Gaza is one of the contemporary world’s most complex environments. Is this densely populated and contained area a challenge or an opportunity? With 2 million residents, severed from the Palestinian hinterland, bordering Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean, how can Gaza manage its own needs while also integrating productively with the region?

What can we learn from Gaza that we could apply to other urban areas as well?  Christopher Choa, Director of Cities from AECOM, will present ‘Global Palestine: Connected Gaza’, a recently-completed private-sector initiative that is positioning Gaza and the region for long-term resilience at a ULI UK Innovators & Disrupters event on 19^th January.

Gaza is not only a part of Palestine geographically or politically; it is profoundly rooted in the heart of the Palestinian nation and its people; emotionally, socially and economically. For Palestine to thrive and compete in an increasingly globalised economy, it will need an empowered Gaza. Should Gaza revive once again after years of wars and blockade, it will need strong integration with the West Bank and connections to the world: a truly global Palestine requires a connected Gaza.

Responding to a sense of collective responsibility and understanding the need for a shared approach with the Palestinian public sector, members of the Palestinian business community have come together to define and support a long-term vision for Gaza. They commissioned AECOM to lead the technical work, in conjunction with The Portland Trust, a UK/Israel/Palestine-based non-governmental organization.

The work recognises Gaza’s pressing priorities in terms of reconstruction and provision of housing, energy, water, and basic economic needs, and proposes a long term plan, up to the year 2050, as part of a broad vision for Palestine. This vision, together with a comprehensive set of projects identified as part of the work, provide the inspiration and framework to guide short and medium-term action and investment to address urgent needs. Such efforts need to be guided by best practice planning and respond to the spatial optimisation of Gaza’s constrained land to accommodate its large population.

The ‘Global Palestine: Connected Gaza’ initiative prioritises inclusiveness as a key component of a representative vision. The work takes into account past national and international planning efforts for Gaza, and perhaps more importantly, engages representatives of the Palestinian private sector and civil society both in Gaza and the West Bank, the Palestinian Government and the international community. The technical teams conduct extensive field work, consulting with hundreds of individuals and organisations, including youth and women groups, technical experts and academics.

The forward looking nature of the work can change the perception of Gaza and help redefine its role in global Palestine, based on economic specialisation, leveraging its entrepreneurial and energetic youth, and serving as Palestine’s gateway to the world.

The Gaza Masterplan event will take place from 6.30-9.30pm on 19^th January 2017 at AECOM, Aldgate Tower, 2 Leman Street , London, E1 8FA.

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This event is part of the Innovators & Disrupters series, a chain of events organised by ULI UK Young Leaders, which allow members to hear from people who are radically shaking up the world of bricks and mortar with their iconoclast thinking.

Past events have looked at issues ranging from the future of retail with Ross Bailey, CEO of Appearhere to housing alternatives at the innovative ‘Collective’ residential development, the arts and the creation of studio spaces to provide long-term economic and social benefits in the community and even a glimpse in to the completion of Gaudi’s masterpiece at La Basilica de la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona from Damian Eley from Arup.