Decentralized urban nodes for sustainable Palestinian cities - West Bank

Supervisor Name

Hussein Alragabi

Supervisor Email

halragabi@ppu.edu

University

Palestine Polytechnic University-PPU

Research field

Architecture

Bio

Description

Decentralized Urban Nodes for Sustainable Palestinian Cities is an architectural and urban project that aims to address the concentration of services and infrastructure in the centers of Palestinian cities, which often results in congestion, unequal accessibility, and lower quality of life in surrounding neighborhoods. The project takes Hebron as a case study and proposes the creation of a network of decentralized urban nodes distributed across the city. Instead of relying on one dominant urban center, the proposal introduces smaller local hubs that provide daily services, public spaces, and selected infrastructure elements closer to residential areas. This model seeks to reduce pressure on the city center, improve access to essential services, and strengthen local social and economic activity within neighborhoods. The project also places strong emphasis on sustainable urban design by integrating green spaces, climate-responsive planning, and renewable energy sources such as solar energy. In addition, it focuses on improving the distribution of services and infrastructure in a way that supports long-term urban resilience, more efficient resource use, and better living conditions for residents. Through this approach, the project aims to present a more balanced and sustainable urban development model for Palestinian cities.