Engineering

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A FRAMEWORK STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABILITY CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT: CASE OF WEST BANK, PALESTINE
(An-Najah National University, 2024-04-06) Hareez, Firas
This study aims to develop a strategic framework for sustainable construction and demolition (C&D) waste management in the West Bank of Palestine. Currently, no regulatory system governs C&D waste, resulting in unsustainable practices like dumping and burning that degrade the environment and public health. Previous research provided initial estimates of waste quantities, but gaps remain regarding generation patterns, stakeholder roles, and barriers. The research uses a mixed-methods approach, including questionnaires with 100 professionals and interviews with 10 interviewees. Secondary data from literature and reports supplements the Analysis. Findings show a lack of on-site segregation and essential management, 35% of the debris was dumped and more than 5% of the debris was burned illegally. Joint Service Councils manage collection and disposal but have limited capacity and funding. Political fragmentation also complicates coordination. Significant barriers include inadequate policies, infrastructure, lack of private sector compliance, and socioeconomic pressures. Study proposes a strategic framework to address these challenges to establish a coordinated C&D waste governance system by 2027. Objectives focus on strengthening regulations, improving on-site practices, developing infrastructure networks, boosting reuse/recycling markets, and creating sustainable financing mechanisms. A phased implementation plan outlines priority actions, responsibilities, and timelines for stakeholders to transition the sector toward sustainability. The framework provides a roadmap to guide reforms and capacity building needed to manage C&D waste responsibly in the West Bank.
A HYBRID DEEP LEARNING MODEL FOR FORECASTING PM2.5 AIR POLLUTANT CONCENTRATIONS
(An-Najah National University, 2024-12-18) Massad, Asma
Air quality forecasting is a crucial research field that aids scientists and policymakers in making informed decisions to combat air pollution. Among various pollutants, PM2.5 -particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometers- poses significant health risks, as it can reach the lower respiratory tract and enter the bloodstream. Accurately forecasting PM2.5 levels is thus essential. Although machine learning-based spatiotemporal forecasting models have advanced, the pursuit for more accurate forecasts continues. The use of hybrid deep learning models for PM2.5 forecasting represents a promising and active area of research, as these models aim to capture complex spatiotemporal dependencies more effectively. We developed a Dynamic Graph Attention Network (DyGAT) to model spatial dependencies effectively. DyGAT leverages engineered edge features, including distance, wind speed, and wind direction, while using attention mechanisms to capture the dynamic nature of these dependencies. DyGAT was then combined with Informer, a Transformer for efficient time-series forecasting, to capture spatial and temporal patterns comprehensively, improving prediction accuracy. Our model was evaluated on a benchmark dataset from Beijing, with 420,768 records over four years. DyGAT-Informer outperformed a version without the DyGAT component and other baseline models. It achieved 50.43 for MAE, 79.9 for RMSE and 28.88% for SMAPE, compared to 51.44 for MAE, 80.83 for RMSE and 30.25% for SMAPE in the next best model. Additionally, we conducted a case study using a dataset from Nablus, Palestine, consisting of 2692 records per station over a two months period. We incorporated geospatial features about nearby pollution sources into the dataset. Due to the insufficient number of records in the Nablus dataset for training the Informer, it was replaced with a sequence-to-sequence Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model. DyGAT-LSTM, trained with additional geospatial features about nearby pollution sources, achieved a 2.08% reduction in MAE, 1.17% in RMSE, and 1.96% in SMAPE. This confirms the benefit of incorporating such data. Finally, despite the short distances between stations, DyGAT successfully captured spatial dependencies, where DyGAT-LSTM achieved a reduction of 3.13% in MAE, 1.48% in RMSE, and 3.67% in SMAPE when compared to the LSTM-only model.
A HYBRID FIREFLY-GENETIC ALGORITHM FOR THE OPTIMAL COORDINATION OF DIRECTIONAL OVERCURRENT RELAYS
(2023-02-19) Tareq Husam Foqh
Theoretical background: Directional overcurrent relays are applied for power system protection to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation. The coordination of directional overcurrent relays is non-linear and highly constrained optimization problem. The main goal of the optimization is to minimize the summation of operating times of primary relays, by setting optimal values for decision variables as time multiplier setting (TMS) and plug setting (PS). Aims: The main objective of this research is to develop a hybrid optimization algorithm which consists of modified firefly algorithm and genetic algorithm to find better solutions. Methodology: First, this study modified the original firefly to obtain a global solution by updating the firefly's brightness and to avoid the distance between individual fireflies from being too far. Additionally, the randomized movements were controlled to produce a high convergence rate. Second, the optimization problem is solved using standard genetic algorithm. Finally, the solution obtained from the modified firefly algorithm is used as the initial population for the standard genetic algorithm. The modified firefly algorithm, genetic algorithm and hybrid firefly-genetic algorithm have been tested on IEEE 3-bus, 8-bus, 9-bus and 15-bus networks. Main Results: The results indicate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed algorithms in minimizing the overall operating time of primary relays compared to other algorithms mentioned in the literature for directional overcurrent relays coordination. Conclusion: Compared to modified firefly algorithm and standard genetic algorithm, the proposed hybrid algorithm has minimized coordination interval time between primary and backup relay pairs. Keywords: Directional overcurrent relays optimization, Hybrid algorithms, Firefly algorithm, Genetic Algorithm.
A NEW METHOD FOR OPTIMALLY DESIGNING THE POWER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK OF GRID-CONNECTED PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANT
(An-Najah National University, 2024-02-11) Assi, Hiba Bashar
Photovoltaic (PV) systems are attractive renewable energy source for rural electrification and distributed power generation. However, the capital cost of these systems as compared to non-renewable energy sources is still a challenging issue. Thus, many researchers have focused on enhancing the efficiency and the feasibility of photovoltaic systems. This research proposes an optimum methodology for designing the AC power distribution network for grid connected photovoltaic systems considering solar inverter size and location, as well as cable’s size and configuration. The main aim of the proposed method is to offer the shortest cables length and path; achieving a higher efficiency and feasibility in the overall assessment. The suggested approach follows a heuristic method, starting by generating numerous inverter combinations for analysis. For each combination, the total length of cables is calculated considering all feasible inverter locations, aided by Python code to ensure precision. Ultimately, the method identifies the optimal inverter location that results in the shortest cable lengths. A 900 kWp grid connected photovoltaic system is chosen as a case study in this research. Results show that a 23% reduction in total cable length as compared to the conventional approach is achieved by the proposed method. Meanwhile the proposed method offered a better configuration of required solar inverters (size and location). Such a method is very useful for designing photovoltaic system AC and DC distribution networks and exceed and the conventional and intuitive methods.
A PROPOSED METHOD FOR MITIGATION THE UNBALANCED CURRENTS IN POWER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK WITH PV SYSTEMS
(An-Najah National University, 2025-04-23) Raed Aref Kmail, Ahmad
This study aims to solve the problem of uneven electricity use in homes that share a three-phase power supply. This unevenness happens when too many houses rely heavily on just one or two of the three power lines, leading to wasted power, overloaded lines, voltage drops and even blackouts. The growing use of solar panels on homes makes this problem even worse since the amount of electricity they produce can fluctuate . To fix this, the project created a smart system that uses a microcontroller and WiFi technology to constantly monitor and adjust how electricity is distributed among the three power lines. It keeps track of how much power each house uses and how much solar energy is being produced, then automatically shifts houses between the lines to keep things balanced. Tests of this system show losses reduced from 138 kW to 9 kW—resulting in cost savings of $193.2, or $3.75 per house. The system achieved a simple payback period of less than one month. Furthermore, the lowest network voltage improved from 206 V under unbalanced conditions to 221 V after implementing the balancing solution. This study is important because it shows how to better manage modern power grids that include a lot of solar energy. By using this system, power companies can ensure a more stable and dependable electricity supply to homes while also supporting the use of renewable energy sources like solar power.
ACCEPTANCE AND SATISFACTION WITH ELECTRONIC HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM BY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS IN PALESTINIAN HOSPITALS
(An-Najah National University, 2024-08-22) Sabri Dweikat, Ahmad
Background: This study investigated the factors influencing employees’ acceptance and satisfaction of Electronic Health Information Systems (EHIS) in An-Najah National University Hospital and Rafidia Surgical Hospital. Methods: The study included healthcare workers, including physicians, nurses, medical secretaries, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, and radiologists. The study investigated fifteen hypotheses related to relative advantage, system quality, top management support, information technology (IT) department support, and competitive pressure. Results: A total of (n = 220) The research study, found no significant gender differences in EHIS acceptance (55% males, 45% females). Educational backgrounds varied, with 71% holding bachelor's degrees, 22% master degrees, and 7% diplomas. Participants with younger ages and less experience exhibited different perspectives on EHIS. Postgraduate participants showed greater awareness of relative advantage. The study also revealed that external factors such as relative advantage, system quality, top management support, and competitive pressure significantly affected perceived usefulness (PU) and ease of use (PEOU). Conclusion: The study looked at factors affected the acceptance of EHIS by Palestinian hospital staff and found that perceived usefulness (PU) was highly impacted by system quality, relative advantage, competitive pressure, top management support, and IT department support, while organizational support, compatibility, and system complexity had little effect on perceived ease of use (PEOU).
Accessibility Measures to Public Services in Palestinian Cities: The Case of Nablus City
(2007) Ghrood Ghaleb Subhee Awadeh; Dr. Khaled Al-Sahili; Dr. Ali Abdelhamid
The distribution and planning of public services is considered one of the major objectives of city planning due to its direct relation with serving residents, meeting their needs, and their accessibility to these services. The Palestinian cities in general and Nablus city in particular are suffering from the random distribution of public services without referring to the planning regulations that are based on population density and range of these services. In addition, there is a difficulty for the inhabitants of some residential districts, especially the outer ones and the suburbs, in accessibility to basic services like education and health. The major aim of this thesis is to study and analyze the current situation of public services in Nablus City as a case study through the application of certain accessibility measures to these services. The methodology of the study was based mainly on the descriptive and analytical methods using the available data and the field survey of public services as well as the results of the questionnaire distributed to a random sample in the city to measure the accessibility and determine the difficulties in access to these services. The results of the study indicated that there is a medium degree of accessibility to public services for most districts in Nablus City except some suburbs like Kufr Qallil, Zawata, and Roujeeb, which face difficulty in access to these services. Also, the results showed that there is a medium degree of difficulty in most districts and a high degree of difficulty in the suburbs to access to public hospitals. For other services like public libraries, banks, and post office, the results indicated that there is a medium degree of difficulty in access to such services from most of districts in the city. The results of the study have referred the difficulty in access to public services in Nablus City to certain factors, the most important being the long distance from public services, traffic congestion, and the absence of public transportation. The study suggested providing certain public services in specified locations in the city of Nablus so that to cover the shortage in distribution of these services throughout the city; and to provide better accessibility for these services to the surrounding neighborhoods. The study recommended the necessity of using the accessibility measures as a basic factor in the planning and distribution of public services in the city. In addition, it recommended the necessity of undertaking a traffic plan for arranging the transportation network, and the provision of public transportation service in Nablus City. Finally, the study recommended the importance of preparing similar studies in other Palestinian cities on the regional scale including the city and its surroundings.
The Activation Mechanisms of Community Participation in Architectural and urban Conservation (Case Study of the West Bank)
(2009) Ayman Azmi Jubran Saadeh; Dr. Mohammed Ata Yousef; Dr. Iman Al Amad
This study addressed the issue of community participation in architectural and urban conservation projects from both the conceptual and applied theme, through analyze and understand the concept of architectural conservation, the concept of community participation, and analysis of the relation between the two former concepts associated as a multi-disciplinary subject, and also analyzed the interaction of the community and such projects in varying degrees of community participation, through analyzing case studies from outside Palestine, compared with other cases in Palestine. Among many challenges posed by the conservation projects in the theoretical and practical framework, and multiple models on the ground that each conservation project is a particular case. The study aimed to understand the nature of community participation as a relatively new method, and to shed light on the models and theories which examine the theme of community participation, and analysis of the experiences of local conservation in the light of the previous studies and cases. The study concludes that there is a difference in the concept of community participation in conservation projects, but eventually leads to include the citizens in a positive state, and also shows that in general there is no citizen control power among the implementation of projects. Also the study concludes the diversity of the needed objectives of popular participation according to each case, and concludes that the conservation of architectural and urban heritage alive requires the activation of community participation and adopting it as a method for implementation of these projects.
Adopting a Competency Based Human Resource Management System in Palestine Cellular Communication LTD-JAWWAL
(2011) Enas Hamzi Mohammad Hijazeh; Prof. Grace Khoury
The goal of this research is to identify JAWWAL core competencies that will serve as a foundation for a competency based human resource (HR) management system, which for this research will include recruitment and selection, training and development, and performance management for this research. In order to achieve the general objectives of this study, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with JAWWAL directors, managers and supervisors were conducted as well as gathering completed competency based training appraisal forms from direct supervisors of employees who have participated in a competency based training course. Based upon the analysis of responses, which formed 63% of the sample, the following conclusions were drawn: -Eleven core competencies have been identified for JAWWAL employees, derived from JAWWALs mission and vision statements and they will serve as the base for the HR competency system. -JAWWAL will gain many advantages by adopting such a system. First, it will link its employees with the mission and vision statements; second, recruitment and selection will be competency based and not job based which encourages managers and other decision makers to clarify the verifiable, measurable results they expect from successful performers before a selection decision is made. This makes selection methods more effective, which reduces turnover, where, in this study, turnover was reduced by 0.196% during a period of seven months, since the employees who are hired are more likely to do well in jobs or work roles that are matched to their existing or potential competencies. -Competency based training allowed JAWWAL employees to structure their activities and processes in ways that are most meaningful to them. With this approach to training, JAWWAL managers, supervisors and employees are now more able to identify and use many learning resources in diverse settings. JAWWALs competency-based approach to training consistently communicates a common set of performance expectations to every team member. JAWWAL started to focus all training on meeting employees needs that support successful and creative team performance. Competency-based training began to help JAWWAL managers and supervisors keep JAWWAL employees focused on achieving exemplary performance. -It was concluded by the respondents that in a competency based system the process will encourage frank and non-adversarial communication between employees and their managers. It is not unusual for JAWWAL employees to express their concerns in performing work that is not aligned with their strengths or interests. It is not only the less productive employees but often exemplary performers as well, who express these concerns. It also gives JAWWAL employees the opportunity to convey their interests and satisfaction in performing work that is aligned with their competencies. JAWWAL employees' work results will be aligned with achievement of strategic objectives, and this contribution will be identified in specific and usually measurable terms. Work that is identified as nonstrategic can be eliminated; it will allow JAWWAL to use its resources in other more productive ways. A competency-based HR performance management system establishes a work environment at JAWWAL in which the roles, relationships, and responsibilities of both managers and employees are well defined. -Communication of strategic change is the most important strategy that the HR Directorate must work on to ensure success of the competency system JAWWAL is seeking to adopt for HR functions. In conclusion, this study recommends that JAWWALs top management allow the HR Directorate to play an effective strategic role through adopting the competency based human resource management system that will align HR practices with JAWWAL's strategic objectives and employee development efforts as well as to integrate all components of the HR functions across JAWWAL. Key words: JAWWAL, HR Directorate, Core Competencies, Competency Based Human Resource Management System, Recruitment and Selection, Training and Development, and Performance Management.
Adopting BIM in Palestinian Construction Projects using ADKAR as an Integrative Model of Change Management
(An-Najah National University, 2018-12-20) مصلح, خضر
The aim of this research is to examine the BIM status in the West Bank construction projects after introducing its application advantages. Additionally, it utilizes change management and inspects some hypothesis to increase BIM adoption using ADKAR model of change as a framework to replace the traditional engineering methods of work into modern processes in different engineering fields. The buildings sector is considered a major branch of the construction industry, which is primarily the main economical part of any country. Therefore, developing this sector will definitely result in improving the whole country. One of the main engineering processes that enhances the buildings sector is the Building Information Modeling (BIM) used worldwide. The process of BIM adoption will develop the engineering procedure of work for the construction projects to be constructed with the required quality at the minimum cost and least duration. The researcher studied several related books and researches to enlarge his vision, knowledge and information for the purpose of successfully completing this thesis. Furthermore, interviews with eight major organizations and 242 filled questionnaires from engineering and contracting companies with different specialties added to clearly reach the required research objectives. It was concluded that the ADKAR components: Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement with the exception of Ability in adopting BIM for Civil and Architectural specialties, seemed to be higher in percentage than in Mechanical and Electrical fields. It was noticeable that all fields lack the Ability to implement BIM in real construction projects. Furthermore, adopting BIM in the West Bank construction projects were more effective for higher educational degrees, lower years of experience, smaller size companies, and Architects and Civil engineers. Luckily, and after collecting the needed data and analyzing the qualitative and quantitative results, a framework was established for different engineering fields such as: Architectural, Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical specializations. The framework supports BIM application with the help of Government and its organizations to engage all stakeholders including the owner, to successfully approve BIM adoption in building projects. This study adds a contribution to the buildings sector by applying ADKAR change management model in the BIM adoption process for the first time in literature. In conclusion, the researcher recommends adopting BIM in the developing countries, as well as in other regions possible for their construction projects.
Agile Project Management Practices in Palestinian IT Companies: A Managerial Framework
(2016) Abdalla Jaber Abdalla Alhroub; Dr. Ayham Jaaron
Palestinian software sector is directly affected by global trends of technology. Palestinian IT companies try to stay in the arena of competition. Agile project management (APM) is an emerging approach in software engineering, initially proposed and promoted by a group of sixteen software professionals who practice a set of methods, and share a common set of values of software development. They consolidated their thoughts, and defined these methods as “agile. This research aims at assessing the APM practices in Palestinian IT companies. This study aims at investigating the possibility of achieving the benefits of agile project management in software development through using agile project management practices. This study explored related topics to APM. Based on what the researcher had got from the literature, he assessed the APM in software development sector by analyzing the readiness of APM implementation including changes required, challenges and risks in addition to testing the 12 agile principles and agile success factors by using mixed methods methodology, qualitative and quantitative research tools, and all of these 12 principles and success factors were found in literature. A questionnaire was the quantitative tool, whereas, the qualitative one was conducting interviews in Palestinian IT companies. Quantitative data was analyzed by the SPSS program to generate descriptive statistics required and to test a number of related hypothesis. However, the qualitative data was analyzed using the thematic analysis approach. The questionnaire was designed to simulate the project’s success factors and agile project management practices in software development and information technology sector. The interview questions have been formed in accordance with the questionnaire which examines the hypotheses of the study, where it supports the research results through the answers provided by experts in the field of agile project management practices through their answers to the questions asked in interviews Protocol, and distributed to the sampled companies. Palestinian Information Technology Association (PITA) is considered as the official body which include all IT and software development Palestinian companies. According to PITA, the population size is 80 companies that are working in SW development sector according to many activities. The sample size was 67 based on population size, confidence level is 95%, and confidence interval is 5%. The results show that there are indicators that prove that the Palestinian IT companies have a high degree of agile implementation process in most aspects such as dealing with the change required, welcoming to change, focusing on customer centric, giving high attention to the team and its characteristics, and daily administrative procedures. However, the results show that Palestinian IT companies are lacking required level of ability to deal with challenges and risks of the APM processes and people characteristics readiness. The study indicates that eight of the nine hypothesis have statistically significant relationship with success. A framework was developed by the researcher as the main output to enable Palestinian IT companies to properly adopt the principles and the practices of agile project management that can enhance APM processes implementation. The value of this research is the introduction of an APM enhancement framework that can help the Palestinian IT companies to facilitate SW development process, and encounter the daily obstacles that to be solved, and to get rid of the suffering of IT sector, which opens the door for more creativity in Palestinian IT sector.
ALGAE FOR NUTRIENTS REMOVAL FROM WASTEWATER: THE APPLICATION OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT FOR ENHANCED ALGAL GROWTH
(An-Najah National University, 2024-10-10) Alhamaydeh, Ahlam
Treating municipal wastewater using algae to remove nutrients is considered one of the most successful, environmentally friendly, and inexpensive natural methods, as algae grow naturally in wastewater if the appropriate conditions are available for its growth, such as nutrients, temperature, duration, and intensity of exposure to light, as well as the presence of bacteria that form a symbiotic relationship with algae to help it grow. This research studied the effect of artificial light on the growth of algae and its activity in removing nutrients from municipal wastewater. Three beakers of municipal wastewater in which the algae grew, with a volume of 5 liters as a pilot scale of patch reactors, were used and placed in the same conditions which were Temperatures and mixing for 15 days, with varying durations of exposure to artificial light. In the first sample, the algae was exposed to light 24 hours a day and was called the light sample. The second beaker was exposed to light for 19 hours, the fifth was exposed to natural daylight and was called half light sample, and the third sample remained in the day and night cycle, where it was called the natural sample. After 15 days of comparing the three samples, although the results were close in the two light and half-light samples, the algae in the light sample were the most efficient in removing nutrients from wastewater, as their efficiency in removing COD was 95% and phosphorus was 96%. 99.8% ammonium, TSS concentration 737.4 mg/L, and chlorophyll A pigment concentration of 129.4 μg/L. In the half-light sample, the effectiveness of algae in removing COD was 93%, phosphorus was 94%, ammonium was 99.8%, TSS concentration was 237.4 mg/L, and chlorophyll A concentration was 57.2 μg/L. Finally, in the natural sample, the efficiency in removing COD was 93%, phosphorus was 6%, ammonium was 56%, TSS concentration was 174 mg/L, and chlorophyll A concentration was 8 μg/L. These results show the effectiveness of algae as a natural method for removing nutrients from wastewater and the positive effect of light on improving algae growth and its efficiency in the treatment process.
AN AHP BASED CRITERIA FOR ASSESSING AI ASSISTED DESIGNS AS PERCEIVED BY DESIGNERS
(An-Najah National University, 2025-02-13) Kayed, Aseel
This thesis presents the development of an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) framework to assess artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted architectural designs. The main objective is to construct a priority scale that reflects the experts' evaluation of the relative importance of different design elements. To this end, after an extensive systematic literature, four primary standards—authenticity, beauty, inventiveness, and harmony—were found to be crucial for judging architectural designs. Sub-criteria were derived from each of these primary criteria to offer a more detailed assessment. A panel of professionals in the domains of architecture and artificial intelligence were administered a two-part questionnaire in order to inform the suggested framework. The participants' backgrounds and prior exposure to AI were gathered in the first section of the questionnaire. In the second section, the specified criteria and sub-criteria were evaluated. Thirty responses were collected and analyzed. The AHP results show that, inventiveness with 35.5% weight is the most influential factor for assessing AI-assisted designs. Authenticity with a weight of 21.5% and harmony with a weight of 24% are, respectively, the next two most important criteria. Beauty was found to have a weight of 19%. The most important sub-criterion for authenticity with their weights were found to be design consistency (36.1%), with material integrity (20.4%), authentic expression (22.7%), and historical context (20.8%). The top ranking factors for beauty are integration with the environment (43.7%), visual impact (22.1%), timelessness (20%), and detailing (14.2%). Emerged as the highest-ranking element of inventiveness is sustainable solutions (36.1%), with technical innovation (23.1%) and adaptive reuse (23.9%) also having significant effects. A smaller but still significant impact is made by spatial novelty (16.9%). Material coherence (28.3%), spatial harmony (21.2%), and proportionate balance (16.3%), environmental synchronization (34.2%) are the main components of harmony. The study's findings led to the development of a solid and organized framework for assessing architectural projects helped by artificial intelligence. The contribution of this research is mainly for researchers, architects, and stakeholders to be able to quantitatively assess architectural designs that are produced by AI with a novel AHP based approach evaluation method. This framework contributes to the ongoing discourse about the incorporation of Artificial intelligence in the field of architectural engineering, more specific the architectural design by prioritizing important design elements and providing a systematic method for upcoming evaluations. A thorough assessment of design quality is made possible by the framework's methodical approach, which highlights the significance of coherence, contextual integration, and sustainability.
AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION AUTHORITIES POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN THE ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION SECTOR IN THE WEST BANK: NORTHERN GOVERNORATES CASE STUDY
(An-Najah National University, 2025-02-27) Abu Yaqoub, Ahmad
Background: The roads and transportation sector in the West Bank, Palestine, has been impacted by the Israeli authorities since occupation in 1967, which radically restructured the sector to serve their colonial interests. This has disrupted accessibility and mobility of the Palestinians. This research uniquely addresses this sector within the Zionist colonial context. Aims: The main goal of the research is to identify the Israeli policies, procedures, and practices concerning roads and transportation in West Bank, and define countermeasures to improve the Palestinians’ ability to travel. The objectives include defining the road network changes made by the Israeli occupation authorities serving the ambitions, assessing their impacts on the Palestinians and the discrimination between Palestinians and settlers concerning transportation issues, and proposing countermeasures to ease the related suffering of the Palestinians. Methodology: Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Collected literature, Israeli plans and military orders, were reviewed. Interviews with official representatives of relevant institutions were conducted. Spatial and technical Analyses were conducted concerning the Israeli policies and practices concerning mobility, accessibility, geometric design, traffic safety, traffic control, and planning of roads, mainly through case studies. GIS tools were well utilized in spatial analysis. Temporal analysis was conducted through change detection analysis. Main results: The research shows that Israeli measures severely restrict Palestinians accessibility and mobility. The results confirm the presence of apartheid policies between the Palestinians and settlers, including those related to planning and constructing bypass roads and limiting their use by Palestinians. It is found that these measures deliberately ignore the mobility, accessibility, and traffic safely aspects for the Palestinians. Such Israeli measures limiting the Palestinians mobility have been intensified in the past few years. Domination over the road network could impact the establishment of an independent Palestinian State. Conclusions of the study: The Palestinian National Authority must take immediate action, including seeking support from international courts and UN institutions. Realistic countermeasures, such as improving connections among Palestinian communities and developing alternative roads, are needed to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians accessibility and movement.
Analysis and Evaluation of Current Situation of the Food Industries in Nablus City
(2007) Mahdi Othman Mahmoud Al-Aghber; Dr. Ali Abdelhamid; Dr. Azziz Salem Dweik
This study is concerned with the analysis and evaluation of current situation of the food industries in Nablus city in terms of the importance of industrial location, decision making in allocation of industries, as well as identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and available potentials to develop these industries. The major aim of this thesis is to identify the significant factors that affect the selection of the food industries in Nablus city, and determining the factors that contribute to the development and promotion of these industries. The methodology of the study is based on the descriptive and analytical research methods, using the tools of the questionnaire and field survey of the locations of food industries in Nablus, and the available data from the related official sources. The results of the study have indicated that most of the problems and obstacles facing the sector of food industries in Nablus city such as obstacles in importing raw materials and exporting the products are due to political and security condition as well as the measures taken by the Israeli occupation. Also, the study indicated the significance of the competition, capital and transportation cost factors in the selection of the location of these industries. The study has recommended the necessity of protecting the food industries and both the local and national products. In addition, it emphasized the necessity of making future plans for the food industries in Nablus city in the light of the need of local and national markets, and the requirements of the general planning of the city.
Analysis and Evaluation of Development in Palestine using Urban Carrying Capacity Assessment System: Tulkarem Governorate as a Case Study
(An-Najah National University, 2018-04-01) إيهاب حجازي, علي عبدالحميد
This study examines the analysis the development in Tulkarm governorate using the urban carrying capacity assessment system during the period (2005-2016), which is defined as the maximum level of human activities, such as population's growth ,land use and physical development without considerable degradation and damage. The problem lies in this study is that the Tulkarm governorate developed highly and intensely during the period (2005-2016), Consequently, more pressure was put on natural resources. However, this rapid development may does not commensurate with the urban carrying capacity. This, in turn, leads to persistent and permanent problems, especially those related to population and overlapped land use, which jeopardize the natural resources . In addition to the impact of the political factor that limits and prevents the achievement of the potential development, which is compatible with the urban carrying capacity of the governorate, where there is enough area that can be exploited in the case of absence of the occupation to guide and achieve the best development that preserves the governorate in a sustainable manner. This study aims first to analyze ,and evaluate the development in Tulkarm governorate using the Urban Carrying Capacity Assessment System (UCCAS) through building up a Framework of factors of urban carrying capacity. Therefore and in order to determine the change in the development in the governorate and identify the influential factors of carrying capacity. the researcher divided the study , according the available data, into two periods : (2005 and 2016) , used GIS for built up spatial databases for the study periods, and used aerial photographs (Orthophotos 2005 and 2016) for the sake of review and audit. secondly, planning for potential development scenarios in terms of carrying capacity in both cases with and without the geopolitical situation of the Governorate to develop it in a convenient manner in case of land availability and suitability. The results showed that the urban carrying capacity of the Governorate was determined mainly by two factors: population density and agriculture land use , and it also showed according to the analyses of both scenarios, that the political factor limits and prevents the achievement of the potential development, which is compatible with the urban carrying capacity of the governorate ,where there is enough area that can be exploited in the case of absence of the occupation to guide and achieve the best development that preserves the governorate in a sustainable manner. Based on these results, the researcher came up with the following recommendations: establishment of a geospatial database based on Geographic Information System (GIS) for the classification the land uses accurately. The researcher also recommends, to prepare ways to control future developments in any area of Palestine within its urban carrying capacity, and application of this methodology of different levels and characteristics of urban environments in Palestine to achieve to achieve the desired sustainable development.
Analysis and Evaluation of Governmental School Buildings in the West Bank
(2003) Nazih Omar Mohamed Yousef;
The state of education in Palestine was and still suffering from various problem and obstacles related with the design of school buildings according to the basic standards and regulations concerning the area, number of classes and students as well as services. In order to deal with this situation, several governmental and non-governmental institutions, which appeared in the West Bank, have been trying to build schools. This study constitutes an analysis and evaluation of how much the governmental schools were able to deal with this situation by showing the proportion between the construction price and the ability to solve problems related students' achievement and performance from one side and the architectural design of school from the other side. In addition, the study aims at seeking the applicability of governmental Palestinian schools to standards of formal schools in other countries. The study is based upon three major parts. The first part includes the study of evolution of education and schools in Palestine with emphasis on the current situation in terms of types and characteristics of schools, and the range of meeting the population needs as well as identifying the problems and obstacles they are facing. In the second part, some theories, models and concepts concerning planning and design standards of schools are reviewed. Consequently, in the third part, the governmental schools in the West Bank are analyzed and evaluated according to theoretical bases in the second part. Then, certain results and recommendations are given in order to develop the current situation of education by improving the activity of schools and their applicability to planning and design standards. To achieve the aims of the study, the author used the historical descriptive research method while studying and reviewing the development and evolution of education in Palestine. Also, he depended on the filed survey of existing governmental schools in the West Bank, by using questionnaires, interviews and observations. Moreover, the author used the analytical method in analyzing and evaluating the collected data and identifying the positive and negative aspects as well as problems facing these schools in terms of buildings, students and teachers. As a result, the study indicated that the governmental schools in the West Bank are affected by various factors such as the location, area and the allocated financial resources. Also, it indicated the inapplicability of most of these schools to the applied planning and design standards. Finally, the study emphasized the necessity of building governmental schools on accurate bases in terms of the relation between the site of school and surrounding communities, and also the applicability to design standards and building regulations.
Analysis and Evaluation of Land-use Patterns in the Town of Jericho
(2006) Hussein Mohamed Sa'd Alnojoom; Dr: Ali Abdelhamid
This study is focusing mainly on studying and analyzing the land-use patterns in Jericho city during the 20th Century, through reviewing the structural plans, regulations and laws that were prepared during this century. The main objective of this study is to analyze and evaluate various land uses by identifying weaknesses in the prepared plans, and trying to put some recommendations and proposals which help create land use plans for in the city of Jericho in a scientific way, so as to enable the city in achieving its goal and performing its functions properly without clashes, or deformation, and meeting citizens and local community requirements in the modern age. The methodology of the study was based on the descriptive analytical method in analyzing the structural plans and planning rules and their impact on the city of Jericho depending on the available data and the experience of the author through his work in the Department of Local Government in Jericho. The results of indicated the negative aspects in the city, such as the overlapping and interference of land uses as well as the ignorance of previous structural plans to certain necessary and significant uses. Also, the study emphasized the urgency of preparing and approving a new structural plan for the city, which regulates the existing land uses and identifies the future or proposed uses in the coming period. Moreover, the study recommended the necessity of enhancing and straitening the touristic role and value of Jericho city as well as emphasizing the conservation of the historical and cultural areas and sites in the city, besides developing the sector of public services and facilities that support and enhance the touristic role of Jericho.
Analysis and Short-Term Future Vision for the Transportation Plan in Jenin City
(2006) Ahmad Hasan Mohamad AL-Mosleh; Dr. Khaled Al-Sahili
There is a lack of urban and transportation planning in Jenin City. This study addresses the short-term planning for the transportation systems in Jenin City to reach at appropriate solutions for the transportation problems in the city. In addition, the study addresses other detailed objectives for the various transportation systems in the city. This study includes statistical data collection from its various sources and field surveys (traffic volume studies, parking studies, and inventory studies). The thesis includes a study of existing transportation systems (description and evaluation), traffic analysis of studied intersections (capacity, level of service, and signalization). The analysis includes existing and future conditions (after five years), which depend on projected number of vehicles based on natural population growth for Jenin City, as the number of vehicles during the last ten years was not regularly registered and licensed. The importance of this thesis is that there is a need for regularly conducting such studies every five years to update such plans taking into consideration several changes taking place in this city. Most of these changes come from political and economical reasons, in addition to the changing traffic conditions in the transportation network and the existing and proposed transportation systems resulted from the Jenin Master Plan. Based on the analysis, the study reached at several recommendations for the existing and proposed road network conditions, which form the transportation master plan for the city. The proposed changes include plans for the studied intersections and roadways, parking, public transportation, truck routes, pedestrian areas, and the institutional structure. The study concluded that only one intersection is warranted for signalization in the future, which is An-Naffa Intersection.
Analysis of Major Benefits and Costs for Pedestrian-Overpass Case Study : Nablus City
(2000) Banan "Mohamed Rima'a" Saleem Jadallah; Dr. Osama A. Abaza
Pedestrian-overpasses are appropriate when there is high speed and/or high traffic flow, where there is considerable pedestrian delay or a high pedestrian accident problem. Proper evaluation of these parameters resulted in identifying the most appropriate locations for installing pedestrian—overpasses. An economic analysis was proposed in this study for the purpose of reasonable evaluation of the required parameters that justified the installation of such costly structures. The economic analysis was interpreted in terms of benefit-cost ratio. The later considered the savings of pedestrian accidents and pedestrian delay as the benefits that will be achieved after the installation of overpasses, on the other hand, construction and maintenance costs were considered. Based on this analysis three different guidelines were developed. Accident guideline, pedestrian delay guideline, and combination of guidelines. Cases with different assumptions can be applied, based on the proposed modification process. The developed guidelines are applied for unsignalized urban areas. The comparison with currently used warrants implied that the developed guidelines are more specific and flexible.

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