Reconstruction of Beit Jibrin Village

The project aims to solidify the deep connection between Palestinians and their land, in response to the enduring impact of the Nakba, one of the most significant tragedies of the 20th century. This effort is focused on the village of Beit Jibrin, a displaced Palestinian village located northwest of Hebron. The design seeks to revive and honor the village’s rich history and heritage, while enabling sustainable growth and urban expansion for its original inhabitants.

Design Drivers and Historical Integration:

• Core Design concept:

The project is centered around the revival of Palestinian human heritage and the restoration of Palestinian identity, which was largely erased by the Israeli occupation. It aims to return original inhabitants to their land, allowing for a symbiosis of historical preservation and modern urban development.

The design does not ignore the era of occupation but integrates it as a historical layer in the overall narrative of the village and Palestine as a whole.

• Site and Topographical Influence:

Beit Jibrin’s location on the Hebron-Gaza Road influenced the design, as this road served as a central axis for the project.

The design respects the village’s original expansion patterns, which historically extended northwest and southwest towards Gaza, and applies these patterns in the planning of new residential areas.

• Residential Layout and Urban Design:

The project’s core is the old town, designed as the nucleus around which new neighborhoods are structured. Following old plans, the original four-family neighborhoods are honored in the new design. These neighborhoods maintain the same social bonds and privacy levels as the old town through a careful flow of movement from alleys to courtyards and public spaces.

A modular approach using 5×5 meter units derived from the old town’s structure was employed to create a variety of forms (L-shape, U-shape, linear), enabling similar spatial organizations to the historic layout.

• Building Height and Contour Respect:

Building heights were strategically planned according to contour lines. Taller buildings are placed in lower areas and shorter buildings in higher areas, preserving the village’s visual harmony. Heights are restricted to 2-3 stories to maintain the overall rural character.

Heritage Preservation and Modern Adaptation:

A key part of the design focuses on reconstructing parts of the old town, which was destroyed during the Nakba. This reconstruction is based on old maps, with an emphasis on maintaining the original boundaries of buildings and streets as per preservation charters (Washington charter).

Architectural elements such as doors and windows were carefully studied and adapted from old buildings in the Hebron area. Proportions of openings were preserved while enlarging them to suit modern living standards. Local materials were used to maintain the traditional aesthetic, with stone facades dominating the rebuilt structures.

• Tourist Path and Cultural Integration:

The old town is designed as a tourist route that starts at the Roman city and amphitheater, with a designated trail and a bridge allowing visitors to view the remains without causing damage. From there, the path leads to a large plaza, where the main street passes through a tunnel beneath, forming a seamless connection to the mosque square, where the remnants of the mosque have been preserved. The path then winds through the village, passing key historical landmarks such as the market square and the guesthouse building, which was the tallest structure before the Nakba.

The path is punctuated by rest stops every 200 meters, guiding visitors through residential areas that illustrate the evolution of Palestinian architecture, from simple houses to peasant homes and courtyards. It culminates at a cultural center inspired by Beit Jibrin’s famous caves, located along contour lines in the threshing floor area, with a lookout tower based on traditional Palestinian “montar” structures.

• Public Amenities and Transport:

Public squares in new residential areas are designed as hubs for services, including schools, markets, and banks, ensuring that the old town remains a vibrant center for visitors and residents alike.

Around the village, a ring road accommodates vehicular traffic, but within the village, roads are reserved for pedestrians. Parking is provided at both the beginning and end of the trails for ease of access.

• Additional Pathway for Nature and History Exploration:

An additional path was created outside the old town, offering a scenic route through caves and tombs, with camping areas and rest stops every 200 meters, enriching the visitor experience and connecting them to the natural and historical landscape of Beit Jibrin.

This project blends history, heritage, and modernity, aiming to restore Beit Jibrin as a living, thriving village that embodies both the memory of its past and the promise of its future.