Planning, Development and Affordable Housing
Working with Local Authorities on Planning, Development and Affordable Housing
An-Najah National University works closely with ministries, municipalities, local councils and communities to address planning and development challenges in Palestine, and to help ensure that local residents, particularly the most vulnerable, can access decent and affordable housing. Rapid urbanisation, limited land and the restrictions imposed by the occupation place heavy pressure on Palestinian cities and villages, making sound planning and access to adequate housing essential to sustainable development. The University contributes its academic and technical expertise to meet these challenges, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 11 and the New Urban Agenda.
Supporting local authorities in urban and regional planning
Through its Urban and Regional Planning Unit, part of the Urban Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction Center, the University provides technical assistance and expert consultation to ministries, municipalities, local councils and other public institutions. The Unit:
-
Prepares regional, structural, detailed, land settlement and zoning plans tailored to the needs of Palestinian cities, towns and villages.
-
Develops strategic development plans that set long-term visions for the sustainable growth of regions and population centres.
-
Conducts studies, surveys and research that provide local authorities with evidence for planning decisions.
-
Prepares development projects in cooperation with ministries, local authorities and relevant institutions, turning planning concepts into practical initiatives.
-
Works with the relevant authorities to develop national planning regulations, standards and procedures, helping to organise and institutionalise the planning process in Palestine.
-
Trains planners and professionals working in the public and private sectors, and takes part in specialised committees, conferences, workshops and awareness campaigns that encourage community participation in planning.
Learn more about the Urban and Regional Planning Unit: https://www.najah.edu/en/research/scientific-centers/urban-planning-and-disaster-risk-reduction-center/urban-and-regional-planning-unit/
Partnership with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing
In September 2026, An-Najah National University signed a cooperation agreement with the Palestinian Ministry of Public Works and Housing. The agreement strengthens academic, technical and research cooperation between the two sides and covers the exchange of expertise in the planning, design, regulation, implementation and management of infrastructure projects, government buildings, roads and housing. It also includes joint research to improve the quality of government projects, training programmes for Ministry staff and practical training opportunities for University students in Ministry projects.
Helping local residents access decent and affordable housing
The University’s Housing Reform Programme, part of its long-standing community service work, helps low-income families secure safe, healthy and affordable homes. Guided by the principle that “housing is a human right”, the programme rehabilitates and renovates the homes of low-income families, the elderly, persons with disabilities and families with children, so that they can live in warmth, safety and independence without bearing costs they cannot afford.
The programme works in partnership with local communities, combining University funding, donor grants and the voluntary and in-kind contributions of residents and local partners to extend its reach. It includes both an engineering component, assessing and carrying out the necessary works, and a social component, involving families in decisions about their homes and supporting them throughout the process. Its work has included extending overcrowded homes with additional rooms and bringing kitchens and bathrooms up to healthy standards, with a particular focus on rural communities.
The University also carries out housing and sanitation repairs in Palestinian refugee camps in and around Nablus, including Balata, Askar and Old Askar, as part of its community health and wellbeing outreach.
Learn more: https://www.najah.edu/en/about/sustainability/social-responsibility/
Our commitment
By combining planning expertise, partnership with government and direct support to vulnerable households, An-Najah National University helps local authorities plan for sustainable and inclusive growth, and helps ensure that local residents can access the decent and affordable housing they need.