Urban renewal is a widely discussed and controversial program. It is a process intended to improve specific areas of a city. There are several terms related to urban renewal, the most known being 'Clearing and Building' (Pinuy-Binuy in hebrew), 'Tama 38'.
It's usually a slow process (it may take years) that involves getting permission from the residents, from the local and regional authorities, proper planning and consulting. If all goes well, the result is one of economic, social and environmental area revival.
The buildings in my neighborhood are about 60 years old. The plan is to demolish the old structures and build new ones, more spacious and with a promise of increase in market value. I would have preferred renovation, not demolition, as the basic construction is of good quality. Moreover I've got 3 air exposures and it's street faced (quiet inner street).
In Pinuy-Binuy the apartment has to be evacuated for two-three years, and the resident displaced until the new building is finished. Not convenient to my age. I think, however, that according to the law the contractor has to offer a person of my age the option of an immediate new apartment in one of his other buildings, if available.. We shall see.
Lately, I've noticed some action which means the process is approaching and I'm quite apprehensive. There is always local corruption, conflicting interests, poor planning, and above all, the need to start downsizing towards the evacuation of the apartment. Just the thought of it gives me a headache.
I can only imagine how anxious you must be. I hope all works out well for you! Take care.
ReplyDelete"Anxious" is the right word. Moving is never an easy thing; here it is combined with the unknown.
DeleteI understand your concerns.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine.
DeleteOh I hope things go well for you. In the 1970's they did an urban renewal with our downtown and just demolished all of the store buildings. Now it is a dead town and folks go to shop the next town up which did not agree to the urban renewal. So thankful for them.
ReplyDeleteSo , the downtown is just a demolished place. how sad! No wonder, many oppose to this renewal thing which includes demolition.
DeleteI love reading your thoughts. Regine
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Thanks a lot, Regine.
DeleteHere in Las Vegas it seems like they demolish hotels and casinos all the time to make room for new ones. Things are always being renewed here.
ReplyDeleteWell, casinos have the big money to do that.
DeleteI would like restoration too. Here in the states they are always knocking things down and building new. The new never has the charm and character of the old.
ReplyDeleteI hope they have something arranged for you if it starts!
Here, they copy anything which happens in the States, although we don't have the same resources. Yes, the new is usually uglier than the old one.
DeleteMy son wanted to renovate a block of flats, then move into the nicest flat. He paid the deposit, worked closely with an architect and planned to move his son's school to Hertzlia But the old owner of the property had moved back to Argentina and couldn't be found. Corruption? Probably not but what appalling planning. My son was very depressed.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds lile poor planning. (corruption is always in the corner, here.). Hopefully, the owner is found, and there's a good ending to your son's plan.
DeleteHere they come up with all kinds of things why it needs to be demolished, and yes in some cities (especially Chicago) some neighborhoods have been living in horrible conditions. Not a tree in sight, too much concrete. Of course, I don't live in that state. We are a moderate one governed by republicans and most mayors we have had are also into real-estate. They do have their ideas. A lot of times, things get demolished and there are just empty lots because they don't get to stay in office long enough, evidently. But here there has been a lot of new developments for our seniors. Unfortunately, it'll cost you.
ReplyDeleteI've reached the conclusion that it is the real estate contractors that rule the country, not the politicians, because of the big money that is involved in it.
DeleteSo true. They will own the country. It's even difficult these days for first time buyers to get that start up home. It seems RENT is the way to go in the developers' eyes anyway.
DeleteI would prefer renovation also. In our town we have neighborhood preservationist who try to keep the authentic old buildings up to codes and inhabitable.
ReplyDeleteYour post reminds me of a song: They paved paradise and put up a parking lot. I suppose itis all about the big bucks. Wishing you well.
Big bucks, indeed. Contractors make lots of money. They take a low building of 3 floors like mine, and give each one of us a new, slightly bigger apartment, but in return they get permission to add double or triple number of floors. That is they build 6 t0 9 floors, and sell the apartments for full money.
DeleteThat you are reluctant to a move I understand very well ! I still wonder how I managed to sell the house get rid of the furniture, find an apartment organize the move and that at 77 and alone. Rick was already sick and couldn't help. Now I rent and as meanwhile I am 79 approaching the 80th the landlord can't "throw" me out or he has to find a similar apartment and organize the move. Start to inform yourself as much as possible. I have the chance to have a landlord who is very honest. I think corruption exists everywhere !
ReplyDeleteI don't to sell the house; it automatically passes on to the contractor's ownership after I sign the required papers.
DeleteSo, your new apartment is rented! That makes sense.
Goodness I am sorry about your situation. I hope and pray they find you a place ASAP!
ReplyDeleteI pray and hope a for the best too. It hasn't started yet, so, in the meantime I try to stay calm and practical.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a new apartment and love it, despite any inconvenience.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too, Sandi.
DeleteHopefully it all goes well and you can put your mind at rest. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your good wishes. Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteReading this post, Duta, makes me glad that we live in an apt building which was converted to residential apts vs. demolition.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're glad of the building you live in. To my mind, where possible, conversion, restoration are preferrable to demolition.
DeleteOh no! Hopefully you have enough time to prepare and will be offered a decent place, Hard to believe they need to knock down a building of that age, I wish you well through this.
ReplyDeleteHopefully. At present, I'm in the dark. Don't know if they've got the permissions they need, and when they intend to start evacuating. By the way, all costs are on them.
DeleteWell. that is the least they can do if removing you from your building.
DeleteThey don't lose money, but get lots of it by carrying out this renewal process.
DeleteBeautiful blog
ReplyDeleteHappy new year 🎉
Thanks Rajani Rehana. Happy New Year to you too!
DeleteI hope you will get a good offer and a permanent one too.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too, when the time comes, Nancy.
ReplyDeleteHi Duta, Wow, that will be a change, I can imagine it is an adjustment that will take adjusting to, we can only hope that if they do go ahead with it and if you have to move, then trust it will be for the best in your life and there will be new blessings for you that you had not imagined.
ReplyDeleteI remember for many years I lived in an apartment and didn`t want to move, I felt very settled and loved certain things about it and it was so upsetting to me to see old buildings being taken down and all the new ones going up..., and yet when the time came for us to move, even though I was resistant, it turned out to be a much better place and in ways beyond I could have seen had I not had to make the move. Also I had to let go of certain things from the past as we had to pack everything up to move, so it was a freeing too... Anyway, I can understand the way you may may feel, and hope it all goes smooth, like others commented, and with enough time for you to prepare , I pray peace in your heart! 💛
You are probably right, Shayndel, as you've experienced similar feelings about moving. Thanks for your kind, reassuring words. I greatly appreciate them.
DeleteThat's a very stressful situation you are going through. Moving can be complicated and tiresome. However, save your energy for later.
ReplyDeleteTrue. Moving can be quite stressful. Thank you for the energy saving advice, Catarina.
DeleteNo me extraña nada que estés preocupada y un poco agobiada, porque tener que hacer dos mudanzas y no tener claro de que el plazo de las obras se van a cumplir, y tampoco saber si van a respetar las dimensiones que os han prometido para la casa nueva, eso a ti y a cualquiera le crea intranquilidad.
ReplyDeleteEspero que cuando llegue el momento las molestias sean lo más leve posible, y de que todo vaya bien.
Un abrazo, y mucho ánimo estimada amiga Duta.
Yes, I'm presently in the unknown stage, trying to guess things and relying mostly on rumours.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouragement, Manuel. I need it.
nowadays flats are crazy expensive...
ReplyDeleteIndeed. In fact, every form of real estate is expensive. There's growing Demographics versus Land stability.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you -- renovation over demolition. We see that happen a lot here too and it's sad. And so often, urban renewal seems to pull people AWAY from the cities and into the outer areas here, which is very sad. I hope it doesn't upset your world too much.
ReplyDeleteWhen renovating one usually lives on a building site which is not comfortable at all, and yet I still prefer renovation to demolition.
DeleteI know how distressed I would be if I were in your situation. The unknown is often worse than the unwelcome present. I hope there is a good outcome for you!
ReplyDeleteExactly - the unknown is the worst situation. Hopefully, the outcome will be a good one.
DeleteVery important subject for a city's health. Urban design was a subject in my Masters degree
ReplyDeleteVery important, no doubt; However, the residents are not always winners in this process.
DeleteI can fully appreciate your concerns.
ReplyDeleteWhen the time comes I do hope you will be offered a good place.
All the best Jan
Hope and pray is all I can do. Thank you, Jan.
ReplyDelete