A Strategic Program For Tel Aviv-Yafo

The Tel Aviv-Yafo municipality of has decided to prepare a strategic program for the city in order to improve the functioning of the city today and for future generations. Tel Aviv-Yafo has embarked upon a path that will allow it to contend more favorably with the growing local and national competition and help it to be friendlier to its inhabitants, ecologically balanced, rich in a vibrant cultural life and to involve its residents in shaping their future.

Ir (City) is the name of Tel Aviv-Yafo’s strategic program. It is a multi-disciplinary program which encompasses all aspects of municipal life – including its social fabric, economics, physical structure, transportation, environment and government. The strategic program is being prepared in an open process based on the participation of all sectors resident in the city, working in it or benefiting from its services. At the outset, the municipality invites everyone to participate in the process. In the final analysis, some 600 people participated in 15 discussion groups. These made of possible to ascertain the degree of importance attached by residents and other interested parties to the various issues that comprise the municipal agenda. They led to the crystallization of a “municipal profile” which included recommendations for short term projects based on what participants defined as subjects that required urgent solutions. Some of these are already being carried out.

In the second stage, a summery of “A vision of the City” – a projection of what the city will be like in the future based on the above discussions – was distributed to each household and business in the city, and residents were asked to comment and offer suggestions for improving the program. The feedback received will be presented to the municipal council, which will eventually approve “the Vision”.

The Four Strategic Components of “the Vision”

A financial and cultural Center – Strengthening the city as a financial and cultural center and applying this advantage to improve the municipal quality of life. Strengthening the city as the headquarter base of major corporations, and as a center of business and cultural tourism; support for the cultural institutions, the development of cultural and creative facilities and installations; and the development of community colleges in the southern and eastern sectors of the city.

A city of all its residents – a city which is an attractive place in which to live for people of all ages, which offers quality education, equal opportunity for all, pluralism and community solidarity.

Service to the people – a municipality which is attuned to the needs of its residents, offering improved service and resident involvement and participation and a more independent city which cooperates with its neighbors.

Attractive Municipal Environment – preservation of the architectural legacy of the city, including its constant renewal. Maintenance of a balance between built-up and open spaces; wise use of the land; and the creation of efficient transportation solutions, including a reduction in the number of environmental hazards.

The Municipal Council

Every five years Elections to choose a mayor and a municipal council are held. The mayor is chosen by direct, personal vote, and the council members are chosen by party vote. It is a direct, equal, secret and proportional ballot, in a system similar to that employed in Knesset elections.