Political instability is one of the most important drivers that affect land use change and urban expansion, especially in areas that face political problems and wars. Spatial planning at its various levels (local, national, and regional levels) in Palestine has been historically influenced by political events and systems that have dominated it since the second half of the nineteenth century. The planning policies that were practiced before the coming of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the year 1994 were a tool of political control to extend the life of the ruling authority. Planning in Palestine not only affects the prospects for future development and prosperity of the Palestinians, but also affects the prospects for their identity, independence, and their right to life on their land. The limited area of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), the steady increase in the number of people, and the increasing demand for resources (the most important of which are land) require a rational and sustainable organization of land uses and proper planning to develop plans and policies for development. The research aims at investigating the impact of political instability and conflict over land on urban development and planning in the OPT as well as exploring the role of the adopted urban planning policies and mechanisms by the PA in achieving a sustainable urban land management system. The research adopted descriptive methodology to understand land planning institutions and to guide and manage land supply policies. Palestinian institutions concerned with urban planning have endeavored to respond to Palestinian changes and challenges such as limited control over natural resources and land and restrictions imposed on urban expansion, by creating innovative land mechanisms. The research concludes that for the achievement of a sustainable urban land management, the local authority has to develop the capabilities and the regulatory framework to manage urban land processes at the local, national, and regional levels. This research is based on historical approach through reviewing the studies and researches that dealt with the issue of urban planning in Palestine. It also depends on the descriptive and analytical approaches when discussing the current status of the urban planning process and the sustainable urban land management in the State of Palestine. On the other hand, the research depends on both the academic and practical experience of the author in the field of urban planning.

Title

Book chapter in Soliman, A.M., Keivani, R. (eds) Innovations for Land Management, Governance, and Land Rights for Sustainable Urban Transitions.

Publisher

Springer, Cham

Publisher Country

United States of America

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

--

Year

2024

Pages

169-186