Higher Education at Ground Level
Beersheba has developed at an accelerated pace in a modernist planning style that disregarded the surrounding desert. Arieh Sharon’s 1950 plan aimed to combine principles of a garden city with neighborhoods separated by green buffer zones; however, these zones remained desolate and became open wounds in the urban fabric. Wide asphalt surfaces serving private vehicles took over the public space, and the function of community shopping centers deteriorated with the rise of large malls. Connections between neighborhoods weakened, and the shift to soft mobility became a planning challenge. Over the years, a wave of residents left the city center in favor of newer neighborhoods. Today, Beersheva is in need of urban renewal based on a young population. Ben-Gurion University, which functions as an isolated bubble, is anticipated to expand, and presents an opportunity to strengthen the connection between the students and the city.
The project proposes urban renewal based on the student population through the creation of campuses along Rager Boulevard, diverse housing, improved public transportation, and encouragement of walkability, all aimed at attracting students to remain and contribute to long-term urban growth.
My focus is on the southern end of Rager Boulevard, where neighborhood A, the central business district, and the old city meet, where I created a new urban outline that connects the different neighborhoods. The goal is to create an accessible living environment for students, characterized by proximity to the campus and housing within walking distance. I designed the space to increase the use of public transportation through multiple intersections and proximity to light and heavy rail stations. Additionally, I planned a street section with wide, shaded sidewalks and climate-sensitive design that takes into account wind and shade. I also developed a network of small gardens and a central urban plaza, aimed at providing comfortable and pleasant urban spaces for both students and residents.
