Building Jerusalem - Jerusalem Foundation

City Squares
he new overall plan for the city center calls for Jaffa
Road to be closed to traffic making it one large pedestrian
mall. With Jaffa Road serving as the route’s main artery
and the city’s main boulevard, plans are also underway
to create visual points of interest and islands for rest and
leisure along the road — Davidka Square, Zion Square
and Zahal Square. Special art installations designed by
leading artists from around the world will add another
dimension to the city squares and the entire city center
development.
Facing the prestigious Safra Square, home of City Hall,
Zahal Square is the gateway to downtown from the
southern and eastern neighborhoods. Situated adjacent
to the walls of the old city, it is also a continuation of the
national park formed by the green ring around them. The
world-famous town planner and architect Moshe Safdie
was commissioned to redesign this bustling intersection.
Half way down the road in the center of the shopping and
business area is Zion Square, where world renowned
artist, Ron Arad, will install a sculpture designed for this
space. At the opposite end of Jaffa Road is the Davidka
Square, originally built to honor the famous weapon
that saved the day in the War of Independence. The
square will be renovated to turn it into a pleasant oasis
in the center of the hustle and bustle of the city. A series
of stone columns and water elements will shield it from
the busy traffic of the main streets which border it.
The Jerusalem Foundation
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