The NGO Emek Shaveh is promoting a master plan for the management of ancient sites in Jerusalem. As is widely recognized, there is a need for a comprehensive preservation and development plan for archaeological sites in the Historic Basin which encompasses the Old City of Jerusalem and its adjacent sites. The absence of such a plan poses an obstacle to maintaining Jerusalem as a pluralistic city. In recent years, special interest groups have been increasing their struggle to control ancient sites at the expense of preserving the diverse heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem. The aim of the master plan is to protect the city’s rich and diverse cultural legacy.

The plan will present criteria for the management and representation of historic and archaeological structures based on Israeli law and international conventions pertaining to antiquities, particularly those of ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) and UNESCO. The Steering Committee will also address the need to balance priorities of conservation and heritage with those of planning and development. A communiqué issued by Emek Shaveh says: “We invite professionals, academics, clergy members and other stake-holders to participate in drafting a document of principles from the following disciplines: archeology, city planning, architecture, education, conservation, and more. The group is open to residents who live in the Historic Basin.”

The first meeting will be held in Jerusalem in October 2015. The Steering Committee will convene in Jerusalem once a month for five months to formulate a preliminary document. In the spring of 2016 Emek Shaveh will hold a public conference that will present the recommendations of the Steering Committee and which will include presentations and in a discussion session.

The deadline for applying for membership in the Steering Committee is 27 September 2015. Please send a short CV/resume and a paragraph describing your relationship to the subject to talya@alt-arch.org