Mandatory law, the legal system of town planning in Israel, modified by Israel’s planning law of 1965, insures that the public will not intervene in the business of planning. Reinforcing statutory review and expansion of the public’s legal rights are essential to improving Israel’s town planning situation.

According to the law changes to existing or new town planning schemes require the approval of the Local (municipal) Committee made up of members of the City Council – laymen, headed by the Asst. Mayor and advised by professionals in the City Engineer’s department. Only after approval by the Local Committee and the plan deposited in the District Committee, sometimes after years of work, are notices of changes posted and plan documents made available for public inspection and formal objections. 60 days are given to respond.

Objecting to a Town Planning Scheme is no simple matter. Architect’s........

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