Celebrating 10,000 years of civilization |
Celebrating 10,000 years of civilization
Vision:
Building on the ancient history and culture, religion heritage, unique geography and wonderful weather to make Jericho a tourist attraction for local, regional, and international tourism as well as a destination for foreign investment
Approach:
A phased, multi track approach will allow for completion of work in time for the launch of the 2010 celebrations.
Undergoing preparation:
• Data collection on all aspects of Jericho governorate including socio-economic conditions, historical records, cultural and perceptions of people locally and abroad.
• Preliminary needs assessment for Jericho 2010 including infrastructure projects and other needs.
• Strategic planning and goal setting
• Team development of municipality project team leading the project and nomination of committee’s members and heads.
• Development of marketing and communications strategy including Jericho 2010 brand and visual identity
• Development of a clear and focused public relations strategy.
Opportunities for investment:
Potentials for investment in Jericho City and the governorate in general exist in a number of sectors. We will highlight some of the investment opportunities in hopes to spark your interest in our city. Jericho municipality is keen on business development and investment promotion in the area and is willing to provide every possible incentive necessary to attract foreign and local investors.
Commercial potentials:
Proposed plans for Jericho city considers it a commercial area and suggests the creation of a trilateral free market area for Jordan- Israel- Palestine in the Jericho district.
Tourism:
Visited by millions of local and international tourists annually, Jericho is considered the prime location for investment in the tourism sector in Palestine. Due to its diverse features, wealth of historic and religious places and distinctive nature and weather, a varied selection of projects can be suggested, such as:
• recreational and water parks
• international winter Golf Course
• handicrafts village
• hotels
• restaurants
• sport facilities
Agriculture:
The crops produced in Jericho constitute the majority of the Palestinian food basket. Agricultural lands take up a large share of the city area and are considered to be very fertile. Due to the availability of water a number of projects in this sector have been quite successful such as the palm tree planting project, and fish ponds.
Industry:
Since the Jericho governorate is the largest in the area of all Palestinian governorates in the West Bank, and due to the abundance of suitable lands in it’s nominated for the establishment of an industrial zone. Other aspects such as its location, lower electricity rates, and proximity to borders are also key for this sector.
Some of the success series of investment projects in the Jericho area include:
Industrial Sector:
• iron factory
• Concrete factory
Agriculture:
• palm trees
• Agri-business and export terminal
Tourism:
• Jericho resorts
• Jericho Intercontinental
• Jericho Telepherique
Jericho Municipality Projects:
Investment opportunities through Jericho Municipality
Jericho Commercial Mall
Jericho area lakes a commercial mall and modern shopping areas which lead the municipality to make necessary plans and allocate suitable and attractive location for this project. Currently the municipality in is search for investors for this projects which will constitute of over 24 thousand square meters distributed over 6 floors and included commercial stores, children playgrounds, multipurpose hall, food court, office spaces, and movie theatre.
Water Park
Jericho city constitutes the most important escape location for local tourism in Palestine due to the cities unique tourist environment and weather. Current estimate indicate that Jericho receives around one million tourists on a yearly basis. Therefore extensive research, it has been decided in establish water slides, swimming pools, artificial river, and waves pool. The plan suggests utilizing a piece of land around 20 thousand square meters in area and located north of the city near Ein Al Sultan water spring. The estimated cost of the project is three million dollars.
Projects under implementation by Jericho Municipality:
• internal road network development
• external road network development
• Ein Al Sultan Water spring development
• Cafeteria building in Spanish Park
• Cafeteria building in vegetable market area
• Bridge construction in Dyouk area
• Construction of 1000 cubic meter water tank
• Hisham Palace rehabilitation project
• Natural therapy center
• Artistic lighting project of Mount of Temptation and the Sycamore tree.
Recent projects completed by Jericho Municipality:
• establishment of Jericho Municipal library
• 500 cubic meter water tank
• Al-Maghtas Street rehabilitation project
• Rehabilitation of the Jericho city northern entrance
• Vegetable Kiosks
• Internal street paving
• Other Bridges and infrastructure developments
Development Concept:
The development concept for Jericho city was discussed at the meeting of the urban planning working group which is composed of representatives from Jericho Municipality, the departments of agriculture, tourism, water supply and wastewater management, as well as from academic circles. The working group analyzed the existing conditions, issues to be addressed and survey results and formulated a development concept for Jericho city.
Why Jericho?
Location:
Jericho city is located in the southern part of the Jordan rift valley and at the crossroads of the east west corridor and north-south corridor. It is 35 KM east of Jerusalem and 8 KM northwest of the Dead Sea. Currently people and producers in the valley pass through the city for trade or visiting. The city has been and will continue to be developed as a regional center for trade, tourism, and agriculture as well as environmental management. Being situated at the border of three countries: Palestine, Jordan and Israel, the city could become an international gateway to/from neighboring countries in future development such as Jordan and Golf Countries. Trade with these countries will be provided with Jericho serving as a logistical center.
Climate:
The climate of Jericho is warm throughout the year, having four months of hot dry summer and a short winter with a small rainfall from November to March. The warm climate in winter gives the city its reputation as a winter resort as far back as Roman times, when King Herod constructed his winter palace in the west part of the city.
Water resources:
Available water resources in the city are mainly spring water and groundwater. The total volume of spring water is estimated to be about 22 MCM/year, which is approximately 75% of total available spring water in the Jericho and Jordan Rift Valley area. Ground water used in this area amounts to be about 6.2 MCM/year mainly for agriculture. The availability of water is one of the most crucial issues in formulating a future development plan for Jericho.
Population:
The population of Jericho city was approximately 20,000. Including the surrounding areas, the Greater Jericho area had a total population of about 35,000 persons. The city has the lowest population density of the major cities in the West Bank at 69 persons/km. This implies that the city has a huge potential for future expansion and building development.
Jericho city and Dead Sea area:
Expanded tourism development will be envisaged in the Dead Sea area in cooperation with Jordan and Israel.
Jericho city and Jerusalem:
More visitors from Jerusalem and other urban centers in the West Bank are envisaged. A development concept for the Greater Jericho Area is proposed taking into consideration future zoning, major functions, and linkage among regions.
The Electricity:
The electricity of Jericho applied from Jordan which means that the 20% decrease of the piece of each kilo wart of consumption.
Security situation:
The security situation remains stable in general in the Jordan Rift Valley area, especially in Jericho city and its vicinity. The security situation there has historically been better than the other areas in the West Bank.
Regional Tourism:
Jericho City will be developed as a major tourism center, attracting more international tourists, as well as local visitors. Resort tourism developments in the Dead Sea area will be proposed to stimulate tourism in the longer term. The area around the Dead Sea bordering with Jordan and Israel would be proposed for a border free eco tourism zone utilizing existing natural resources and geographical features. The tourism networks in the region have common cultural, historical and natural backgrounds. In fact, tour programs are composed of destinations in more than two countries. This because the tourism in the region is regarded as one unit of the regional tourism network by tour operators and customers.
Agriculture:
Current agricultural lands will be kept as they are, with higher productivity attained through water saving agriculture. Agro-industries are planned to the located to the north of Al-Auja or north-east of Jericho city in order to induce higher added value in agro-based industry. The existing agricultural lands to the west of the Jordan Rift Valley will be developed in conjunction with development of agro-industries.
القدس 2009 عاصمة الثقافة العربية
الرؤيا العامة للاحتفاء بالقدس عاصمة الثقافة العربية 2009
الإحتفاء بمدينة القدس عاصمة للثقافة العربية للعام 2009 على المستوى العربي والدولي يأتي تأكيدا على أنها جزء لا يتجزأ من الأراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة منذ العام 1967، وتكريسا لبعدها السياسي كعاصمة للدولة الفلسطينية المستقلة ومكانتها في الوجدان الديني والإنساني، وتجذيرا لهويتها الثقافية العربية، ودعما للوجود الفلسطيني وصموده فيها، وتصديا لإجراءات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي، وتعزيزا للشعور بالانتماء الوطني والعربي تجاه هوية ثقافية عربية موحدة.
الاحتفالية
تنفس التاريخُ شهقاته الأولى على أرضها واكتسب نبضه من مهدها..قدس عربية نام الزمانُ على كتفها لترتقي مهداً للأنبياء وأرضاً للحضارات القديمة، باتت مدينة السلام وزهرة المدائن بمآذنها وقبابها وأجراس كنائسها وأسوارها وأبوابها العريقة.. على هذه الأرض المباركة شهدت الحضارات بدايات خلقها ووهج نجمها وسمو ثقافاتها ببعدها الديني والروحاني والإنساني، فيما تتجلى العبادة بمساجدها وكنائسها بأعلى معانيها وترتفع القيم إلى سقف سمائها..ولأنها تمتلك كل هذه المواصفات صمدت في وجه الريح وقاومت ببسالة على مرّ التاريخ أربعة وعشرين محاولة تدمير، لكنها صعدت إلى سمائنا كطائر فينيق أسطوري لا يزال يجدد روحه وأجنحته رغم بشاعة الاحتراق والحصار.. وكل محاولات تغيير هويتها وملامحها.
منذ سنوات طويلة تتعرض المدينة المقدسة إلى حملة منظمة وواسعة لتغيير هويتها الثقافية العربية ووجهها الحضاري والتاريخي والتراثي الاسلامي والمسيحي، من خلال سن القوانين العسكرية وتنفيذ إجراءات احتلالية تستهدف تهميش الوجود الفلسطيني في المدينة، ومحاولة فرض الأمر الواقع الإسرائيلي عليها.
وقد تعددت أوجه وإجراءات عملية تطهير عرقي يوظفها الاحتلال من أجل تغيير التركيبة السكانية للمدينة وصبغها بالطابع اليهودي، فقد صادرت سلطات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي آلاف الدونمات المحيطة بمدينة القدس، وأقامت عليها عددا من المستوطنات الكبيرة، كما بنت مئات الوحدات الاستيطانية داخل المدينة نفسها، وسحبت عدداً كبيراً من هويات المواطنين الفلسطينيين من سكان المدينة، في سياق إجراءات مبيتة تنطوي على فرض القوانين التعسفية للتضييق على حياتهم وإجبارهم على العيش خارجها، كما قامت ببناء الجدار العنصري حولها في محاولة لخنقها وعزلها عن محيطها الفلسطيني، وكذلك إقامة نقاط التفتيش العسكرية لعزل الأحياء عن بعضها. ونظم الاحتلال حملة اعتداءات على التراث الثقافي استهدفت الحرم القدسي الشريف، عبر الحفريات التي تقوم بها تحت الحرم وحوله، بحجة البحث والتنقيب عن الهيكل والآثار اليهودية وحجج وهمية أخرى، تهدف في مجملها للسيطرة على موقع القدس واسكات التاريخ والثقافة. وقد تجلى هذا الهدف بوضوح لدى قيام دولة الاحتلال بمحاولة فاشلة لتسجيل مواقع تاريخية في القدس كمواقع إسرائيلية على لائحة التراث العالمي لدى منظمة اليونسكو، رغم أن المنظمة الثقافية الدولية قامت بتسجيل المدينة التاريخية على لائحة التراث العالمي كموقع عربي منذ العام 1981، وأدرجتها أيضاً على لائحة التراث العالمي المهدد بالخطر منذ العام 1982.
الأهداف الإستراتيجية العامة للاحتفالية
1. إعادة الصدارة لمدينة القدس بقيمتها الثقافية وبعدها الحضاري التاريخي والديني وحماية معالمها التاريخية والروحية بما يعزز هويتها الثقافية العربية.
2. تعزيز صمود المواطنين المقدسيين ثقافياً وتربوياً واجتماعياً واعلامياً واقتصادياً، المساهمة في تخفيف معاناة مواطني المدينة المقدسة من خلال إيجاد فرص عمل للأيدي العاملة فيها.
3. تفعيل الحراك الثقافي في القدس ومحيطها داخل وخارج الوطن.
4. تأهيل بنى تحتية مناسبة للاحتفاء بالقدس عاصمة الثقافية العربية.
5. توسيع وتعميق دائرة التضامن العربي والدولي للحفاظ على عروبة القدس.
6. كسر العزلة الثقافية التي تعيشها المدينة عن واقعها العربي الطبيعي بفعل ممارسات الاحتلال.
7. المساهمة في التخفيف من المشاكل الاجتماعية التي يعاني منها المجتمع الفلسطيني داخل مدينة القدس.
8. دعم البرامج والنشاطات والفعاليات الثقافية التي سيتم تنفيذها من أجل تأكيد هوية القدس العربية.
9. دعوة الدول العربية لتنفيذ نشاطات وفعاليات ثقافية في عواصمها لتعزيز الهوية الثقافية العربية لمدينة القدس.
10. تنفيذ حملة عالمية بالتنسيق مع الهيئات الدولية والاقليمية وحركة التضامن مع الشعب الفلسطيني من أجل فك الحصار وتعزيز الهوية العربية للقدس حضارة وتاريخاً وأصالة.
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