Renewal revolution in Haifa: Four towers and hundreds of apartments for medical staff and students

The local planning and building committee of the Haifa Municipality recommended at its meeting this week to deposit an urban renewal plan for the complex at 15-23 HaAliya HaShniya Street in the Bat Galim neighborhood. The plan, which stretches between HaAliya HaShniya Street, Aliyat HaNoar Street, and Heyl HaYam Street, is being promoted by the Haifa Municipality to establish a new residential complex that supports medicine and academia. Following the local committee's recommendation, the plan will be brought for discussion to the district planning and building committee.

According to an announcement made on Wednesday, the plan proposes to demolish eight existing four-story housing buildings built in the 1950s, which currently include 286 housing units. The existing buildings do not include protected rooms (MAMAD) or elevators and do not meet current earthquake standards.

Instead, the plan proposes to build four residential towers of about 34 stories, above a six-story base, as well as a parking system. In total, about 800 housing units are expected to be built in the complex.

One of the central features of the plan is the creation of a significant stock of small apartments of various sizes, which could be used for the housing of medical staff from Rambam Hospital, which is expected to expand, as well as for student dormitories for the Technion's medical school, located adjacent to the complex.

The idea of promoting a residential complex that supports medicine and academia was formulated after contacts held by the Haifa Municipality with the administrations of Rambam and the Technion. Based on these needs, the Urban Renewal Administration formulated a unique housing program incorporated into the plan.

In addition to housing, the plan includes about 5,000 sqm of commercial space and about 1,500 sqm designated for public buildings, including kindergartens, youth clubs, a cultural center, and a clinic. Another significant component is doubling the area of the "HaAliya" school from 3 dunams to about 6 dunams to accommodate new young families.

The complex is a central link in the urban renewal sequence emerging along the southern side of HaAliya HaShniya Boulevard, located between the "Heyl HaYam" and "HaAliya HaShniya" complexes.

Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav said: "Bat Galim is at the heart of one of the most important academic and medical centers in Israel. The plan we approved creates a high-quality, modern residential complex adapted to the needs of doctors, researchers, students, and the community."

Deputy Mayor Sarit Golan noted: "This is an example of urban renewal that looks at the neighborhood with a broad vision. Creating a complex adapted to academic and medical needs will allow Bat Galim to develop while maintaining its character."

Haifa Municipality CEO David Luria said: "This plan demonstrates how a municipality can create public value through precise planning. The connection between physical renewal and the needs of Rambam and the Technion allows us to create a new housing model."

Head of the Urban Renewal Administration Orna Mor added: "We examined the unique needs of Bat Galim and formulated a housing mix that includes small apartments of flexible area, providing an answer for medical staff and the student population."