Gaza as an independent entity that provides sustainable quality of life for its residents.   

Self Sufficient Gaza  

Tutors:  D. Arch. Farah Farah, D. Prof. Arch. Irit Tsaraf, Arch. Eyal Malka, Arch. Gary Freedman

Year: 2018-2019

This project deals with the ongoing downfall of the situation in Gaza, and the critical human situation people live nowdays that enforces its dependence on Israel, Egypt and the international community.
The project suggests a structure that enables Gaza to stand as an independent being, as a solution for three million people expected to live in it by 2030.
On July 2015, the United Nations conference for commerce and development published a report about Gaza’s current situation, after 8 years of blockade and 3 military operations. This report anticipated that without significant change the Gaza strip will have no hope for rehabilitation, causing it to be “unsuited for living” already by 2020.
This conclusion brings about many questions regarding Gaza’s future development. Should its almost absolute dependence on Israel continue, considering the fact it has been going on for so long without bringing upon any change or improvement ? Is it possible to build a self-sufficient community, one which is reliant on the natural resources surrounding it, such as the ocean, the sun, and the fertile soil it has? And if so, how? In what way is it possible to combine traditional and existing construction together with self-sufficient planning principles? The Gaza strip territory covers 365 square meters, bordering the Mediterranean see from west, Egypt from south and Israel from North-East, whilst the Israeli border consist of a limited access security line of 300-1500meter. With limited land and growing population, what is the right way to combine multiple grounds uses, efficient infrastructure and wellness?

The project relates to the socio-economic situation inGaza, to its construction typologies, the broken infrastructure that is not able to sustain the basic needs of the population and the agriculture that is slowly disappearing with its lands repurposed for housing. This project represents my approach in showing how Gaza can exist as a self-sufficient being and embark on a better future independent of Israel, allowing people to live a better and optimistic life.