| Jerusalem |
| The Old City and Old City Basin |
| Survey of Selected Monuments |
| Orderer | Jerusalem Development Company |
| Duration | October 2006 |
| Implemented by: |
Arch. Shachar Puni
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This monument survey included twenty eight sites, twenty of which are located in the Old City and are declared monuments according to the new Master Plan for the Old City 10276 (pending approval); eight other sites are located in the Old City basin and have been declared “selected sites” in accordance with the Jerusalem 2000 Local Master Plan (pending approval).
The survey was conducted for the purpose of proposing a method for decision making with regard to the treatment of ancient monuments in the Old City. Based on the proposed method, in the first phase an information card will be prepared for each of the sites and in the second phase the priority for the treatment of the sites will be determined in accordance with the all of collected information.
The Format for a Site Card
The proposed format for a site card includes the following information details:
1. Geographic, archaeological and statutory data – site location, description of the remains in it, its historical background and date.
2. The site in its immediate surroundings – the physical state of the remains’ preservation and an examination of its cultural significance based on physical, cultural and religious criteria.
3. Recording conclusions with regard to the development of the site – recommended measures required for its development; an appraisal of the tourism potential, an evaluation of the development capability taking into account the ownership of the land, the designated use of the land and existing plans; and an appraisal of the required economic investment. All of these factors are necessary in order to prioritize the treatment of the sites.
4. Plans and photographs of the site and its surroundings.
Prioritizing the Treatment of the Monuments in the Old City
Three criteria are used as a basis in prioritizing the treatment of the sites:
1. The value of the site: in accordance with the study of its historical, physical and religious attributes.
2. Ability to intervene (the willingness on the part of the owners for conservation intervention, statutory situation, etc.).
3. The urgency for treatment in accordance with the level of risk the site is subject to. There are natural and man-made factors in the risk category. Also taken into account for example are climatic damage, the level of maintenance and sanitation, and the load bearing capacity of the site.
The value of these criteria can be adjusted for the relative importance of each element or they can be presented in parallel.
Conclusion. The work was presented to the Jerusalem Development Corporation and it is likely to serve as a guideline for the future surveying of monuments in the Old City and in prioritizing the treatment of them.
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