The First Palestinian Urban Forum was launched yesterday, March 27th, at An-Najah University under the title “Toward a Sustainable Palestinian Urban Development: A Collective Responsibility”. The Forum was organized by An-Najah, the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government, the United Nations Agency for Human Settlements (UNHABITAT) and Nablus Municipality and took place at the Prince Turki Bin Abdul Aziz Theater, New Campus-An-Najah University.

Key attendees included Mr.  Joan Clos, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UNHABITAT, Prof. Rami Hamdallah, President of An-Najah University, Brigadier Jibrin Al-Bakri, Nablus Governor, Dr. Khaled Al-Qawasmi, Minister of Local Government, Engineer Adli Yaish, Mayor of Nablus, Engineer Mazen Ghneim, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Local Government, in addition to a large number of Palestinian, Arab and international experts and planners.

In the opening of this grand event Prof. Hamdallah delivered the welcoming speech in which he expressed the University’s honor to receive Mr. Clos and thanked him for his interest to visit Palestine and take part in the Forum. He also expressed the University’s pleasure to host such event at its premises.

Moreover, the President said An-Najah which is concerned with achieving continuous development in the various fields so as to provide the Palestinian society with the best services has given substantial attention to the field of urban planning being a major tool to eliminate randomness in architecture which often causes distortion in the shape of cities and urban areas. Therefore, the University has worked hard to achieve this through establishing relationships with the different ministries and institutions related to this issue.

He also added that based on the University’s recognition of its pioneering role in serving the local society, it has given substantial attention to urban planning and urban development through the academic programs adopted at the related faculties. It also focused on this area through dedicating its scientific centers such as the Urban Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction Center and the Seismic Engineering Unit.

Additionally, the University has adopted the Master Degree program in Urban and Regional Planning since 1997, and has recently introduced a Bachelor Degree program in Urban Planning Engineering to prepare qualified staff in this field. Moreover, An-Najah has always encouraged researchers to conduct studies in the field of urban planning in order to improve the urban conditions and infrastructure, in addition to dealing with the problems that result from the increase in population and the challenges that impacted both land and man.

Prof. Hamdallah spoke about the University’s concern with establishing and maintaining cooperation and partnership with other institutions, in addition to exchanging thoughts and expertise in the different fields of urban planning and development. It has also signed many cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding with many international universities and advanced research centers such as the Local and National Planning Institute at RWTH Aachen University, the Department of Earth Sciences at the Politecnico di Milano University in Italy, School of Architecture and the Built Environment at KTH, the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm- Sweden, the Institute of Development and Urban Studies at the University of Rennes 2  in France, the Arab Towns Organization and the Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities.

On the local level, Prof. Hamdallah pointed out that the University has worked hard to establish strong relationships with the different ministries including the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Planning, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, in addition to the related institutions, local bodies and public and official bodies. This cooperation would contribute to the provision of the required experience and technical support in the field of urban, developmental and strategic planning.

In an example on its participation in serving the local society, the University has cooperated with Nablus Municipality to prepare a vehicle that works as a special unit for disaster risk reduction, media and social service. The University also has close relationships with several international organizations working in Palestine such as the UN-HABITAT, the UNDP, the UNESCO, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), German Agency for International Cooperation (GTZ), the World Bank, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) with respect to implementing projects and conducting studies related to urban development.

Engineer Yaish spoke about the importance of this event as addresses a major issue that can have substantial impact on the shape of the country in the future. He also said that Nablus has been built by the Canaanites 4500 years ago and has been a place where ancient history meets modern world creating a unique combination. Although the occupation has tried hard to eliminate the city’s history and heritage, Nablus has managed to live through it and prosper.

Additionally, he described the many projects that the Municipality has accomplished which contributed to changing the city’s major features to the better.

Mr. Clos thanked An-Najah University for hosting this major event and hoped that the Palestinian people would be able to achieve all of its aspirations and dreams especially those related to urban development. He also praised the University’s various facilities that provide advanced services in all fields, and emphasized the importance of planning on all levels.

Furthermore, he spoke about the challenges that the Palestinian people face and pointed out that Palestinians have the potential to work and successfully overcome difficulties. He also hoped that the Forum would come up with the best recommendations to be discussed in the International Forum which will be held in Italy on December 2012.

Dr. Al-Qawasmi delivered a speech on behalf of Palestinian Prime Minister, Dr. Salam Fayyad, in which he thanked all those who contributed to the organization of this event. He also spoke about the importance of urban planning for all nations and described the Palestinian Authority’s concern with following up on the Palestinian situation in this regard.

Moreover, he spoke about the development fund of the municipalities and major projects that is carried out in the West Bank and Gaza to support the Palestinian people in their life.

The Forum main objectives were to reinforce policy and public dialogue regarding the current situation and the prospects of development in Palestine, in addition to shedding light on the current status of urban development in Palestine, the challenges that it faces and the problems that the Palestinian institutions encounter on all levels.

The Forum addressed four main themes: The challenges of urban development and future, administration and urban governance, the policies and practices of architectural planning, as well as issues related to land and housing.