HOTZE CARMEL –
AN INFRASTRUCTURAL INTERVENTION IN THE URBAN INVIROMENT OF HAIFA
AN INFRASTRUCTURAL INTERVENTION IN THE URBAN INVIROMENT OF HAIFA
Haifa bay is a center of heavy industry, refineries, port and airport. This huge urban joint disconnects Haifa's metropolis, taking over 40% of the Haifa coastline, emits the biggest amount of carcinogenic substances, and serves as a ticking bomb in the middle of the city.
In addition, recent future plans aimed to increase the refineries by 3.3, build the new Gulf Port, increasing the existing port, and disable the airport. These plans are not only turning a blind eye to the mentioned security threats, it increases them. Expansion of refineries, those responsible for the pollution, means increasing the danger and the pollution threshold to residents around.
THE PROJECT POINTS OUT THE TENSION BETWEEN OUR NECESSITY OF HEAVY INDUSTRY, AND THE THREATS IT HOLDS.
ON THE ONE HAND,
The city's economy depends on the port industry. Hundreds of thousands of families from Haifa and its surroundings rely on as resource for their livelihood.
The city's economy depends on the port industry. Hundreds of thousands of families from Haifa and its surroundings rely on as resource for their livelihood.
ON THE OTHER HAND,
The current situation of the bay area is freezing the city's natural development. Following the suggested future plans, Haifa is at a crossroads between becoming an industrial area that has a city, or a city that depends on its industry. The situation could turn into a terrible environmental disaster that is going to affect the entire northern region.
The current situation of the bay area is freezing the city's natural development. Following the suggested future plans, Haifa is at a crossroads between becoming an industrial area that has a city, or a city that depends on its industry. The situation could turn into a terrible environmental disaster that is going to affect the entire northern region.
WHAT I SUGGEST
The project is based on the planned utility tunnel "Hotze Carmel". The tunnel is ought to carry out all dangerous materials and infrastructural pipes across the Carmel Mountain while connecting between the eastern and western parts of the city.
The project offers a new perspective on Haifa underground space, and suggests to expand the infrastructure space to contain the hazardous materials, storage containers, and some of the existing factories.
The action protects the explosive substances and protects the city from those risks. In addition, more than 70% of the precious bay area could be returned to the city.
The project aims to rethink the relationship of the fundamental infrastructural elements of the city: The industry, port, airport and the transportation hub located in the bay area.
ARCHITECTURE THESIS PROJECT 2015
