Tel Aviv Boulevards It’s largely down to him that Tel Aviv is home to numerous palm-fringed boulevards which provide welcome respite from the heat and concrete of the city. All credit to Sir Patrick Geddes who created the master plan for Tel Aviv’s boulevards in the ‘20s. Many have been recently renovated – Chen, Rothschild, Nordau among others, as part of an ongoing project to recreate the heyday of Tel Aviv’s boulevards, which commenced in earnest at the end of the nineties. At this time the city started to refurbish and upgrade boulevards, adding grass lawns, bike paths, kiosks and food stalls. Major intersections were re-opened – which quickly became city hotspots, where people could meet and hang out. Architect Haim Kahanovich When architect Haim Kahanovich was tasked with the redesign of Chen Boulevard he looked to the past for inspiration to his design for Ben-Gurion Boulevard. For him, there are two main concepts when it comes to renovating Tel Aviv’s boulevards. One is attempting to create a barrier between the road and the activity within the boulevard itself. Secondly, it requires planning the space on the boulevard itself from end to end. Notable Boulevards Rothschild Boulevard is one of Tel Aviv’s principal streets, located in the city center. Beginning in Neve Tzedek, it runs north to Habima Theater and features trees, pedestrian and cycle lanes. A focal tourist destination, the boulevard is home to many historical Bauhaus buildings and as such is an important part of Tel Aviv’s UNESCO designated World Heritage ‘White City’ Site. There are several enclosed playgrounds for children located here too. Ben Gurion Blvd is another worth mentioning, since it connects the city center at City Hall to the Mediterranean Sea at Gordon Beach. The boulevard is named after Israel’s first Prime Minister and boasts children’s playgrounds and cafés, giving it a relaxed and urbane atmosphere. Street and public events are often held here too. Chen Boulevard is located between a city square and busy road, so Kahanovich set out to create a series of pedestrian crossings. He also planted jacarandas which produce beautiful purple blossoms in the spring. The central part of the boulevard featured paths for walkers and cyclists, while along the length are grassy areas and benches. The newly renovated urban area has already proven to be a big hit with residents.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Jul 2013 07:53:46 +0000
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