Key Intel
Incremental Progress: The report advocates for strategic projects that can begin immediately at the local level, even without a comprehensive political solution, to improve daily life and build foundations for a future state.
Six-Sector Framework: A holistic spatial vision is presented, focusing on integrated development across six key sectors: governance, environment, cities, transportation, energy, and water.
Addressing Fragmentation: The vision aims to overcome current challenges like territorial fragmentation (Areas A, B, C), lack of contiguity between West Bank and Gaza, and constraints on resource management and movement.
Sustainable Development: Emphasis is placed on sustainable resource management, including protecting watersheds, improving solid waste management, ensuring access to clean water and resilient energy, and planning urban growth to respect environmental resources.
Economic and Social Betterment: The proposed infrastructure projects are designed to foster economic development, create jobs, enhance mobility, improve quality of life, and strengthen security for Palestinians.
Summary
This comprehensive report by the RAND Corporation outlines a long-term spatial vision for Palestine, proposing a pathway to improve the daily lives of Palestinians and lay the groundwork for a potential future independent state. The plan emphasizes that impactful, practical projects in critical infrastructure and resource management can commence in the short term, even in the absence of a final political settlement, fostering incremental progress. The core of the vision is an integrated design approach addressing six interdependent sectors: governance, environment, cities, transportation, energy, and water, aiming for a revitalized and sustainable Palestine.
The study acknowledges the urgent need for solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in light of recent events, and suggests that technical and infrastructural development can contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous future. It details current challenges within each of the six sectors, such as fragmented governance, environmental degradation, high population density in cities, inadequate transportation networks, energy dependency, and water scarcity. For each challenge, transformative projects and initiatives are proposed, ranging from improving border crossings and land ownership mapping to developing riparian parks, new cities, multimodal transit systems, renewable energy sources, and efficient water management systems.
Ultimately, the report serves as a detailed roadmap intended to stimulate dialogue and rational planning among all stakeholders. It highlights that while overarching political solutions are complex, tangible improvements in infrastructure and resource management are achievable and can build momentum towards stability and economic viability. The vision is presented as flexible and adaptable, allowing for projects to proceed opportunistically as political agreement and financing become available.
Report Guide
Overview of the Report’s Structure
This comprehensive report by RAND Corporation is structured to first provide context and methodology, then delve into detailed analyses and visions for six critical sectors, illustrate the vision in specific urban contexts, and finally offer conclusions. The core of the report is as follows:
Introduction (Chapter 1, Pages 1-7 ): Sets the stage by explaining the urgency and rationale for a new spatial vision, the focus on six sectors, the project-based approach, and the methodology.
Governance (Chapter 2, Pages 9-16 ): Discusses jurisdiction, borders, land management, and administrative capacity.
Environment (Chapter 3, Pages 17-25 ): Focuses on watershed protection, waste management, agricultural resources, and open spaces.
Cities (Chapter 4, Pages 27-36 ): Addresses urban expansion, population growth, housing, economic centers, and civic institutions.
Transportation (Chapter 5, Pages 37-45 ): Outlines plans for roads, rail, public transit, ports, and an airport to improve internal and international connectivity.
Energy (Chapter 6, Pages 47-54 ): Covers energy sources (including renewables and gas), networks, transmission, and administrative reforms for energy security.
Water (Chapter 7, Pages 55-63 ): Details strategies for water access, sanitation, wastewater reuse, and sustainable water management.
The Spatial Vision in Six Cities (Chapter 8, Pages 65-109 ): Provides concrete illustrations of how the sectoral visions coalesce in specific locations: North Jordan Valley, Jericho, Nablus, East Jerusalem, Hebron, and Gaza City.
Conclusion (Chapter 9, Pages 111-114 ): Summarizes the potential for renewed dialogue and the incremental plan for moving forward.
1. Introduction (Pages 1-7)
The report begins by highlighting the urgent need for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and proposes that spatial planning and infrastructure development can significantly improve Palestinian lives and support a long-term vision for an independent state. It emphasizes a project-based approach, allowing for immediate, incremental steps even without a comprehensive political settlement. The analysis is framed around six interconnected sectors: governance, environment, cities, transportation, energy, and water, using an integrated design process. The authors state their goal is to provide a technical tool to aid diplomacy and rational planning.
2. Governance (Pages 9-16)
Vision: Palestine possessing the necessary jurisdiction, good governance, security, and rule of law for infrastructure projects, territorial contiguity, and permeability for movement of goods and people.
Current Situation: Challenges include no consensus on borders, fragmentation of the West Bank (Areas A, B, C), no land connection between West Bank and Gaza for most Palestinians, Israeli control over Area C constraining development, unclear land ownership, and ongoing Palestinian governance and security challenges.
Transformative Projects: Focus on borders and jurisdiction (e.g., agreement on borders, phased Palestinian control of Area C), improved border crossings with Palestinian management and technology, and administrative capacity building (e.g., land ownership mapping, upgraded planning institutions).
Feasible Now: Building institutional capacity (e.g., Ministry of International Cooperation and Planning), continuing upgrades to existing border crossings (e.g., Allenby), and expanding land tenure resolution efforts.
3. Environment (Pages 17-25)
Vision: A clean environment supporting population and economy, protected watersheds, global standards for solid waste management, responsible agriculture, preserved parks, and sustainability for future generations, accounting for climate change.
Current Situation: Fragile and poorly managed watersheds threatened by climate change and pollution; inadequate solid waste management with insufficient infrastructure and unsanitary dumpsites; extensive rubble and explosive hazards in Gaza and parts of West Bank.
Transformative Projects: Environmental zoning including riparian parks and ecological bridges; improved solid waste management (collection, processing, recycling, landfills, waste-to-energy); rubble removal and explosive hazard mitigation; establishing agricultural development zones; and administrative strengthening (e.g., environmental protection agency).
Feasible Now: Projects addressing transborder watershed management due to mutual interest; specific underway projects like the Jenin waste-to-energy plant; incremental local solid waste cleanup projects transitioning into parks; building solid waste transfer stations in Areas A/B and less sensitive parts of Area C; and rubble/ordnance removal in Gaza.
4. Cities (Pages 27-36)
Vision: Urban expansion accommodating population growth using best practices, unconstrained by current area divisions, optimizing quality of life, prosperity, mobility, safety, and minimizing environmental degradation.
Current Situation: High population growth and density, especially in Gaza; disjointed and poorly managed urban growth due to Area C permit restrictions; unplanned development threatening environmental resources; and significant destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza requiring special planning.
Transformative Projects: Infrastructure-driven urban growth with transit-oriented development hubs; urban renewal in main city centers; construction of three new cities in Jordan Valley; development of civic institutions (government campus, national stadium/museum, universities, hospitals); investment in economic centers (industrial zones, central business districts, tourism hubs); and administrative improvements like regional planning councils and smart growth incentives.
Feasible Now: Small-scale place-making interventions (e.g., reclaiming lots for parks); linking transit investments to land use at existing bus terminals; upgrades to existing urban infrastructure for compact, mixed-use development; building symbols of state in Area A (e.g., performing arts center, museum); developing industrial zones with public-private partnerships; supporting the new Ministry of Industries for special economic zones; initiating tourism hub development where mutual benefits exist.
5. Transportation (Pages 37-45)
Vision: Reliable, convenient, secure multimodal transportation (bus, train, air, sea) for people and goods within Palestine, with neighbors, and internationally; a West Bank-Gaza link; direct access to an international airport and markets.
Current Situation: Fragmented, poorly planned, and poorly repaired network impeding movement; Israeli checkpoints and settler-only roads creating uncertainty and hindering economy; no usable West Bank-Gaza connection for most Palestinians; constrained international access with no Palestinian airport or major cargo port.
Transformative Projects: New public transport infrastructure (multimodal transit hubs, rail network including intercity and heavy rail, Bus Rapid Transit lines); improved roads and internal connectivity (West Bank-Gaza connector road, Wadi Naar bridges, upgrades to Road 60 and Salah ad-Din Road); new ports of entry (international airport in Jordan Valley or Gaza, Gaza commercial and fishery seaports, new/expanded border crossings); and enhanced transportation administration (coordinating institution, modern technology, coordination with Israel, trade agreements).
Feasible Now: Building institutional capacity for coordinating existing transport services and micromobility; introducing BRT lines for inner-city mobility and intercity buses to new multimodal hubs in selected areas; upgrading less controversial segments of important road corridors.
6. Energy (Pages 47-54)
Vision: A robust, resilient energy sector ensuring adequate supply for quality of life and independent economic development; a modern network for diverse domestic and imported energy; full exploitation of renewables; use of Mediterranean gas resources; and energy efficiency in Gaza's reconstruction.
Current Situation: Inadequate energy supply and infrastructure, near-total dependence on external sources (mainly Israel); insufficient transmission infrastructure and fragmented utility governance; stalled development of new gas infrastructure (e.g., Gaza Marine field); unsustainable utility governance with high illegal connections and low bill collection; slow progress on renewable energy despite potential, with Area C restrictions hindering solar projects.
Transformative Projects: Diversified energy sources (large-scale solar PV, Gaza offshore gas exploration/extraction, upgraded/new power plants, waste-to-energy plants like Jenin's Zaharat Al Finjan); upgraded energy networks and transmission (upgraded distribution companies, new substations, gas pipelines, continuous high-voltage transmission line along West Bank ridgeline, international cross-border feeder lines); and administrative improvements (unified power authority, cost-reflective tariffs, updated building codes for energy efficiency, frameworks for investment and operations, improved bill collection).
Feasible Now: Institutional building and best practices for existing networks (upgrading local distribution companies, improving rate collection, reducing transmission loss); capital projects like permitted new power plants and waste-to-energy projects; solar production in Area A and less contested parts of Areas B/C, and at local building/neighborhood scales.
7. Water (Pages 55-63)
Vision: Abundant access to water at global standards; efficient, sustainable, cost-effective water management with Palestinians as stewards of their resources; universal access to sewage linkages and appropriate sewage management; benefits from gray water recycling for the Palestinian economy; fair water pricing; and joint, equitable regional water management.
Current Situation: Insufficient access to fresh water below WHO minimums; joint Israeli-Palestinian water management (Joint Water Committee) hindering strategic planning; severe damage to Gaza's already inadequate water infrastructure; insufficient sewage access and infrastructure leading to pollution; underdeveloped irrigation and gray water reuse despite agricultural needs; and unsustainable water financing due to leakage, illegal connections, and unpaid bills.
Transformative Projects: Additional water sources (new wells, dams, short-term and large-scale desalination plants in Gaza and near Dead Sea); improved distribution (repair of leaking pipes, new national water carrier main pipe along West Bank ridgeline, new connections to Israeli water system); enhanced sanitation and reuse for agriculture/environment (development/expansion of wastewater processing facilities, reuse for irrigation); and water administration improvements (consolidating water utility companies, reforming payment systems with meters, legal reform for wastewater reuse).
Feasible Now: Institutional building, upgrading/repairing distribution infrastructure to reduce leakage and improve monitoring; studying and changing water allocation for agriculture to promote sustainable practices; building local service dams and wells in uncontroversial locations; supporting local-scale desalination technologies; and undertaking legislative/regulatory reform for wastewater reuse and repairing sewage networks.
8. The Spatial Vision in Six Cities (Pages 65-109)
This chapter grounds the abstract sectoral visions into concrete plans for six representative locations: North Jordan Valley, Jericho, Nablus, East Jerusalem, Hebron, and Gaza City. For each, the report provides an overview of the current status, a synthesized vision plan incorporating projects from all six sectors, and often a ground-level photo simulation of potential transformations.
Example: Gaza City (Pages 106-109 ): The plan for Gaza City addresses the immense task of post-conflict rebuilding through "incremental urbanism". This involves temporary housing and amenities organized around civic hubs that gradually mature, respecting pre-war parcel structures where possible. Long-term, Gaza is envisioned as a crucial commercial gateway with new ports, an airport, and gas import terminals, alongside restored ecological systems like Wadi Gaza.
9. Conclusion (Pages 111-114)
The report concludes by reiterating its aim to provide a pragmatic roadmap for transformation through collaborative planning, capable of catalyzing peace, stability, and sustainable development. It emphasizes that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been costly for all, and the current devastation underscores the need for new approaches. The spatial vision offers a realistic pathway for improving Palestinian lives through incremental projects that can begin now, even as long-term geopolitical challenges are addressed. The vision is flexible, allowing for opportunistic implementation based on need, political agreement, and financing. The authors call for engagement with Palestinian, Israeli, and global stakeholders to prioritize projects and further develop the plan.
Discussion Questions
Given the current political realities and historical context, how feasible is the "incremental progress" approach outlined in the report without a comprehensive political settlement first addressing core issues like borders and security?
The report emphasizes Palestinian stewardship of resources. What are the primary obstacles to achieving this, and how effectively can the proposed governance projects address them, particularly concerning Area C?
Considering the extensive damage in Gaza, how can the principles of "incremental urbanism" balance the immediate humanitarian needs with the long-term strategic development goals outlined for the territory?
The vision relies heavily on international support and cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians for many key projects (e.g., transboundary water management, energy interconnections). What mechanisms could foster such cooperation in a highly polarized environment?
While the report details numerous infrastructure projects, what are the potential socio-economic impacts on different segments of Palestinian society, and what measures might be needed to ensure equitable benefit distribution and mitigate potential negative consequences of large-scale development?
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