Evolution of the 'Modern' Transitory Shelter and Unrecognized Settlements of the Negev Bedouin

Abstract

This study reviews the factors involved in the transition from the traditional Bedouin 1 black tent to the tin shack. 2 Many economic, social, and macro-political factors are involved in this transition. It is shown that in functional terms the tin shack is very similar to the traditional tent. However, compared with the traditional tent, the climatic performance of the tin shack is much worse, amplifying ambient temperature extremes, and increasing respiratory related complications. In spite of this poor performance, tin shacks have become the mainstream dwelling form of Bedouin settlements in the Negev during the last three decades. Evolution of the 'Modern' Transitory Shelter VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2 NOMADIC PEOPLES (2011) 35Isaac A. Meir is an architect, town planner and archaeologist. For twenty-six years he has been on the faculty of the Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. He focuses on environment responsive, sustainable architecture and planning, primarily in drylands and deserts, and on the evolution of vernacular architecture and technology.

Transformative Practices within Mechanisms of Control: “Recognizing” Unrecognized Arab-Bedouin Villages in Israel

“…Between these poles exists recent research which suggests that ABRC marks a change in approach by planning unrecognized villages on-site and consulting with Bedouin representatives. At the same time, these studies find problems with the incomplete recognition of Bedouin lands within the Council's municipal borders (Meir and Stavi 2011) and persisting inequalities in the provision of basic services, including schools, to ABRC villages (Rudnitzky and Abu-Ras 2012). Some studies acknowledge internal barriers to development within ABRC localities, such as residents' rejection of Sub-District Plan 14/4/23, and their opposition to the costs associated with building homes legally, including paying taxes, hiring an architect, and obtaining a building permit (Shmueli and Khamaisi 2015; Shmueli and Khamaisi 2011).…”