3 Creative Jerusalem Initiatives: Ultimate Urban Recycling

The Jewish Agency Board of Governors met in Jerusalem

with the unification of Jerusalem as its theme, but

their annual meetings and agendas were overshadowed by

the controversies over the Kotel, Western Wall, and the conversion bill.

However, tours were organized

 by the Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research

for interested international delegates to see ‘Jerusalem Up-Close’.

Hi-Tech, Haredim, and East Jerusalem were offered,

but ‘Jerusalem Civic Society’ captured my attention,

with not one, but three locations I wanted to see.

First stop HaMiffal.

Sign for new Jerusalem Israel art hub

Walk across King David Street,

from the David Citadel Hotel,

and make a quick left past the Jerusalem Waldorf Astoria,

the there in the courtyard,

Urban development Jerusalem

is this simple sculpture and building.

Jerusalem had many old abandoned buildings.

Artists work area in HaMiffal

So members of the Jerusalem artistic community,

started taking over these sites,

and instead of drug havens, they became workshops.

HaMiffal has flourished.

Culture space for New Spirit Jerusalem Israel

Now working with the municipality,

Room in HaMiffal Jerusalem Israel abandoned building became artists hub

 multiple rooms inside,

Jerusalem art and culture space Ha Miffal

and hallways, display various expressions of art.

The old, new and creative coming together,

Fire, security system at HaMIffal

and now, insured and protected by modern security systems.

Next stop was the Clal Building,

located near Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk.

 MUSLALA

Roof top agriculture in Binyun Clal

the Terrace, is a rooftop for new urbanism,

The Clal Building was envisioned to be an urban mall.

However,

Elevator in Binyun Clal Jerusalem Israel white elephant

it felt like a giant sauna as we climbed the spiral stair case.

But up on the roof,

Roof top agriculture and space urbanization

we found Gag-Eden, a center for urban agriculture and sustainable living,

Mirpeset top of Binyun clal roof garden

has added vegetation and community meeting areas,

Mirspeset roof garden Binyun Clal

promoting green technology for urban dwellers.

While inside,

Workspace for artists top of Binyun Clal at Mirpeset

there is workshop space for handicrafts of earth materials.

Thanks to our guide Lior Schillat,

the director general of the Jerusalem Institute,

this was first time I did not get lost in the building.

There are over 300 shops in the building,

each privately owned, not rented,

and most are empty these days.

Best eye glass repair shop in Jerusalem Israel

 My favorite eyeglass repair shop was still in business.

Where else in world do you get a warranty that is good

“Until Moshiach comes.”

Still waiting for the arrival of the Messiah,

and the glasses did not break after his repair.

For the third stop on the tour,

we crossed Ki”akh Street,

the street everyone knows, but not by name,

 to Beit Alliance.

The first time I tried to find the building was at night.

I walked back and forth, finally someone had to come out

and show me how to enter.

Beit Alliance Building in Jerusalem Israel near Machane Yehuda Market

This old building is in the midst of a construction area.

All around, and in the shuk, you will see re-gentrification.

The first floor of Beit Alliance hosts new hi-tech start-ups,

while upstairs there is also a center for civic issues,

Kitchen in Beit Alliance Building in Jerusalem Israel

with a kitchen as a communal meeting spot,

Beit Alliance new office in old building

 and offices and meeting rooms.

Newest of all is the space developing downstairs.

Jerusalem, Israel, has been known for many things,

but not for fashion design.

Design center in lower floor BEit Alliance Building Jerusalem

With new opportunities, this jewelry designer,

Beit Alliance new fashion center Jerusalem Israel

is one of four designers sharing this space,

Beit Alliance will be a new must see, stop and shop spot.

There you have it,

three old and abandoned locations

are now active cultural and creative spaces.

It’s time for you to come and see

what is really happening in Jerusalem.

More photos of the tour are published on Facebook

can be seen HERE

11 thoughts on “3 Creative Jerusalem Initiatives: Ultimate Urban Recycling

  • June 28, 2017 at 11:47 am
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    Outstanding revolutions for the better. Have eaten delicious meals at Hamifal and lovvve the place.

    Reply
    • June 28, 2017 at 12:35 pm
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      Thank you, yes they serve drinks there also, one way to finance the place. As usual too much material for one post.

      Reply
    • June 30, 2017 at 11:26 am
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      You found my favorite watch maker too! The man is incredible. He can fix anything and charges almost nothing. And does it while you wait! A perfect example of “the Real Streets of Jerusalem.” (PS I still get lost trying to find him.) Shabbat Shalom

      Reply
      • June 30, 2017 at 12:18 pm
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        Thanks for writing and second opinion! Shabat shalom

        Reply
  • June 28, 2017 at 3:31 pm
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    I love Muslala’s Gag-Eden as you call it. We go often to their events, which always has amazing music. We used to live in Musrara, where Muslala began and know the team of talented people very well. So happy you posted this in English. I have been wanting to share with others this amazing space they must see. They also have a Bee Hive !

    Reply
    • June 28, 2017 at 7:47 pm
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      Yes, bees also for green roof agriculture. It was hard to edit down so much to one post. Wait roof top sleep overs next.

      Reply
  • June 29, 2017 at 4:26 am
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    The main problem with Binyan Klal (I’m a tenant there for four years now), is that the management refuses to manage the property correctly. By day, businesses struggle primarily because of this mis-management (it’s hard to find offices, they don’t clean the outside enough, etc.). Worse, because the government has rented space (police, collections and debts authority, City Pass, etc.), the tenants can’t reach a majority to throw the poor management out (they were given a 30 year management contract, automatically renewed unless a large portion of the tenants want them out). It’s a great location and I’m always surprised that the city allows such violations – garbage, construction materials left around, endless smoking, etc.

    I’m hopeful that with some recent internal renovations, the city will remember the site and put pressure on the management organization (or better, force them out and find another one interested in the quality of the building rather than profit).

    Reply
    • June 29, 2017 at 4:42 am
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      Thank you. As most things in Jerusalem, it is complicated and with so many varied interests, hard to understand how the situation continues. It should be perfect location for businesses.

      Reply
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