The need for rural revitalization in small agricultural towns in Palestine is necessary to provide social and economic support for the future generations, to preserve the towns’ agricultural heritage and environmental well-being, and maintain accessibility to healthy local food sources.

The small town of Wadi Fukin, located outside the city of Bethlehem, is home to a natural water spring that supports an important agricultural community, which for generations has relied on a local food system. The valley landscape is governed by an inheritance and kin-based land system and a well-defined practice of collective water management. Much of this has been in place since Roman times, during which settlement depended on the accessibility to water and the evolution of technologies to move and store water. The historic network of canals and pools running through the valley remain largely in place today, and their use extends beyond irrigation: the water system also supports recreational purposes including swimming, walking, washing, and foraging of wild plants. More recently, however, there is increasing water shortage due to climate change and the urbanization of surrounding Israeli settlements. The water spring, and its associated infrastructure of canals and pools, has also suffered and the town is slowly losing its livelihoods and rich ancient farming heritage.

This studio sheds the light on this community and gives the students a chance to explore a new context. Our work focused on the design of spaces that support a circular agricultural and water system and including a “local foodways hub program”.