New Trajectories in Historic Preservation: The Rise of Built-Heritage Protection in Israel

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Current research into Israeli historic preservation policy tends to focus on the ideological and socioeconomic factors that mold preservation of the built heritage. However, few attempts have been made to measure preservation policy, to inquire whether it is a growing phenomenon, or to clearly identify economic and political factors which may have an impact on its assimilation in the planners’ toolkit. To remedy that, this article studies preservation policies in Israel by looking at hundreds of development plans inclusive of heritage-protection mechanisms. A learning curve is identified indicating how gradually more plans were introduced through the years by localities and especially by major Israeli cities. The increase in preservation efforts clearly suggests that fiscal constraints, contested pasts, and existing heritage dissonances have not prevented continuous preservation efforts. These efforts can be explained by looking at economic boons in the form of statutory incentives, the location of protected historic properties, and the types of heritage being protected.