Innovation and Paradigm Shift in Regional and National

Innovation and Paradigm Shift in Regional and National Spatial Policy Daniel Gat Center for Urban and Regional Studies Technion

From invention to innovation Supportive environment Problem/Need, backed by demand Inventor The innovation diamond Financing mechanism entrepreneur

Major Global Problems Looking for Solutions • ENERGY SHORTAGE • GLOBAL WARMING • INTERNATIONAL TERROR … The response so far: A matrix of innovations called SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Or GREENTHINK

Major Israeli Problems • SAPATIO-SOCIO-ECONOMIC DIVERGENCE • “TEL AVIV NATION” SYNDROME • IMMIGRATION, EMMIGRATION AND THE BRAIN DRAIN Proposed Response: Paradigm Shift in Regional and National Spatial Policy

The Best and the Rest A highly accessible country “One Nation, Indivisible…” Main Rail Network Cross Israel Expressway The existing scenario Versus the desired scenario A Single National Growth Corridor Source: Soffer & Bystrov Sources: Cross Israel Expressway Israel Rail Company

Paradigm Shift in Regional and National Spatial Policy: A Matrix of Innovations including • Creation of a Single Nationwide Growth Corridor • Accelerated Completion of Ground Transportation System: • North and South Edges of the Trans Israel Expressway • North South and Eastern Extensions of the Israel-Rail Network • • Abandoning the “Park and Ride” Station Design Style Transit Oriented Districts attached to Rail Stops (TOD) Edu-TOD at Designated Key Locations Such a policy twist will address the local and global sustainability problems

Abandoning the “Park and Ride” Station Design Style: An extreme example at Rosh-Ha-ayin and Park Afek. A primer on How Not to Design a Town Train Stop 3 k m Knowledge Park Here, there and everywhere Town A primer on what not to do: “A City is Not a Tree”, Christopher Alexander

Edu-TOD at Designated Key Locations: Station development including academic institute, nonpolluting employment and foot-accessible housing Existing town center Sapir New Campus Knowledge Park flanking 24 hr Pedestrian Street Sapir Old Campus Power center (committed) Train Station (designated) Housing, condos Housing, Town houses Housing, Detached and semi detached Sderot Exercise Source: Lior Vitkon

Joint-Venturing among Government Bodies To accomplish this long overdue paradigm shift, Israeli Institutional Environment dictates joint venture among the following Government Bodies: • MEMI, the National Land Administration • The Israel National Rail Company • The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development • The Internal Affairs Ministry (in charge of Master Planning) My Assessment: The probability of such a JOINT-VENTURE arising from within the government is. . .

Dilemma • The probability of such a JOINT-VENTURE arising from within the government is practically ZERO • Even a formal and published government decision, budgeted at 17 billion shekels, to upgrade the Negev (the Near South) has come to nothing • My wild card: a joint venture among research universities. . . Or Preying?