Innovation and Paradigm Shift in Regional and National Spatial Policy

Daniel GatCenter for Urban and Regional Studies

Technion

From invention to innovation

Inventor entrepreneur

Problem/Need, backed by demand

Financing mechanism

The innovation diamond

Supportiveenvironment

Major Global ProblemsLooking for Solutions

• ENERGY SHORTAGE

• GLOBAL WARMING

• INTERNATIONAL TERROR …

The response so far:A matrix of innovations calledSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Or GREENTHINK

Major Israeli Problems• SAPATIO-SOCIO-ECONOMIC DIVERGENCE

• “TEL AVIV NATION” SYNDROME

• IMMIGRATION, EMMIGRATION AND THE BRAIN DRAIN

Proposed Response:

Paradigm Shift

in Regional and National Spatial Policy

The Best and the Rest

Source: Soffer & Bystrov

Versus the desired scenario

The existing scenario

A highly accessible country “One Nation, Indivisible…”

Sources: Cross Israel ExpresswayIsrael Rail Company

A Single National Growth Corridor

Cross Israel Expressway

Main Rail Network

Paradigm Shift in Regional and National Spatial Policy:A Matrix of Innovations including

• Creation of a Single Nationwide Growth Corridor• Accelerated Completion of Ground Transportation System:

• North and South Edges of the Trans Israel Expressway• North South and Eastern Extensions of the Israel-Rail Network

• Abandoning the “Park and Ride” Station Design Style • Transit Oriented Districts attached to Rail Stops (TOD)• Edu-TOD at Designated Key Locations• Such a policy twist will address the local and global

sustainability problems

Abandoning the “Park and Ride” Station Design Style: An extreme example at Rosh-Ha-ayin and Park Afek.

A primer on How Not to Design a Town

Here, there and everywhere

Train Stop

Town

Knowledge Park

3 km

A primer on what not to do: “A City is Not a Tree”, Christopher Alexander

Edu-TOD at Designated Key Locations:Station development including academic institute, non-

polluting employment and foot-accessible housingExisting

town center

Power center (committed)

Train Station (designated)

Housing, Town houses

Housing, condos

Housing, Detached and semi detached

Sapir Old Campus

Sapir New Campus

Knowledge Park flanking 24 hr

Pedestrian Street

Sderot ExerciseSource: Lior Vitkon

Joint-Venturing among Government BodiesTo accomplish this long overdue paradigm shift, Israeli

Institutional Environment dictates joint venture among the following Government Bodies:

• MEMI, the National Land Administration• The Israel National Rail Company• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development• The Internal Affairs Ministry (in charge of Master

Planning)My Assessment: The probability of such a JOINT-VENTURE arising from

within the government is . . .

Dilemma

• The probability of such a JOINT-VENTURE arising from within the government is practically ZERO

• Even a formal and published government decision, budgeted at 17 billion shekels, to upgrade the Negev (the Near South) has come to nothing

• My wild card: a joint venture among research universities . . . Or Preying?