When contradicting public space regimes collide: The case of Palestinian Israeli towns

Abstract

The logic, meaning, and functioning of public spaces differ substantially between cultures and places. While Western public spaces are affected by democratic urban regimes and enhanced commercialisation, public spaces in traditional Muslim, Middle Eastern cities that were originally supervised by the community according to cultural norms are not easily adapted to contemporary changes. This paper thus analyses the unique case of Palestinian Israeli towns, reflecting the coexistence of these two sets of ruling public spaces, also affected by global economic changes and national political complexities. These towns consist of two different built environments: old neighbourhoods based on hierarchic, socially affiliated public spaces and new neighbourhoods created by the Israeli modern planning system, strictly dividing public spaces from private ones. The analysis provides a comparative framework discussing how this emerging urban condition affects the performance of public spaces. In addition, it enables a new perspective on Palestinian society, torn between tradition and Westernisation.