The aging buildings across Israel have become a ticking time bomb. This isn’t a new phenomenon, but rather the result of years of neglect, systemic indifference, and crippling bureaucratic red tape.
Recent events in Israel serve as stark reminders of why urban revitalization is a necessity, from missile fire highlighting the urgent need for reinforced security rooms to the sudden evacuation of homes due to structural collapse. Following the collapse of a residential building in Holon last month, a wave of evacuations followed in Ramat Gan, Kiryat Ata, Beit Shemesh, and Raanana, where residents were forced to flee their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs. This is likely just the beginning; a wider wave of evacuations is expected, even as the future of the National Outline Plan for building fortification remains uncertain and permit delays persist.
Many Israeli buildings from the 1950s and 60s were constructed with low-grade materials, lacking modern standards or long-term durability. It therefore comes as no surprise that they are currently facing imminent collapse. Reality demands that state authorities wake up and prioritize urban renewal before disaster strikes.
State Comptroller Matanyahu Engelman, who recently visited the collapse site in Holon, warned of the looming danger: “We witnessed an event that was a step away from mass casualties. We cannot afford to wait for more commissions of inquiry or fatalities. All relevant parties—from local authorities to the government—must act immediately to address dangerous structures before tragedy occurs.” He added that his office is currently preparing a comprehensive report on the handling of hazardous buildings.
These collapses have prompted many citizens to notice cracks in their own homes and report them, driving a surge in interest for urban renewal. At our firm, which has a decade of experience and dozens of TAMA and Pinuy-Binuy projects in Jerusalem, we are seeing a dramatic spike in inquiries. One of the primary challenges is that many residents are seeking to move forward but simply don’t know where to start.
It is important to recall that many residents of aging buildings are elderly or have limited means and low access to information. As an established development firm with a strong reputation, we’ve managed to reach out to many individuals, but this is an initiative that requires national intervention. It’s vital that the state and local authorities mobilize their efforts, simplify bureaucracy, and launch proactive campaigns to raise awareness of the critical nature of these processes.
Another significant hurdle is the refusal of minority residents. Currently, the law requires 80% consent for Pinuy-Binuy projects, which stalls many projects. However, a significant change is on the horizon: a proposal by Housing Minister Zeev Elkin, which was already ratified in its first hearing, aims to lower the threshold to 66% for all projects (Pinuy-Binuy and TAMA)—and to 51% in cases of dangerous structures.
Yet resident interest alone is still insufficient to accelerate the urban revitalization process. Paradoxically, one of the primary factors delaying these processes is the local authorities and planning committees themselves. Only last month, 84 mayors and local council heads sent a letter to Housing Minister Zeev Elkin and Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked, urging them to conduct a comprehensive survey and mapping of the country’s old buildings and to promote their restoration and renewal. Some of the signatories on this letter are the very same local leaders who are hesitant to promote urban renewal projects within their own cities.
Regrettably, many local authorities view urban revitalization as a financial and infrastructural burden, leading them to delay or even obstruct its progress. They are joined by planning and building committees which create bureaucratic red tape. When combined with the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Israeli housing market, it’s clear that we are facing a national crisis that demands a fundamental change in approach.
Urban revitalization has come a long way. There are many experienced developers and professionals who have successfully navigated the entire process, from evacuation to re-occupancy. We are a key resource that can and should assist the state in accelerating these processes. For this to happen, the Israeli government must make urban renewal a flagship project, allocating the necessary resources and budgets to promote it. Simultaneously, the nation must acknowledge that this is an urgent need, both for building safety and as a cornerstone of the housing market. The time to take action and ensure genuine reform is now, rather than wait for tragedy to act as our catalyst.