Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies
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Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies Physical development in ecologically sensitive areas Environmental awareness in the planning process of the Dead Sea Region Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of “Master of Arts” By: Vanesa Sztankeler Date: July 2006 I Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies Physical development in ecologically sensitive areas Environmental awareness in the planning process of the Dead Sea Region Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of “Master of Arts” By: Vanesa Sztankeler Under the Supervision of Professor Isaac A. Meir Department of Man in the Desert The Centre for Desert Architecture and Urban Planning Author's Signature.…………….………………………… Date ……………. Approved by the Supervisor…………….……………. Date ……………. Approved by the Supervisor…………….……………. Date ……………. Approved by the Director of the School ………… . Date ……………. I Physical development in ecologically sensitive areas ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS IN THE PLANNING PROCESS OF THE DEAD SEA REGION 1 ABSTRACT The Dead Sea situated -418m below the sea level, is known as the lowest point on earth. Since the last four decades the lake owes its precarious state to the exploitation of its natural resources. Created by the same shift of tectonic plates that formed the Syrian- African Rift Valley several millions years ago, the saltiest sea contains one of the world’s most complex ecosystems and is fed by fresh water springs and aquifers. However, due to national water policies, great part of the fresh water does not reach the Dead Sea and is unsustainably managed for agricultural, tourist and industrial purposes, as mineral extraction and bottling mineral water. The Dead Sea is shrinking and as it recedes the fresh water aquifers along its shores are receding along with it. The result is the threatening sinkholes phenomenon that generated a halt in the regional development during the last decade. The Dead Sea supplies raw materials for mineral industry, and is a key national and international tourist attraction. Both industries are a natural environment for a conflict: industrial development vs. tourism and both vs. the environment. The present study will examine the history of development plans suggested for the western Dead Sea shore since the last four decades. Two phases of the planning process attempt to illustrate the evolution of the applied approaches. The aim is to assess the level of environmental awareness during the planning process and its implementation. The examination will include industrial and tourism master plans confronted with the approach of the national scale and involved authorities. Findings indicate that environmental degradation, conflict between industry and tourism; conservation vs. development, water scarcity, unsustainable water and wastewater management and demographic problems are the major difficulties in the area. II At present, public interest is focused on the uncertainty regarding the future of the Dead Sea and its environs. Alternatives are considering a multilateral colossal project in order to stabilize the Dead Sea water level by means of a seawater conduit from the Red to the Dead Sea. Though, complexity and costs of the project generate doubt on its feasibility. There is little research, which survey and assess the planning process of the Dead Sea region since the beginning of its development. Recently, the Interim Policy Report for the future of the Dead Sea became the only existent document that examines the current trends taking place in the Dead Sea region and might be the base for a future statutory master plan for the Dead Sea shore. Subjects related to the decline in the water level of the Dead Sea and its implications are discussed at different levels of government in Israel: national, regional and local. However, permanent disagreement among authorities and lack of decision- making at all levels, suggest that a framework is needed to provide coordination between the different scales of planning in order to achieve permanent solutions. An innovative planning approach is required to maximize the potential of the Dead Sea basin, within a balance between conservation and development. Permanent solutions are needed in order to enable the continuance of the main tourist sites of the Dead Sea, and to protect them from sinkhole development and raising water level of industrial evaporation ponds. Thus, further research and methods are still required to deal with these complex processes that threaten the existing infrastructures and land uses. Governmental support and updated planning policies are essential to cope with the drastic and dynamic changes that are occurring to date in the basin and that are expected to continue for the next decades. III Acknowledgements I would like to thank first of all my supervisor, Prof. Isaac Meir, for his human and professional qualities, valuable guidance, unconditional support and patience along the course of the research. I thank and appreciate in particular the professional remarks and close guidance of Prof. Yair Etzion since the beginning of the project. I express my gratitude to Mr. Shai Technai, representative of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Southern District; Mrs. Diana Kurtz and Mrs. Alisia Syber from the Southern District Planning Committee of the Ministry of the Interior for the priceless contribution of the sources that each willingly provided to assist this research. I would especially like to thank Mr. Abraham Rotem, engineer of the Tamar Regional Council, and Mr. Yuval Goldman of Special Projects of Tamar Regional Council, for their generosity and significant contribution to the contents of this research. Likewise to Arch. Shai Donnenfeld and Arch. Eilat Dekel from the Local Planning and Building Committee of Tamar Regional Council. Thanks are also due to Mr. Gidon Bromberg, director of Friends of the Earth Middle East in Israel, for his help and cooperation, particularly over the Red-Dead Conduit issue, and to Mr. Yehoyakim Gavish from the Dead Sea Works for the information provided on current industry-related master plans. I thank sincerely Zoe Groner for her friendship and editing of the texts, and to Roee Elisha for the useful information on water and wastewater management in the Dead Sea region, that he so generously provided. Thanks also go to Dov Golbert from the GIS department of the Southern District Planning Committee, and to the archive staff. I would like to express my special gratitude to Mrs. Dorit Levin and Prof. Yair Zarmi for their unlimited help and kindness. I am grateful to the Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies of the J. Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, for making this study and experience possible, as well as to the Jewish Agency and the Israeli Ministry of Absorption for the assistance they extended during my studies. Finally, I dedicate this research to Amram with special thanks for the beautiful field trip to the Dead Sea, and to my parents and brother. IV List of figures FIGURE -1 2.1EVOLUTION OF THE DEAD SEA BASIN. A- 1975, AREA BEFORE THE DRYING UP OF THE LYNCH STRAIT. B-1987, AFTER CONSTRUCTION OF THE JORDANIAN EVAPORATION PODS, C- 2001, LYNCH STRAIT TOTALLY EXPOSED............................................................................................................................................................................. 1 FIGURE -2 2.1THE TWO MAJOR REGIONAL INDUSTRIES - DEAD SEA WORKS (LEFT), EIN BOKEK RESORT AREA (RIGHT) 2 FIGURE -3 2.1TAMAR REGIONAL COUNCIL AND MEGUILOT COUNCIL ......................................................................... 5 FIGURE -1 2.2THE TWO MAIN STAKEHOLDERS OF DEAD SEA REGION: TOURISM AND INDUSTRY............................... 11 FIGURE -1 3.1THE DEAD SEA RIFT VALLEY ....................................................................................................................... 12 FIGURE -2 3.1MAP OF THE DEAD SEA REGION............................................................................................................... 13 FIGURE -3 3.1AREA MODIFICATIONS OF THE SOUTHERN BASIN (TOP LEFT, CLOCKWISE): 1972-77-79-81-89-2001-15 FIGURE -4 3.1RELATIVE ATTENUATION OF UVB............................................................................................................... 17 FIGURE : -5 3.1 MAP OF SENSITIVE LANDSCAPE UNITS.................................................................................................... 22 FIGURE -6 3.1FLORA SUB REGIONS AND SENSITIVITY LEVEL ........................................................................................ 23 FIGURE -7 3.1THE MADABA MOSAIC.............................................................................................................................. 24 FIGURE -8 3.1DEAD SEA HISTORIC FLUCTUATIONS ........................................................................................................ 26 FIGURE -9 3.1GEO-TOURISM SUB-AREAS........................................................................................................................ 30 FIGURE -1: 3.2JORDANIAN EVAPORATION PONDS........................................................................................................ 31 FIGURE -2: 3.2TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS ON