Landscape Change in Artas

Perception of Landscape Change in the rural areas of Artas, Palestine by Samar Nazer

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Name	Artas Valley
Location	Bethlahem Governerate,central mountains of Palestine
Country	Palestine
Topic	Perception of Landscape change
Office	office or planner/designer
Client	please enter the client here
Completion	Please enter the date of completion
Project costs	Please enter the costs (if known)
Case study author(s)	Samar Nazer(s)


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Rationale: Why is this case study interesting?

Please summarise:- e.g. Design Innovation? Planning Exemplar? Theoretical Insights? Lessons learned from its failure? [It doesn’t have to have been successful]

The Artas Valley is one of the most significant places in Palestine historically, agriculturally, ecologically and in recreational terms. The majority of Artas’ inhabitants are engaged in traditional agriculture, mainly growing vegetables and fruit trees, olive groves, and vineyards. In recent years the population of Artas has grown rapidly, resulting in an increase in the demand for houses and more intense use of natural resource. The consequence has been an expansion of the built-up area, and an increase in water consumption from the springs, affecting the quantity of available water. The Israeli occupation has also affected people’s way of life in a number of ways. Many have abandoned their fields to go and work in Israel. The introduction of modern technology such as fertilizers and pesticides and the use of greenhouses into agriculture have affected the environment. In addition, recreational areas are being gradually abandoned.

Thus, the Artas Valley represents an example of a spring and stream area that has been subjected to continuous landscape changes that have affected its ecosystems, ecological values, historic sites, and the scenery. This inspired me to investigate the changes in landscapes within the Palestinian cultural settings, physically and perceptually.

Author's perspective

What theoretical or professional perspective do you bring to the case study? Please answer from your personal perspective.

Landscape and/or urban context

Biogeography, cultural features, overall character, history and dynamics

Illustration: Map; sketches; short descriptive analyses

Cultural/social/political context

Brief explanation of culture, political economy, legal framework

Illustration: Bullet points, image, background notes

History

How did the area/project/plan at the focus of the case study evolve?

Illustration: Table or time line