Under the auspices of An-Najah University President, Prof. Rami Hamdallah, and Brigadier Jibrin Al-Bakri, Governor of Nablus, the University organized a workshop titled “Prospects of Joint Planning and Cooperation between Nablus and the nearby Communities” at the Korean Palestinian IT Institute of Excellence, New Campus. The workshop was the result of cooperation between the Urban and Regional Planning Unit at An-Najah and the Ministry of Local Government, Nablus Municipality and Governorate.

Attendees to the workshop included Engineer Mazen Ghunaim, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Local Government, Dr. Tawfeeq Al-Budairi, Assistant Undersecretary for Engineering and Planning Affairs at the Ministry, Mr. Abdel Kareem Sader, Assistant Undersecretary for Local Bodies Affairs at the Ministry of Local Government, Mr. Sameer Dawabsheh, General Manager of the Joint Councils at the Ministry, Mr. Adli Yaish, Mayor of Nablus,  Mr. Ghassan Al-Masri, as Representative of Nablus Governor, Mr. Khaled Shtaiyyeh, General Director of Local Government in Nablus, Dr. Jalal Dabbeek, Coordinator of the Scientific Centers at An-Najah, Dr. Ali Abdel Hamid, Director of the Urban and Regional Planning Unit, in addition to heads and members of village councils in the western and southern regions in Nablus, and members of the Engineering Faculty’s staff at An-Najah.

Dr. Dabbeek first welcomed the participants and delivered a speech on behalf of Prof. Hamdallah saying that An-Najah is still working according to a comprehensive and integrated strategy that is based on three dimensions: teaching, scientific research and community services.

Moreover, he said that the University is following different paths in order to achieve what it wants and organizes many conferences and workshops to achieve this. He also pointed out the role of the University’s scientific centers in serving the society and cooperating with the related bodies with respect to preparing projects and awareness plans. He also emphasized that the University is working hard to make this workshop a success.

Engineer Ghunaim praise the quality performance of the University in producing highly qualified graduates and emphasized the cooperation that the Ministry of Local Government has with the University in various fields. Moreover, he said that the Nablus needs a comprehensive plan through which services can be delivered equally and effectively to the people.

In the same context, he spoke about the Israeli practices through which the occupation has tried to eliminate the demographic balance over the last 15 years. This has represented a burden for local government institutions and affected their performance. However, he explained that this should not represent a justification for not trying to execute a comprehensive planning for the city of Nablus and the surrounding areas especially that the population is increasing and the economical situation is not that good.

Mr. Ghassan Al-Masri stressed the important role of local councils and valued the role of the Ministry of Local Government in reading and diagnosing the planning reality of the Governorate.

After that, Dr. Abdel Hamid presented proposals and alternatives that included the organization and direction of the urban expansion process and the organization of road networks, facilities and public services in Nablus, in addition to the villages near the city.

During the workshop, the participants exchanged ideas and opinions regarding the proposals and organizational alternatives, in addition to join cooperation prospects between the Municipality and the concerned village councils. The participants emphasized the importance of joint planning through preparing studies that organize the urban development in the area. They also agreed on holding periodic meetings over the coming period between the Municipality and the village councils in cooperation and participation of the Ministry of Local Government and the University for the purpose of following up on the workshop’s recommendations.