Safed Launches Major Development Plan for Thousands of New Housing Units

Safed is set to undergo a major urban transformation under a comprehensive development plan that includes thousands of new housing units, commercial spaces, and infrastructure upgrades backed by hundreds of millions of shekels. Speaking at a real estate developers conference at the Canaan Spa Hotel, Ministry of Construction and Housing Director-General Yehuda Morgenstern announced that approximately 2,000 housing units in the Southern Gate district are expected to be marketed by the end of the year.

The sweeping initiative encompasses a total of 7,294 housing units across eight development complexes as part of the city's umbrella agreement. The master plan features robust investments in public buildings, industrial zones, and the revitalization of established neighborhoods. The flagship Southern Gate project alone will introduce roughly 4,000 apartments, alongside 32,000 square meters of employment space and 15,000 square meters of commercial areas, complemented by a new southern access road from Highway 89.

While the blueprints promise substantial growth, officials emphasize that the primary challenge lies in translating land tenders into active construction. A preliminary tender for 830 units in complex M-8 has already been issued, alongside plans to expand the southern industrial zone by 155,000 square meters. Ministry Director-General Morgenstern stressed that Safed represents a strategic priority for strengthening the Galilee region.

Mayor Yossi Kakon views the initiative as a historic turning point to restore Safed's status as the capital of the Galilee. Addressing dozens of developers and municipal leaders at the conference, Kakon urged the private sector to participate in the upcoming execution phase, transforming strategic visions into tangible residential and commercial reality.