ABSTRACT
This chapter considers UN Habitat Placemaking projects in West Bank villages, Palestine. These villages lay in Area C, under Israeli civil and military control. The Israeli Civil Administration has denied Palestinians the ability to plan or develop whilst facilitating Israeli development for settlements and military purposes. This influences both the extent of the land occupied by both communities and the quality of life that occupation affords. The projects covered in this chapter sought to demonstrate inclusive design processes to give these communities basic experience in making choices about the use and design of shared space. The chapter notes they were partly successful. For some they provided a catalyst for hope, allowed people a better expression of their own values and cultural identity, and allowed people affirmation of their ongoing connection to the land. However for others the realization of the concepts never rose high up the list of their priorities and many saw it as a distraction from other concerns. The first four (of 16) projects were successful in winning funding and have been fully implemented. The chapter concludes that in the right circumstances they may provide a means of empowering local communities.
