On 9 November 2022-The Bartlett Development Planning Unit (DPU) at University Collage London (UCL) hosted an event titled “East Jerusalem: Intensified Planning During the Pandemic”, chaired by Michael Walls and featuring Dr. Rami Nasrallah, Founder of the International...

On 9 November 2022-The Bartlett Development Planning Unit (DPU) at University Collage London (UCL) hosted an event titled “East Jerusalem: Intensified Planning During the Pandemic”, chaired by Michael Walls and featuring Dr. Rami Nasrallah, Founder of the International Peace and Cooperation Center (IPCC). The discussion explored the disproportionate challenges faced by Palestinians in East Jerusalem under the pressures of a partisan planning system, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Nasrallah highlighted how Israel’s masterplans in Jerusalem during this period not only aimed to control demographics and territory but also sought to diminish Palestinian cultural, political, and spatial identity.

The event delved into the implications of these plans for Palestinians' right to the city and their ability to maintain urban presence and cohesion. Addressing the concept of resilience in such a contested context, Dr. Nasrallah emphasized how Palestinians navigate systemic exclusion and increasing political pressures. The discussion raised important questions about the long-term impacts of occupation-driven planning on East Jerusalem’s urban fabric and called for urgent strategies to safeguard Palestinian rights and promote equitable urban futures.