Since 2011, the controversial Jerusalem Light Rail system has been a driving force behind the renewal and reintegration of some areas of the old city. In addition, the Jerusalem Business District is being planned as the city's new economic hub.
By Ricardo Mota for Cities of the Future
The Jerusalem stand at the Smart City World Congress last month brought to my attention an interesting reality about the ancient city.
Inaugurated in August 2011, the first light rail line in Israel has been a source of contention right from the start — financial, physical, and political. The budget for the project climbed dramatically from an initial estimate of €120 million to a final cost of around €925 million. The construction caused major disruptions in the city’s traffic flow and generated elevated levels of air and sound pollution that were vocally criticized by residents. And a 2009 report by the United Nations Human Rights Council described the new infrastructure as serving disputed settlements.
Fast forward to 2015 and the light rail moves around 140,000 passengers a day and has since become the heart of Jerusalem’s transportation network, connecting Muslim, Ultra-Orthodox and Israeli communities.
![Jerusalem Light Rail By Matanya – (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0]](/files/img/Jerusalem_Light_Rail02-800.jpg)
FULL STORY: Can Jerusalem’s Light Rail Pull the City’s Past Into the Future?
The Road to Prosperity: Real-Time Approaches to Economic Improvement
People have been driving about 1% less per year for the last 9 years. What can public-private partnerships for transportation alternatives do to stoke this fire?
Jerusalem Mayor Wants BRT Finish for Light Rail System
The mayor of Jerusalem is seeking to cancel plans for expanding the city's light rail system in favor of buses, which he is calling a less expensive and more flexible alternative.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl
The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.
Trump: Federal Government Won’t Pay for California HSR
The President has targeted federal funding for the California bullet train project since his first administration.
San Francisco Enhances Urban Planning Initiatives with Green Infrastructure
San Francisco incorporates green infrastructure in its city development initiatives, elevating the importance of sustainability in urban planning.
Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan
The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions