Mosaic Communities Ramle Old City
Restoration and Preservation Project

Mosaic Communities Ramle Old City Restoration and Preservation Project was initiated with the intention of gaining access to old properties for restoration and preservation, and where properties have been completely destroyed, to build new structures that reflect the tradition and character of the Ramle's history.

This work will be done in the context of providing housing and community outreach for a mixed population of Arabs and Jews thus providing a basis for social change both within the old city area and the Ramle municipal area as a whole.

Through rejuvenation of the Old city for all the residents it will be possible to develop a base for tourism and it's attendant economic activity. By preserving the heritage of the Old City of Ramle a new pride of place could emerge for both Arabs and Jews in the city, in much the same manner that all residents of the renovated German Quarter of Haifa (the area of Ben Gurion Avenue) are proud of its revival.

It is important to note that currently this part of the city is overcrowded and underdeveloped and existing plans for the area disregard the city's historical identity.

Research into Old City Properties
The research process will begin this autumn with the development of an outline plan defining criteria for research, and focusing initially on buildings considered most feasible for development in the near future. The outline plan will be discussed by a special planning committee which is in the process of being formed.

The research will take as its point of departure a study of the historical land registry documents (Nesah Tabu Histori) of the properties considered most feasible for Mosaic Community developments. A database and archive will be compiled regarding each property. This will enable the growth of a development plan for the Old City.

Over the years this database and archive represent a unique documentary database for the City of Ramle, and, combined with information from government sources, used to prepare housing and community development proposals.

Additional Aspects of the Project
In order to realize the vision of revitalizing the Old City with a mixed Arab/Jewish environment, it willl be necessary in parallel to the reseach being conducted to build a Arab/Jewish Ramle constituency to support the restoration of the old city. The first stage in developing such a constituency will be the creation of a steering committee made up of local residents to work together with the planning committee and develop public awareness of the project. Mosaic Communities other activities being carried out at Ramle's Mosaic House will also serve in developing this necessary constituency.

Gaining the Financial resources and the agreement of all parties concerned will be a hurdle, but it is hoped that the research plan will become a useful basis for applying for funding, for governmental support and for private investment. In addition, to facilitate the process, and generate publicity, an international architectural competition will be held for the renovation/restoration of selected properties and their surrounding areas.