Harish: the City of Tomorrow

What is being touted as the planned community of the future in Israel had more modest beginnings. The town of Harish began in the 1980s as a kibbutz, but was largely abandoned by the early 1990s. Some efforts were made to revive the community, including the selling of apartments by the government to career military officers. By 2007, the Israeli housing minister announced plans for building an ultra-Orthodox city with 100,000 citizens in Harish. After political and religious disagreement, it was finally determined that the “new” Harish would be open to any resident of Israel. Today there are approximately 1,000 resident in Harish, but that number is growing as plans unfold for a planned city offering a variety of social and technological amenities. Located about 45 minutes northeast of Tel Aviv and 15 minutes east of Caesarea, Harish promises to be more than a suburb, but what has been called a social experiment in sustainable living and religious tolerance. Sustainable living will be promoted through the use of alternative energies, liberal use of green spaces, a city layout designed for walkability, and harnessing of the most state-of-the-art technologies. As for the goal of religious tolerance: the current population of Harish includes both Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox Jews, secular Israelis, Ethiopian and Soviet immigrants, and a few Arab residents. According to a town spokesperson, the new city is being designed in such a way as to avoid groups of residents becoming “ghettoized” or cut off from other city residents. On a city planning map, ultra-Orthodox buildings are built right next to secular ones. Structures such as schools will be built for all population groups. While individuals will maintain their cultural or religion identity, it is hoped that the layout will promote a spirit of inclusion and community for all. Mayor Keshet was recently quoted as saying, “Harish will be a city of pluralism, sustainability, and community.” Harish in transition is a town of bulldozers, planning meetings, and high hopes. The first set of new residents is expected to arrive in November of this year, as housing becomes available, and plans are for approximately 500 residents to arrive every three months, beginning in 2016. It is believed that a projected 75,000 residents will reside here within five years. As it moves forward, hopes are high that the new city of Harish will fulfill the lofty goals set for it, while also being a sound economic choice for investors and residents.