A Layered City

Ariel University, School of Architecture, Ariel

Project idea

Tiberias as a Layered City

The project reimagines Tiberias as a layered urban environment shaped by its intense topography, historical depth, and unique relationship between city, landscape, and community. It seeks to strengthen the connection between people and place by creating an urban framework that encourages movement, gathering, learning, and everyday interaction.

Through a network of public spaces, community programs, pedestrian routes, and moments of pause, the project transforms the city’s steep terrain from a barrier into an active spatial experience. The proposal connects different levels, neighborhoods, and public functions, allowing the city to become more accessible, walkable, and meaningful in daily life.

The main objective is to create spaces that residents can identify with and visitors can experience as distinctly Tiberian. By reinforcing local identity, community life, and the awareness of place, the project offers a renewed urban experience rooted in the qualities that only Tiberias can provide.

Project description

The project addresses the urban and architectural renewal of Tiberias through a layered public framework that connects the city’s steep topography, existing urban fabric, and community needs. The proposal focuses on creating a continuous pedestrian spine that links residential areas, public spaces, commercial activity, educational functions, and community programs.

The scope includes the development of new public routes, plazas, mixed-use edges, community facilities, and a school–community center relationship that extends activity beyond the school day. By connecting different levels of the city and introducing spaces for movement, gathering, learning, and everyday interaction, the project transforms the challenging topography into an accessible and active urban experience.

Rather than treating the site as a single isolated building, the solution operates as an urban system, strengthening walkability, local identity, public life, and the relationship between residents, visitors, and the unique landscape of Tiberias.

Technical information

Location: Tiberias, Israel
Project Type: Urban and architectural renewal
Site Area: 40 dunams / approximately 40,000 m²
Topographic Difference: 18 meters
Main Pedestrian Route: 400-meter walkable urban spine
Urban Context: The site is framed by two main urban roads that define its edges and connect it to the wider city network
Main Programs: Residential, commercial, educational, community, and public spaces
Key Elements: Public plazas, mixed-use ground floors, residential edges, community center, school, bridges, shaded walkways, and semi-public courtyards
Design Objective: To transform the steep topography into an accessible pedestrian experience while strengthening walkability, public life, and local identity in Tiberias

Documentation

Show PDF 1Show PDF 2Show PDF 3Show PDF 4Show PDF 5Show PDF 6