Planners split on where to build Haredi enclaves
Planners agree that the current situation of high birth rates and overcrowding among the ultra-Orthodox population is not sustainable. However, there is continuing argument as to the correct solution to their housing needs, and, in particular, where to build homes for this ever-growing sector. [There are already apartments in ramat beit shemesh's new area being built]
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Many town planners agree that separate neighbourhoods should be planned for the ultra-Orthodox to practice their individual lifestyle, but they are divided as to whether the correct means is to build wholly separate towns. |
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Anecdotal evidence seems to support the idea that these towns have difficulty supporting themselves economically, and require regular subsidies from the government. [This does not apply to Ramat Bet Shemesh.]
Currently, two new towns are under consideration for the ultra-Orthodox population, each of which, in the initial phase, is designed for about 50,000 inhabitants.
- Planning for an extension of Harish-Katzir in the north is moving ahead rapidly, and, by next year, the Housing and Construction Ministry will market land for about 6,000 housing units.
- About one year ago, the National Planning and Construction Council approved the establishment of the new town of Kasif, near Tel Arad, in the northern Negev.
Local interested parties, and others, commissioned a study on the effect that the establishment of a separate ultra-Orthodox town in Harish would have, and this concluded that homogeneous, ultra-orthodox towns can develop socio-economic ills (poverty), and decided that heterogeneous towns, combining the ultra-Orthodox and other population groups, enjoy a better economic balance than exclusively ultra-Orthodox towns.
