The world urgently needs a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In parallel with progress toward a long-term political settlement, other indispensable steps for peace and prosperity include infrastructure planning and economic development. In this report, the authors offer a vision for how spatial planning, infrastructure, and resource management in the West Bank and Gaza could better the daily lives of Palestinians now while supporting the evolution of a future Palestinian state. The vision incorporates six sectors (governance, environment, cities, transportation, energy, and water), about 200 projects, and plans in six locations (Nablus, Jericho, Hebron, Gaza City, North Jordan Valley, and East Jerusalem). The authors propose both quick-win projects that could begin immediately at the local level, even without a political solution, and longer-term, strategic infrastructure investments that would require regional agreements; incrementally, over time, these projects can comprise the essential infrastructure of a future state. The goal of this report is to contribute a tool for dialogue and rational planning, offering an integrated, technical approach to aid diplomacy and economic development.
A Spatial Vision for Palestine: A Long-Term Plan That Can Begin Now | RAND
