Playing: At present the fragmented neighborhoods offer limited areas in which to play. Palestinian children take advantae of large open spaces to the south of the site, and are often forced to use roadways as a soccer pitch due to a lack of any other suitable space. Backyards on the fringe of the olive grove are also used for activities, but are often filled with dangerous rubble/garbage. The park to the north lacks any playground or excercise facilities, and only small locations can be found between the trees in which to spread out and be active. For these reasons, playing and physical activity are at this moment not a catalyst for coexistence or co-operation.



















Picnicking/Gathering: The olive grove to the south offers an interesting scenario - it functions as one large public space in which many members of the community can enjoy simultaneously, and at the same time find a secure and comfortable space on the family or group level. The olive trees subdivide the space into smaller areas which families acquire for their own gathering space withing the whole. Interaction then occurs within these smaller cells. At this time, only the palestinian community seems to be frequenting the area. The Mount Scopus park frequented by Jews lacks any real gathering space - some families have been viewed eating at supplied picnic tables in the park, but relatively few.




















My approach to a neighboring center for the Sheik Jarrach site would be to create a link between the existing green spaces on the site. Public green spaces have been used effectively by both Jews and Palestinians and offers the best opportunity for the two communities to interact with one another


























For the new scheme to be effective, several things must occur. At present, neither the park beneath Mount Scopus or the Olive Grove have a real focal point or final destination. I believe the inclusion of a large playground apparatus and other childrens athletics facilities will create the drawing force necessary to bring both sides to one location as it supplies a sservice needed and desired by both comunities. The community gathering space of the Olive Grove will be extended northwards through the site, and will occupy the rift created by the retaining walls which support the interchange above. This gathering space will take its cues from the successful model of the existing grove - a large canopy space which can be subdivided easily per the desire or requirement of community events. The Grove will remain an integral peice of public space, but remain exterior and informal. A pedestrian link between the two parks will be crucial, and the large interchanges to the north of the site create a difficult obstacle to overcome. The north-south circulation again becomes crucial. It will be elevated above the gathering spaces and take the form of a suspended playground (as per the tectonic manifest) of bridges. These would terminate at the primary playspace of the site (in red), the focal point of the site. This playstructure would create the hub between the north-south circulation and the east-west circulation paths. The other athletics facilities would also be placed along this access.