s comments were taken into consideration, and the city’s management appointed the architect Iris Levin as an external consultant to respond to them. The document is yet to be approved and published. Once approved, the document must be promoted as a plan that amends Haifa’s master plan.
2. TAMA 38 (partial information; will be completed later)
TAMA (Hebrew acronym for National Outline Plan) 38 is a master plan for reinforcing existing structures against earthquakes. This program is a collection of regulations whose main function is to address the risks arising from earthquakes. Construction in the framework of the TAMA permits the addition of stories and building closer a lot’s border lines beyond what is permitted by the current regulations. This means increasing the housing density, which can harm residents’ quality of life, the city’s vision and the value of neighboring apartments. Therefore, the city has approved a policy plan for TAMA 38. The document establishes conditions and restrictions that will maintain the character of the old urban space and Haifa’s landscape, and also addresses the lack of suitable infrastructure for building additions.
The document provides certainty for entrepreneurs and defines for them in advance their basket of rights, the way in which the number of housing units are calculated, the maximum number of floors, design of the roof, as well as other restrictions and maintenance of buildings designated for preservation.
For further details about the policy document.
3. Master Plans for Education and Hotels
a) Master Plan for Education [Details will be updated below]
b) Master Plan for Hotels
The Haifa 2030 team has prepared, with the help of the Urban Planning Division, a preliminary document on the distribution of hotels in the city and the objectives of the Master Plan for Hotels. This document will be a pillar of the Master Plan for Tourism.
4. Master Plans for Transportation – Escalators and Bike Paths
a) Master Plan for Escalators
Designed to locate the appropriate places in the city for the construction of escalators, produce planning guidelines and examine and ensure that they can be built lawfully.
b) Master Plan for Bicycle Paths The program is part of Haifa’s transportation vision, which seeks to promote public transportation and soft traffic, and reduce the use of private vehicles. The purpose of the bike lane network is to encourage commuting by bicycles and small vehicles, and serve as a complementary, safe and effective alternative of green and healthy transportation.
The program offers a network of bicycle lanes that connects all Haifa neighborhoods to the transportation and commercial centers and educational, higher education and cultural institutions. In view of its importance, municipal departments have already begun to implement the trails in the various programs promoted throughout the city. The planned network includes the allocation of bicycle lanes on selected streets within the asphalted road surface, proposals for outdoor escalators to improve links on the slopes and connections to public transportation.
5. Themed programs – preservation and heritage, urban design language
a) Preservation and Heritage
Haifa is blessed with a history rich in cultures, ethnic groups and customs and a wide variety of building styles and landscapes. The city’s heritage values are in the same class as other historic cities in Israel and around the world. Heritage is an integral part of city life and its perception in the eyes of future generations. It is our job to convey to them the totality of its values and integrate them into modern urban life in their various aspects: culture, education, urban quality of life, tourism, construction and planning. Assimilating heritage issues in terms of planning and construction is a serious task for the Preservation Department and Urban Planning Administration.
The Urban Planning Administration is currently investing efforts in mapping heritage values through conservation studies and promoting urban building schemes such as the Wadi Nisnas plan, the coastal neighborhoods plan and others. At the end of 2018 the study project went into high gear, and today studies are being conducted in many historical spaces in the city, outsourced to the best conservation architects in Israel. An expression of the tremendous wealth of local heritage sites, the studies in each region relate to the architectural, historical, scenic and cultural aspects. Their findings will ultimately form a clear and extensive infrastructure for preparing an inclusive preservation plan for the city. The Haifa 2030 team is supporting, motivating and integrating them into the programs in its trust.
Current Status
Supervising the editing of conservation studies (Hadar, Ein Hayam, Carmel, Bat Galim, Downtown, Wadi Nisnas and the eastern outskirts)
Hadar: Eight studies underway.
Ein Hayam: Study in final execution stage.
Carmel: Five studies completed.
Three studies approaching end.
Six studies in execution process.
Bat Galim: Study currently being updated; Since only a small part of the neighborhood has been surveyed thus far, the rest is required.
Wadi Nisnas: Study is complete, but yet to be approved. Under review prior to a hearing of the Conservation Committee (as part of the urban building scheme).
b) Urban Design Language
The Master Plan for urban design language has been launched, led by the Landscape Planning Department and in cooperation with a steering team from Haifa 2030 that initiated the program. The plan moved into the execution stage after several meetings with all the relevant municipal elements. Its goal is to formulate a unique design language for the city of Haifa in general, and for specific complexes within it in particular, in order to make a local statement, reduce renovation and maintenance costs over the years, and streamline the connection between the planning units and municipal operational units.
SECTION D: The renewal of special complexes in the city – “flagship projects”
Haifa Municipality is investing great energy at various levels to strengthen and restore rundown urban spaces.
- Regenerating the Talpiot Market and the historic market structure
The main project: Talpiot Market and the Sirkin complex. The complex covers about 140 dunams (35 acres) and has a diverse population in terms of religious affiliation, civic status and age range. The municipality sees the Sirkin complex as an urban focus with social, architectural and commercial values that are expressed in an accessible and inviting urban space for a variety of populations, with an emphasis on local residents, communities, business and social entrepreneurs, and on visitors and tourists.
At the center of the complex stands the market building, a spectacular Bauhaus building designed by the architect Moshe Gerstel built in 1940. Over the years, the building has undergone quite a few upheavals that tell part of Haifa’s story, and has stood in a state of neglect for many years. It is now undergoing a rehabilitation and renewal process conducted by architect Guy Arbel. The six-story structure will be rehabilitated in a gradual process. In the first stage, the lower floors (-2, -1 and the entrance floor) are being restored, including the active market. Meanwhile, planning the restoration of the upper floors intended for commerce and public needs is advancing, with the goal of turning the building into a social neighborhood center, a home for neighborhood residents and its diverse communities, as well as the Bauhaus Center that will coordinate the architectural preservation activities in Haifa as a whole.
Alongside the building’s restoration, the open market complex on Sirkin Street has in the past two years become a pilgrimage center for culinary enthusiasts, business owners, artists and social activists who attract a large and diverse audience to the market and neighborhood. The municipality is promoting the renovation of building facades, including replacing old awnings covering commercial areas according to the design of architect Ela Sar. In the past year, seating areas and parklets have also been prepared for the welfare of visitors to the complex.
Over the past two years, the municipality has directed considerable budgets to the market complex for rehabilitating the infrastructure, putting the open public areas into use, developing public seating areas and increasing residents’ and visitors’ sense of personal security.
In February 20, the 1/2560/ program was presented for the Talpiot Market complex in the Hadar neighborhood. The plan, initiated and promoted by the municipality, was prepared by planner Tami Gavrieli and architect Guido Segal. As part of the strategic plan, the number of housing units in the complex will greatly increase by adding floors to the existing buildings while maintaining the unique conservation values, and public services provided to local residents will be strengthened.
- Renewing commercial streets in Hadar
Herzl and HeHalutz Streets – As part of the planned renewal of Hadar for 2022, renovating the public spaces of Halutz and Herzl streets: organizing seating places in conjunction with a project to renovate facades, remove hazards, install lighting and shading, and regulate the use of sidewalks.
Nordau Pedestrian Street – In recent years, the generous public space of the street, filled with shade-giving trees, has been neglected and many shops have closed. The Haifa 2030 team is initiating a regeneration project for the street, which will restore the historical and natural connection between the Binyamin park and the Technion park, and transform it into an inviting urban space again with an abundance of seating, shops and cafes that will realize the economic potential of the street, many of whose homes are earmarked for preservation.
Shapira complex – As part of the work on the artists’ project in the city, five stores have been renovated at a basic level (plaster, plumbing) in the Shapira complex located between Bialik Street and HeHalutz Street. The five properties stood empty and neglected for years, and being partially hidden from the street attracted junkies and criminals.
As part of the call for proposals calling on artists to build creative complexes in various areas of the city, the properties were offered as creative spaces (studios), and these days are being presented to artists who have been accepted into the project. The selected artists were vetted by an external professional committee, and sorted according to their professional-artistic ability as well as motivation to work in a renewable area with all its challenges and opportunities.
The area between Shapira, Herzl, HeHaluz and Bialik streets was enclosed in the late 1920s as a commercial structure, in order to make it easier for the Jewish residents of Hadar HaCarmel who were exposed to attacks and gunfire. The commercial center was intended to provide neighborhood residents with their needs and reduce the danger to their lives. Today the municipality’s vision is to turn it into a creative art center.
The experience of art complexes in Israel and abroad shows that such a complex will benefit the artists themselves, and will also have a positive effect on its immediate, currently neglected surroundings. The complex has been designated for conservation.
Gan Binyamin – The process of executing conservation work on the building and preparing it for use as a café has begun, in cooperation with the municipality’s Property Division. This is a landmark in the city’s life when the money is found to renovate a building designated for conservation. The Preservation Department is dictating the guidelines, and the city is taking responsibility. May there be more like them.
3. Promoting immediately transformative tactical urban projects
Hanamal Street – Due to the corona pandemic and the street’s convenient topography, sections have been closed to traffic and turned into pedestrian malls. Among other things, benches were set in place, vegetation planted, lighting arranged, and gates were installed that closed the entrances to the complex. The goal was to benefit the residents and maintain the lifespan of businesses. As the third corona wave subsided, new businesses began to open on the street: the Wish List store, which moved to a much larger space and cooperates with local designers; a new wine bar and store, Terroir; Clothing design store, Fila – and this is just the beginning…
Khatib Street – It can already be said that the Khatib project is a project that changes paradigms and mindset patterns, and sets a new standard regarding the link between hilly topography and thriving businesses. Khatib Street is a stairway connecting Shivat Zion Street to Paris Square. Nearby are the Maronite Church, the District Court and government offices. The street’s renovation reflects the municipality’s approach to such spaces in terms of proper maintenance, garbage disposal, renewing and refreshing materials – in short, improving the city’s appearance. The project included adding colorful lighting to the street that was dark and uninviting, creating open seating for all, adding vegetation and planting trees. During the work, trust was built with the street’s residents, with existing business owners (The Bulgari restaurant, wine bar, upholsterer, glazier, pizza, theater) and with entrepreneurs who have recently opened or are about to open new businesses soon (a Flamenco school, branch of the Si Joli store, a new branch of Breada bakery, and the Davka ceramics studio). One of the expressions of trust was taking the local residents’ advice by closing the street to vehicles and finding alternative parking solutions. Khatib Street was deliberately chosen, to deal with the various challenges it posed by virtue of its structure in the renewal and renovation process. The success of this project, which required complex work with residents, business owners, planning and licensing officials in the municipality, is the catalyst for opening new businesses and renovating and renewing many other places around the city.
Graffiti and art in the public sphere – In Purim 2021, the municipality in collaboration with Ze.MaNish Studio produced a graffiti event on Shivat Zion Street with the participation of 30 artists from the city and around the country. The graffiti art spreading through the streets of Hadar and the lower city has created hiking trails that attract city travelers, visitors and tourists, as well as encouraging the opening of new businesses. The municipality seeks to promote projects derived from strategic and long-term plans that also help make a difference in the short term. The corona era has raised public and planners’ awareness of the need for open and safe public spaces, which can be adapted to the rules established from time to time.
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Appendix: Basic principles of planning policy and municipal decisions in light of the perception of sustainability – environment, society and economy
We live in a world in which it is not possible to conduct matters far from the public eye. If it was once possible to hide how much managers earn, or the value of tenders or how the resources of a company or authority are allocated – no more. Today everything is exposed and known. Those who understand this use transparency to criticize themselves, to correct themselves and hold an open discussion about controversial matters. Whoever fights this effectively wages a battle lost in advance.
Stakeholders are all the elements that influence or are influenced by the activity. This situation requires that a dialogue be formed that will allow continuous cooperation with parties that are not always comfortable or easy to work with. It requires a very large investment of resources and learning, but ensures management that takes into account far more considerations and a broad and long-term view of the activity. It is a tool that allows allaying objections, an essential tool in risk management.
When adopting the sustainability approach, commitment to a system of ethical rules is required. Once you consider three bottom lines – environment, society and economy – and not just the bottom line of the economy (money), you basically agree that some things are not worth doing, even if they can be very profitable. Ethics must be part of the DNA of every sustainable endeavor.
Not to settle for the obligations imposed by the law. Compliance with the law is the bare minimum, and that’s obvious. You don’t get points for obeying the law.
This means taking responsibility practically, not just declaratively. If I’m responsible for anything, and something’s wrong or gone wrong, I cannot apologize and move on like nothing happened. I have a duty to make sure it is fixed.
All programs are accompanied by teams that deal with the social aspect of the programs (social consultants and public involvement consultants), and the Haifa 2030 team accompanies renewal processes in their entirety.
