Ashkelon advances renewal plans for four older neighborhoods
Ashkelon has taken another step toward renewing older neighborhoods: the government approved the advancement of four urban renewal complexes through VATMAL, Israel’s national committee for priority housing projects. The complexes are Histadrut–HaPoretzim, Shai Agnon, Givati–Bar Kokhba and Gideon–Ben Yoash.
Ashkelon Municipality said on July 1 that the government had approved the declaration of four city complexes as priority housing planning areas. This status allows the projects to move through VATMAL, Israel’s accelerated national route for major housing plans.
The approved list includes four zones in older neighborhoods: Histadrut–HaPoretzim, Shai Agnon, Givati–Bar Kokhba and Gideon–Ben Yoash. For residents, this does not mean construction starts tomorrow: detailed planning, approvals, resident engagement and permits are still ahead. But the decision means these areas are moving into a more active planning stage.
According to the municipality, the decision is part of a broader urban renewal programme. Plans are already advancing in the Puerta del Sol, HaNasi and South Africa Avenue complexes, while additional programmes are in advanced stages in the city’s southern neighborhoods, including Ehud HaTchiya and Olei HaGardom.
The municipality also said two large central-city plans are expected to come before VATMAL in the coming months: the Eli Cohen–HaNasi complex and the Ben-Gurion complex. According to the city, these could add more than 5,000 new housing units.
Residents in the named areas should follow official municipal notices and planning documents, avoid signing commitments without professional advice, and check who represents the project, the residents and the developer.
FAQ
- Is this already a construction approval?
- No. It is an advancement of planning through the national VATMAL route. Construction still requires detailed plans, approvals, resident engagement and permits.
- Which areas are included?
- Histadrut–HaPoretzim, Shai Agnon, Givati–Bar Kokhba and Gideon–Ben Yoash.
- What should residents in these buildings do?
- Follow official notices, check project documents and avoid signing commitments without independent professional advice.
