Rothschild Boulevard Voted Israel's Most Beloved Street in New Study
A comprehensive study by Israel's Planning Administration reveals the nation's most beloved streets, highlighting Rothschild Boulevard, Dizengoff, and Afula's Arlosoroff.
What makes a street in Israel a place people love? Is it the shops and cafes, the trees and shade, the wide sidewalks, or simply the feeling of pleasant and safe walking? The Planning Administration sought to answer this question as part of the “Good Streets” project, which examined public preferences and then deeply analyzed 18 streets chosen as case studies.
The Survey and Top Rankings
The foundation of the research was an online survey conducted between December 23, 2024, and January 23, 2025. A total of 2,808 respondents participated, voting for more than 800 streets across the country and explaining what makes a street a beloved place for them. Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv topped the ranking and was chosen as the most beloved street in Israel. It was followed by Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv, while a surprise came in third place: Arlosoroff Boulevard in Afula.
Further down the top list appeared Jaffa Street in Jerusalem in fourth place, Bialik Street in Ramat Gan in fifth, and Shenkin Street in Tel Aviv in sixth. The prominent common denominator among these streets is a combination of urban activity, pedestrian comfort, trees and shading, alongside historical or community characteristics.
What People Look For in a Street
The data indicates that trees and vegetation are at the top of the priority list. 50.04% of respondents mentioned shading, trees, and vegetation when explaining why they chose a particular street. 33.94% mentioned public transport, bicycle lanes, and connectivity, 28.85% referred to mixed-use and services, and 23.33% noted quiet, safety, and walking comfort.
Even when participants were asked specifically which elements make a street good, trees and vegetation ranked first, with 15.36% of the marks. They were followed by a good location in the city, shops and businesses, walking comfort, sidewalks, and shade.
Size Doesn't Matter: Narrow Streets and Activity
One of the main insights of the research is that a successful street is not necessarily a wide one. 11 out of the 18 analyzed streets have a width of up to 20 meters. A narrow street allows eye contact between both sides, makes crossing easier, and creates a sense of a defined urban space. Another component is active facades. When shops, cafes, and windows face the street directly and buildings are located close to the sidewalk, a continuous connection is created between the private and public sphere.
Ultimately, the research points to several recurring characteristics: trees and shade, comfortable sidewalks, short distances between intersections, active facades, a variety of buildings and uses, seating areas, and a scale suited to pedestrians.
