Municipalities and Councils - Australians for Palestine

International Conference on the
Development of Historical Cities
The city of Hebron holds great value as
a symbol of Palestinian culture, heritage,
and history. Despite all the changes that
have taken place in the region and in the
world, Hebron still retains its Arab and
Islamic character, which has developed
over 6,000 years.
At a time of serious threats to the city
of Khalil al-Rahman Ibrahim – threats
intended to change its demography
and deny its Arab Islamic history – the
city stands steadfast. The International
Conference on the Development of
Historical Cities, of which Hebron is a
crown jewel, is a step toward preserving
the past and planning for the future.
As an initiative of the Hebron
Rehabilitation Committee, the conference
will be held in partnership with the Hebron
University Graduates Association and
in collaboration with many institutions
and individuals interested in the reality
of the city and its future under the
Palestinian government. We envisage
a comprehensive national development
strategy as an outcome of this first
conference.
Conference objectives
1. Identifying ways and means to
develop and preserve the historic
city centres
2. Clarifying the role of urban planning in
the development of historic city centres
3. Identifying ways to develop the socioeconomic
and cultural environment of
the historic city centre of Hebron and
to promote heritage and tourism
4. Activating the role of government
institutions, local institutions,
international organisations, and
relevant private-sector bodies in the
development of the historic city centres
5. Assessing the impact of the policies
and practices of the Israeli occupation
on changing and distorting the urban
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fabric and social structure of the
historic city centre in Hebron
Discussion Topics
Economic
Evaluating means to attract local
and international investors for the
development of city centres; exploring
ideas to promote tourism in historic city
centres through the creation of tourist
trails and the promotion of the unique
features of each city; using media to
support initiatives
Political
Promoting Palestinian history and
archaeological sites in cities; publicising
the persistent Judaisation of the land
and the attempts to falsify history;
highlighting the roles and responsibilities
of international and local institutions to
protect and maintain cultural heritage
Cultural and historical
Documenting characteristics of historic
cities in terms of architecture, culture,
and heritage; focusing on Hebron’s
6,000-year history and significance as
the resting place of the Prophet Abraham;
encouraging the implementation of
modern engineering and technical
projects aimed at stimulating the city’s
history by highlighting its aesthetics
and its unique architectural style, which
recounts its Arab and Islamic history
Social
Analysing the impact of social and
demographic changes on the social
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fabric of city residents; assessing
their basic needs in the absence of
comprehensive development plans, and
achieving harmony between them and
their environment
We are sincerely grateful to all
the supporters and sponsors of the
conference. We will strive to realise the
core objectives, hoping that our efforts
will lead to a viable, implementable plan
to preserve this immense human heritage
of which we are all rightly proud.
We will work tirelessly to preserve it for
future generations so as to continue the
story of our existence and attachment
to this land, and our right to inhabit it.
As the indisputable heirs of the city’s
founding fathers, we will honour and
carry its name.
Courtesy of the Hebron Rehabilitation
Committee.
Old City of Hebron. Photo from Palestine Image Bank.