1st International Conference on Urban Planning in Palestine: Current Challenges & Future Prospects

Municipalities in Palestine are responsible for the planning and organization of cities and public services based on the Local Council Law No. (1) for the year 1997.The capacities within the municipalities vary tremendously throughout their different types, depending on availability of resources in addition to other factors. The study that was conducted on 17 municipalities representing the different types and sizes of municipalities in West Bank and Gaza Strip, in which a questionnaire was developed and focused on the following dimensions: The legal framework: 1) The institutional framework. 2) Awareness (institutional and public) of the importance of planning and community participation. In addition, the study has drafted out the good and bad planning practices within municipalities; these findings will draw the framework of what is needed to enhance and develop the planning process within municipalities. Also, it will enable develop the needed policies and procedures, manual and projects for supporting this sector within municipalities. This initiative has been designed as one of the activities under the overall local government capacity building program. The results of the survey showed the weaknesses and strengths of the planning practices and arrangements within municipalities. The capacity building aspects are considered in three levels as follows: 1) the environment surrounding the physical planning practices in Palestine. 2) the system within the municipalities; this includes the manuals, tools, etc. 3) the human capacities aspects related to training and equipment. Based on this framework the study will provide the recommendations and activities needed to fulfill the reform process within municipalities in the field of physical planning.