Military Landscapes: From Restricted to Restored

Open spaces in Israel are an inseparable part of the nation’s cultural heritage, encompassing archaeological sites and historic landmarks that preserve the land’s ancient landscapes. However, approximately 40% of these protected open spaces – nature reserves, national parks and forests – are under military control and function as military training areas, creating a conflict between the citizens’ fundamental right to access green spaces and the security activity in these areas. This highlights the potential of the Palmachim region, which spans 45,000 dunams (45 square kilometers) along the coastal strip between the Sorek River estuary and Ashdod Port, which has been a military area since the British Mandate. It is currently the site of an air force base that restricts passage, prohibits entry, and denies those residing nearby access to this slice of nature. The breached green space functions as a significant coastal buffer zone between the coastal cities and the sea.

The project proposes a renewed consideration of the closed Palmachim area, transforming it from a physical, scenic and human barrier into a space creating spatial justice, which allows preserving the area’s unique identity while making it accessible and restoring it at varying levels of intervention, without compromising military and security needs.

The project is structured around three routes: The Sea Trail, Sycamore Space, and the Quarry Path.

The Sea Trail recreates the historical layers of Nabi Rubin, crosses Sorek Stream National Park, and opens access to the beach. Sycamore Space highlights the historic sycamore trees and focuses on restoring the drainage sands. The Quarry Path unveils the layout of abandoned calcareous sandstone quarries, offering opportunities to experience different restoration sites of the ecological system at the foot of Palmachim military airbase.

The proposed solution seeks to bridge existing scenic and human typologies through extensive and sensitive planning, creating a gentle intervention in the landscape for both people and nature. The Palmachim area embodies all the stories that define it, with different historical narratives arising through the exposure of its layers, and bringing to light the disruptions that have ingrained over time.