Developing New Communities

Mosaic Communities fosters the creation of new communities, new pockets of civil society in Israel where all peoples are equal, embracing the unique potential that comes with diversity.

As part of this goal, Mosaic Communities' focuses its efforts in two main areas: The "Search for Land", sites on which to develop the new communities, and "Exploration of Conceptual Guidelines" for Mosaic Communities.

The Search for Land
Research is ongoing to identify sites for three pilot projects, in the north, center, and south of the country.

Once a potential site has been secured by MOSAIC COMMUNITIES, the process of applying for development approval and finalizing site specific conceptual plans will begin in parallel to securing funding sources.

During this phase a prospectus will be prepared and investment opportunities offered to interested parties. Marketing of the new community to potential residents will also begin at this stage.

In some cases it is likely to take 3-5 years to secure zoning changes and planning permission. Legal steps may be necessary during the development phase.

Exploring Conceptual Guidelines for Mosaic Communities
In order to explore conceptual guidelines for the new integrative communities, the organization has initiated a series design workshops to accompany the democratic principles that guide MOSAIC COMMUNITIES in its goals.

The first such workshop was carried out in 2004 and targeted the creative energies of 15-16 year old Arab and Jewish youth in Ramle. At the end of the two-day intensive design workshop the youths came up with their own conceptual guidelines for new communities.

MOSAIC COMMUNITIES hopes to carry out a series of such conceptual workshops on a yearly basis targeting a sample range of individuals and communities. Through these workshops the organization hopes to develop a viable method for the process of facilitating community involvement in the planning of the new communities once a site has been secured.

As groups of potential residents join together to create their new communities these exercises will serve as guideline examples of possible conceptual responses for the new communities.