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

Based on the need to develop a model for sustainable urban development that makes use of all related analysis and to overcome threats of all other proposals like the Regional Plan proposed by Palestinian Ministry of Palestine and the Arc proposed byte American corporation the RAND, the new model is to be named, "the Leaf". The name is referred to the shape of the proposed Palestinian urban structure and related networks. The leaf is to be based on two main concepts: balanced urban development and land resources sustainability. Moreover, the Leaf is considering also a long-term vision with regard to absorption capacity, accessibility, and urban and rural developments. The Leaf is considering the Palestinian planning arena. It goes behind the limit of other trials in more than the long-term vision and sustainability. For example, it converts some national policies for urban development into spatial issues. This is clear when the Leaf translates the proposed policy of urban corridors into new cities or urban agglomerations. The Palestinian protection plan is also considered when primary boundaries for such urban developments have been proposed within the Leaf. Some main factors the paper is discussing thoroughly based on the Leaf plan are: Balanced development, long-term vision, capacity, accessibility and coverage, rural development, Israeli settlements, existing urban centers, existing networks, national policy, the Leaf versus other proposals.