Insights from WUF12’s GPEIG Session on Planning Education in Post-Conflict Contexts: The Case of Palestine

By Mennatullah Hendawy

At the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12), GPEIG organized a session titled "Alternative Planning Toward Context-Sensitive Planning Education for Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Palestine." Mennatullah Hendawy (GPEIG co-chair 2022-24) facilitated the session, which brought together educators, planners, and policymakers to discuss transformative approaches to urban planning education. The event highlighted the urgent need for innovative, context-sensitive urban planning to address post-conflict challenges, focusing on Palestine.

This event built upon the outcomes of a previous roundtable organized by the ACSP Global Planning Educators Interest Group (GPEIG) in February 2024: "Life, Apartheid & Urbicide: Prospects & Spaces of Decolonial Engagement for Palestine," initiated by Alejandra Reyes (GPEIG co-chair). The critique of traditional planning theories—often seen as static—set the stage for this session's focus on post-conflict contexts.

The session featured a diverse panel of experts, including:

● Ms. Jumana Abu Sada: Urban Planner and GIS Consultant, Al-Quds University.

● Prof. Yahia Serag: Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development, Future University in Egypt.

● Ms. Bosayna Abu-Eisheh: Director of the Urban Studies Department, Ministry of Local Government, Palestine.

● Prof. Ali Abdelhamid: Director of the Urban and Regional Planning Unit, An-Najah National University.

Each panelist brought unique perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in integrating decolonial, context-sensitive approaches into planning education. The session at WUF24 was structured to provide a comprehensive exploration of urban planning education through multiple perspectives, beginning with academic insights into Palestinian urban studies, followed by the lived experiences of students and educators navigating the complexities of planning in a post-conflict region by Jumana Abu. The agenda was organized into thematic sections, each focusing on a distinct viewpoint: (1) scholarly research By Mennatullah Hendawy, (2) student and educator journeys by Jumana Abu Sada, (3) practical applications by Prof. Yahia Serag, (4) governmental strategies by Bosayna Abu-Eisheh and (5) University perspectives by Prof. Ali Abdelhamid. The panel discussions were interwoven with individual reflections and case studies, allowing participants to delve into topics such as resilience, context-sensitive design, and the impact of limited resources on education and practice, as seen next.

Scholarly Perspective: Expanding the Narrative Beyond Conflict

Hendawy shared her insights from her team;'s work-in-progress research on how Palestine is represented in urban studies, underscoring the predominance of conflict-centric narratives in Palestinian urban studies as a theme that has long shaped international scholarly discourse. Issues such as health access, surveillance, and spatial inequalities due to prolonged conflict remain critical, calling for an emerging need to broaden the research focus. Based on these remarks, Hendawy advocated exploring resilience, adaptation, and community-led urban dynamics, recognizing local agency amid adversity. This expanded perspective aims to enrich understanding beyond the geopolitical conflict, contributing to a more comprehensive view of Palestinian urban transformations.

Educational Pathways: Resilience and Innovation Under Constraint

The personal journeys of Palestinian educators and students were highlighted, with stories reflecting resilience, responsibility, and innovation. Jumana Abu Sada, an urban planner and lecturer with extensive field experience, shared her perspective on the resilience required to navigate the disconnect between planning theory and on-the-ground realities. She discussed the importance of adaptability and creativity in design when faced with political and spatial constraints. Abu Sada presented the shared experiences of navigating the disconnect between theoretical frameworks and the realities on the ground, where restrictions on movement, fragmented land, and limited governance create a unique planning environment. This journey from student to educator reveals the profound impact of designing within constraints, where creativity becomes not just desirable but essential.

Practical Perspectives: Governmental and Institutional Cooperation

Representatives from the Ministry of Local Government emphasized the collaborative efforts underway to strengthen urban planning practices in Palestine. Bosayna Abu Eisheh, representing the Ministry of Local Government, provided an in-depth look at governmental initiatives to reform urban planning systems, focusing on joint planning and community involvement as strategies to address regional fragmentation. Bosayna Abu Eisheh presented a comprehensive overview of Palestine’s historical and current planning challenges, from limited territorial sovereignty to the impact of the Apartheid Wall on spatial connectivity and resource accessibility. The ministry’s approach to urban planning reform prioritizes joint planning between local government units, fostering a sense of regional cohesion that counters fragmentation. Furthermore, the ministry’s initiatives include collaborations with Palestinian universities through memorandums of understanding and summer schools. These partnerships are essential in disseminating new urban planning methodologies, enabling knowledge exchange, and engaging students directly in the practical aspects of urban development. Such initiatives aim to develop a future generation of planners equipped with the skills to address Palestine's unique spatial and political challenges.

University Contributions: Training Planners for Complex Realities

Dr. Ali Abdelhamid, Director of the Urban & Regional Planning Unit at An-Najah National University, offered a forward-looking view on the role of universities in post-conflict urban settings. He emphasized the need for decolonized, context-sensitive planning education that equips students with skills to create inclusive and resilient urban spaces. Dr. Ali Abdelhamid insights underscored the need to decolonize planning curricula, reflecting the realities of post-conflict urban life. Emphasizing participatory and inclusive practices, he advocated for an educational framework that prioritizes lived experiences, preparing students to navigate the socio-political landscapes that define Palestinian cities. He also shared more information about An-Najah National University’s role in advancing urban planning education, demonstrating a commitment to alternative, community-centered planning approaches. The institution has established both bachelor’s and master’s programs in urban planning, focusing on resilience and participatory planning. Through collaborations with international universities, An-Najah promotes diverse research, training programs, and real-world applications, such as revitalization plans for historic areas and affordable housing projects in the West Bank.

Conclusion

The session concluded with a collaborative dialogue on the future of planning education, underscoring the role of universities and governmental bodies in preparing planners to address the unique challenges of urban development in Palestine. Participants stressed the importance of integrating conflict-sensitive planning approaches that go beyond post-conflict recovery, recognizing the ongoing and dynamic nature of geopolitical struggles. Rather than treating conflict as an external disruption to urban development, planners must be equipped with real-time tools to navigate and respond to contested spaces, displacement, and resource scarcity. This requires a shift toward adaptive, participatory, and justice-driven frameworks that empower local communities and ensure that planning remains a tool for resilience rather than exclusion. Ultimately, the discussion called for a reimagining of planning education that fosters critical thinking, ethical engagement, and the ability to plan for post-conflict reconstruction within the realities of enduring conflict.