Jerusalem 5800 English

The Metropolitan Jerusalem Master Plan

In order to develop awareness to

the importance of urban forests,

a system for preservation and

cultivation of these forests should

be established on a neighborhood,

community, and school level.

planned in order to avoid damage to the

forest itself and allow a cohesive ecological

makeup that incorporates developed areas

with forested areas.

In parts of the forest, there will be

designated areas for gardening and

clearings where annual and perennial

trees can grow as part of the vision

for biodiversity. The forest area will be

planned in a manner that will allow it to

be used for harvesting runoff and the

reclamation of water as needed – each

forest will have a designated area for

channeling runoff water underground and

improving the city’s water balance. Finally,

the plans for urban forests aspire to create

a continuum of open spaces both inside

the city and out.

Urban forests will include trees,

shrubs, herbaceous plants and perennials

belonging to the groups of plants found

locally and suitable to the metropolitan

Jerusalem climate. The forests will include

fruit trees typical to the Land of Israel

including fig, pomegranate, carob, olive

and almond trees. It will also include

grapes vines, mulberry bushes, and other

edible, medicinal, and herbal plants.

Among them annuals and perennials,

such as sage, fenugreek, mallow, Judean

wormwood and tens of others. As much

as is possible, effort will be made to ensure

and increase the diversity and amount of

wild mushrooms.

The ability to visit the urban forest

will be planned for ahead of time. Plans

will incorporate green roads for vehicle,

bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. For those

visiting the forest – residents and tourists

alike – visiting sites, places to stay, and

lookout points will be built, as well as

the restoration of springs and cisterns.

Knowledge of the region’s wildlife will

allow for establishing birdwatching and

animal watching points, which will include

places for feeding and giving water to

them.

The Layout of Open Areas

As stated, the Jerusalem 5800 Plan

strives to bring urban agriculture back into

the metropolis. Urban forests may serve

as an important focal point for urban

agricultural projects, and planning ahead

will enable designating defined areas of the

forests for agriculture.

Caring for the urban forest should

involve all of the city’s residents. The

forests and community gardens are

a vital environmental resource for

the community’s quality of life. They

contribute to improved quality of the air

and to the biodiversity and present an

ideal location for social and educational

activities in the heart of nature. The green

expanses complement the residential

areas and safeguard the relationship

between people and the land on which

they settle – and thus urban nature is

founded. Developing an awareness to

the importance of urban forests can

create a system of forest preservation

and cultivation on a neighborhood and

community level. Schools can also be

encouraged to adopt adjacent forests and

to preserve and cultivate them as part

of the school’s education for culture and

environment. Thus, the community can

preserve and cultivate its own gathering

place. The best situation would be

one wherein this place is adjacent to

the neighborhood, but models could

be created where communities and

neighborhood adopt open areas in or out

of the city.

The border between the city and the forest is a

meeting point that can serve several ecological

and cultural purposes.

The Layout of Open Areas