City center to turn into 'artists' quarter'
Photo: David Hacohen
Mayor Barkat. 'Jerusalem will become Israel's leading city'
Photo: Noam Moskowitz
Jerusalem aims to become cultural center
Five years from now, capital will be unrecognizable: Modern sports centers, parks hosting international concerts, artists' quarter. 'We're witnessing a revolution,' says Mayor Barkat of new plan
Should Tel Aviv's residents be worried? Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has revealed a map of the capital's future culture and sports complexes expected to be built within the next five years.
He added that "the new complexes will host a large variety of events – starting with international singers' concerts, through the Maccabiah Games, to Israel's leading cinema, acting and art schools."
"We're in the midst of a revolution," the mayor said. "Jerusalem is taking center stage again, and with the facelift we've announced it will become Israel's leading city."
Ambitious Goal
Barkat, who surrounds himself with young aides because older employees 'don't understand' him, says he wants to bring 10 million tourists to capital every year. 'When you mention Jerusalem anywhere in the world, people's eyes light up,' he says
One of the most intriguing parts of the plan is the revival of the city center, which will be turned into an "artists' quarter" that will include leading cinema, theater and music schools, a designers' compound and galleries, as well as a theater center. The Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design will relocate to the nearby Russian Compound.
Some of Jerusalem's parks and public gardens will undergo extensive renovation in order to host major international performances. The city's sports complexes are also expected to undergo a serious renovation. The Teddy Stadium will be expanded, and a modern multi-purpose sports arena will be built nearby.
Another impressive project set to be inaugurated as part of the new plan is a museum district, which will include – in addition to the already renovated Israel Museum – a new national library and the Bible Land Museum, which will be expanded.
Those who are bored by museums will be able to escape to the new Cinema City complex being built in the capital.
The plan was announced last week during the Jerusalem Economic Forum, which was attended by Culture and Sports Minister Limor Livnat. "Wise investment in culture and sports in Jerusalem will not only leverage the city's economic development, but will also strengthen its status as Israel's capital in the international arena," said Livnat of the ambitious project.
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