Planning in the Face of Power. Experiencing Power Dimensions in a Visioning Process in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Abstract

This article reflects on dimensions of power that occurred in visioning workshops with different stakeholder in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip. The overall argument developed in the article is that the visioning process-especially signs of spatial and institutional dimensions of power-occurred in both cases in a rather similar way, even though the conditions for planning and visioning are significantly different in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip. The visioning process illustrated that planning indeed shows signs of mediating space and power. Those power struggles are deeply rooted in the Palestinian planning history, the long-standing separation between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and the protracted conflict between Israel and Palestine. Experiencing oneself the 'dark side of planning' makes clear that planning is not benign and that planning can be a powerful tool for either progressive, pluralistic practices or oppressive ones, as means of regulation and control.

Impact of the Mobility Restrictions in the Palestinian Territory on the Population and the Environment

“…It considers two kinds of mobility restrictions: (i) the construction of the separation wall, which resulted in road closure, and (ii) checkpoints, which cause serious disturbances in inter-urban mobility. These restrictions started around thirty years ago with the installation of permanent or temporary checkpoints [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] and the construction of a separation wall [1][2][3][4][5]8]. They caused severe disturbances in the daily life of the population, with such adverse effects as anxiety, increased physical risk, time losses, and decreased employment opportunities.…”