Until the 1860's, the entire Jerusalem population resided within the 1 sq.km of the Old City, behind the City walls. The human fabric of the Holy City was rich and varied with communities from all corners of the Levant and the Ottoman Empire. In the second half of the 19th century the population increased drastically, with newcomers arriving mainly from European countries, further enriching the human fabric. As a result, the city expanded outside the walls and soon urban planning became a central issue.

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Today Jerusalem is a city of nearly one million, the largest city in Israel in terms of jurisdictional area. Its population remains the most ethnically and culturally varied in the country. The city faces major challenges, all of which have impacted urban planning. 

 

As a Jerusalemite, I try with this series to make sense of my own city, a modest attempt to uncover its soul...