White City of Tel-Aviv -- the Modern Movement
The city of Tel Aviv, founded in 1909, is located on the northern side of the walled city of Jaffa. It is nestled on the eastern hills of the Mediterranean Sea. The city thrived as an urban center and Israel’s commercial center during the reign of the British in Palestine from 1917 to 1948.
The UNESCO Listed World Heritage Site consists of 3 zones namely; the White City, Lev Hair and Rothschild Avenue, and Bialik Area. The site is then surrounded by a common buffer zone.
Tel Aviv is a classic example of innovative town planning in the early 20th century. It was one of the large scale properties built in the 20th century and is thus an authentic representation of the architectural trends developed in the Modern Movement that existed in Europe then. The White City is also a significant example of the adaptation of architectures to the climatic conditions in which they are built.
The area of the White City is the central part as developed by Sir Patrick Geddes. The urban master plan that is White City is the work of the foremost theorists of Modern Movement. Despite its construction in the desert, Tel Aviv is an urban entity of physical, economic, social and human achievement that is unrivaled in the Middle East. It has evolved with time and cultural changes. The scientific principles of town planning that were applied by Sir Patrick Geddes resonated to the rest of the Middle East.
Although the city is the work of many architects, the master plan is wholly credited to Sir Patrick who has trained and practiced in Europe. Tel Aviv represents the Plurality of mind as well as cultural quality in city development. No other city in North Africa or Europe can exhibit as elaborate a Modern Movement Masterpiece as Tel Aviv. The principles applied in the construction of the city are still visible in all of the Arabian and Sahara cities.
Tel Aviv, like all Israeli cities is a place you will have a lot of fun exploring. It is just like New York, but with some Jewish Culture. If you are yet to visit Israel, perhaps you should start your tour in Tel Aviv.
by Kennedy Runo on 05/19/2014 in Sightseeing