Afula Approves First Ever Pinui Binui Urban Renewal Project
The Northern District Planning and Building Commission has approved the deposit of the Hadassim complex plan in Afula. The project by Rahmani Group will replace 31 old apartments with 229 new housing units.
The Northern District Planning and Building Commission has decided to approve for deposit the "Hadassim Complex Urban Renewal" plan in Afula. This marks the first-ever Pinui-Binui (evacuation and reconstruction) project approved for deposit in the city, representing a significant milestone in renewing Afula's historic center.
Experts emphasize that Afula offers a viable alternative for northern residents due to available land reserves and reasonable housing prices. Nationally, urban renewal must reach 40% to 50% of all construction in Israel to drive down housing prices.
Project Specifications
Initiated by the Rahmani Group, the project spans approximately 5.6 dunams in the city's historic center, bounded by Hativa Tesha, Hadassim, and Rimon streets, adjacent to the Municipal Cultural Center.
Currently, the site contains six buildings with 31 apartments. These will be demolished to make way for 229 new housing units, which will be distributed across:
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One 25-story residential tower;
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Two 10-story buildings.
Approximately 46% of the total units will be designated as small apartments of up to 80 square meters.
At the intersection of Hativa Tesha and Hadassim streets, opposite the Cultural Center, a public plaza will be constructed, integrated with commercial spaces on the ground floors of the residential buildings. The plan also includes a plot for a public building up to six stories high and two levels of underground parking.
Housing Prices in Afula
Residential property prices in Afula currently range between 17,000 and 19,000 NIS per square meter. Smaller apartments command prices at the higher end of the spectrum, while larger units lean toward the lower end.
An average 3-room apartment costs approximately 1.45 million NIS, while a 4-room apartment in the city's newer neighborhoods averages between 2 million and 2.2 million NIS.
Dikla Adi Perez, Northern District Planner at the Planning Administration, stated:
"The Hadassim complex plan is the first in Afula to be promoted under the Pinui-Binui urban renewal framework. The commission views this decision as a significant milestone in the city's development and the renewal of its older urban fabric. The plan will enable the renewal, strengthening, and reinforcement of buildings, alongside creating a high-quality living environment."
Boaz Yosef, Chairman of the Northern District Planning and Building Commission, added:
"The approval of this plan for deposit is major news for Afula. The project will allow us to renew the historic city center with high-quality, modern construction while improving public spaces. We hope this decision will be the first of many urban renewal plans promoted in Afula in the coming years."
Developments in Jerusalem
In a related planning development, the Jerusalem District Commission recently approved a major plan to construct 300 long-term rental apartments in Givat Mordechai. The commission adopted the recommendations of investigator Adv. Hagit Drori, canceling one of the two planned 25-story towers to allocate the cleared land for a public park.
