Project entry 2020 for Middle East Africa

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    Growing Social Fabric in Palestine

    Framework for reconstruction of traditional cross vaults.

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    Growing Social Fabric in Palestine

    Design of Kafr 'Aqab historic center as a green cultural hub to serve the community of rural Jerusalem. The project will host at least five cultural institutions and will emphasize the environmental aspect of the historic fabric, such as the use of local material, collecting rainwater, thermal comfort, vegetation of the cemetery and green shared spaces for the local community. The historic center will be the lungs of a suffocating village from pollution.

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    Growing Social Fabric in Palestine

    The trail that connects historic centers of Kafr 'Aqab and Jaba' aims to question the notion of borders and relationships between built and natural environments. A series of walks and community based activities were organized by Riwaq inviting different participants from the nearby communities and interested hikers from diverse disciplines. The trail also included a number of activities including oral history sessions, storytelling, exhibitions, performances and recycling activities.

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    Growing Social Fabric in Palestine

    Kafr 'Aqab in 2018 before Preventive Conservation Interventions.

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    Growing Social Fabric in Palestine

    Kafr 'Aqab phases of physical interventions.

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    Growing Social Fabric in Palestine

    Local workers and craftsmen reconstructing demolished parts.

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    Growing Social Fabric in Palestine

    Community mobilization and public design concepts of the children playground.

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    Growing Social Fabric in Palestine

    Kafr 'Aqab after the first phase of preventive conservation. An artwork on the rooftop.

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    Growing Social Fabric in Palestine

    Hiking trail connecting Kafr 'Aqab to the surrounding villages.

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    Growing Social Fabric in Palestine

    Storytelling performance on myths and oral history of the town.

Last updated: November 13, 2021 Ramallah, Palestine

Environmental Approach of Revitalization

Because of the disastrous environmental and geopolitical problems that Kafr 'Aqab suffers from, an ecological approach was adopted.The approach analyzes the interaction among living systems and their environment, between human and non-human processes. The planning approach,therefore, proposed a well-designed water management system, landscape plan, greenery waste separation & thermal comfort programs taking advantage of available resources. The project also aims at reviving the water spring and reclaiming of farming lands around the historic center. Green roofs and collective agricultural community gardens are essential parts of the project design.

Environmental Approach of Revitalization

Because of the disastrous environmental and geopolitical problems that Kafr 'Aqab suffers from, an ecological approach was adopted.The approach analyzes the interaction among living systems and their environment, between human and non-human processes. The planning approach,therefore, proposed a well-designed water management system, landscape plan, greenery waste separation & thermal comfort programs taking advantage of available resources. The project also aims at reviving the water spring and reclaiming of farming lands around the historic center. Green roofs and collective agricultural community gardens are essential parts of the project design.