Emily Deeb

Destination: Jericho

Jericho has rightfully carved its name in history. As the most ancient city in the world, Jericho narrates the undisputed story of 10,000 years of human life. The city has been bestowed with the good fortune to sustain human life for the longest period; characterized by a warm semi-tropical climate, the city teems with life, utilizing its abundant natural resources: water springs, fertile earth, and hospitable people. Jericho is an important part of the Palestinian scene. As it serves as a leisure city for Palestinians from other cities. This aspect has led for it to be controlled by capitalistic agents that control how the city could develop. The future vision for Jericho as suburbia for outer citizens. Resulting in a congested but dead place of second homes for winter vacations. In the project, the city went through different layers and lenses. Each time observing different elements and aspects. Many questions arise with the fact that there are several visions towards Jericho, many visions that are not suitable for the region. Example of such investment is Jericho Gate which is the largest entrepreneur project worth about 2.5 billion, What if the total investment of the Jericho gate project was invested in Wadi Qelt creating a new city center. That for every entrepreneur investment there is an expropriation of these lands for the public benefit. this is a possible plan for Jericho to enhance its touristic values and still give the locals ownership over these capitalistic agents whilst maintaining its ancient title as a desert oasis.