Looking at Jerusalem

Jerusalem serves as a microcosm of Israel’s geopolitical, social, and cultural landscape. This seminar has two main objectives: first, to provide students with a thorough understanding of the city as a case study, comparing it to other World Heritage sites; and second, to foster a deep theoretical discussion on issues related to the study of place, including its values, culture, and design. The Old City, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in Danger, provides a framework for defining Outstanding Universal Values and assessing authenticity and integrity in line with international conventions and recommendations. 

While focusing on the multiplicities of interactions between the tangible and intangible, the built envelope – the "volume of the city" and the "traces of the city" that is expressed in the spirit of place, atmosphere, character and style of the city, the contemporary interventions of the metropolis will need to support the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. With the metropolis becoming the urban category with the largest population worldwide, we will consider what specific role can heritage play in the sustainable development in Jerusalem and its environs with over a million inhabitants.

By the end of the seminar, students will gain familiarity with the geography and history of Jerusalem, be able to articulate its significance, and develop skills in applying both local and global methodologies to urban conservation challenges.