In different cities we witness a phenomenon in which abandoned structures stand neglected for long periods of time. These assumingly “black holes” share a negative influence on the city’s physical level as well as the conscious level. A multiplicity of abandoned structures tends to create the sense of a “stagnating urban tissue”.

The old city of Ramla, which has a large amount of scattered abandoned structures – is a classic case study for the mentioned phenomenon. Simultaneously, and as opposed to prior phenomenon, Ramla also owns a vivid community.

This contradiction raised a strong sense of unfulfilled potential, which made me wonder: Could I use these “Black Holes” as the milestones to revive the city? How will I strengthen and preserve the sense of locality within the renewed environment?

With that in mind, this project offers a combined solution to revive a “stagnating urban tissue” by an initial supreme intervention on one hand, while encouraging an independent healing process by the local community on the other.

Ramla’s old city has been a platform to demonstrate how a set of tailored, guided principles could be implemented to transform a “stagnating urban tissue” into a lively, vivid environment.

*Chinese Acupuncture  (Latin: Acus = needle,  Pungere= to Prick)

Urban Acupuncture

Resuscitation of dying urban tissue by "acupuncture"