Floersheimer Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
24/6/2007 Floersheimer Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, is a research unit operating under the auspices of the Institute for Urban and Regional Studies and is the successor of the Floersheimer Institute for Policy Studies which operated in Jerusalem from 1991 through the initiative and continuing support of Dr. Stephen H. Floersheimer.

Floersheimer Studies continues to publish academic research in the realm of social sciences in Israel, focusing on such issues as central and local government relations; spatial planning; disparities between local authorities and more. All our publications are freely available from our web site.

Aizencang Kane Perla

Urban Creativity: Effective Management and Democratic Openness

Urban creativity is currently the focus of theoretical and
practical research and can contribute to the understanding
of local government modus operandi and in particular to its
effective management. The study focuses on Shoham and Holon,
both defined by the Ministry of the Interior as successful
municipalities. It examines the creativity of the
municipality distinguishing between effective management,
which emphasizes internal processes within the municipality,
and democratic openness, which emphasizes the interaction
between the municipality and the environment as well as
increasing local capital resources.

 Abstract

Auerbach Gedalia
and Sharkansky Ira

Planning and Politics in Jerusalem

This publication focuses on the transformation in municipal
planning arena in the last three decades, led by the growth
in the number of players taking part in the process and the
plethora of activities, interests and values. These changes,
in a complex arena such as the city of Jerusalem, impact on
the planning process and its output: the protraction of the
process and an increasing disparity between planning and its
implementation.

 Abstract

Ben-Elia Nahum

Israel's Corporatization of Water and Sewerage Services: an Unresolved Reform

The municipal water system reform in Israel has long passed
the point of no return, both from the perspective of the
volume of population and its single-directional legal
approach. However, this outcome hardly heralds the reform's
conclusion. Completing the municipal corporatization is only
one aspect of the reform and does not secure its success by
standards of its own initial principles and goals. Analyzing
the policy process of corporatization on a national level
uncovers fundamental phenomena which may impede, without
possibility of redress, the reform's stated goals, the
public interest and the interests of consumers. In the face
of this disturbing possibility this research attempts to
reevaluate the corporatization reform and its possible
impacts.

 Abstract

Yelinek Aviel

Towards Joint Management of City Centers: The Jerusalem City Center

This study examines the attempt to create a joint management
public-private body for the center of Jerusalem, against a
background of an ambitious project to regenerate its old
center. The study points to the difficulties entailed in the
process at the outset, and proposes the means to resolve
them based on worldwide experience and recommends an
appropriate model for the center of  Jerusalem.

 Abstract

Tommer Ash
and Feitelson Eran

Land Development Processes in Israel in the Privatization Era Viewed Through the Lens of the Nissim Commission Deliberations

This study examines the deliberations of the Nissim
Commission as a window to understanding the trends and the
development processes over a given period – 1995-2001. The
study focuses on the development processes, their leading
protagonists, the central motives guiding them and the
development mechanism of agricultural land and open spaces
in Israel. The analysis relates to the process itself and
not to its outcome and proposes, among others, the prospects
of forecasting the development process and expected trends.

 Abstract

Beeri Itai

Recovery of Poor Performing Municipalities in Israel: A Comparative Perspective in Light of the British Experience

This study examines the policy concept of addressing
poor-performing municipalities in Israel as reflected by the
new Municipalities Bill-2007, and compares legislation and
experience in this field in other countries, most
particularly in Britain. The central dilemma which the study
addresses is the paucity of the Municipalities Bill and its
questionable ability to accelerate recovery processes in
local government under crisis. The Bill reflects the
governing perception in the country on addressing
poor-performing localities, which is rigid, limited and
based on an economic paradigm. This, despite the experience
of other western countries, which includes policy,
legislation and wide accommodating measures to challenge the
under-performance of public organizations.

 Abstract

Dahan Itzhak

A Local Leader - A Mechanism of Change in the Periphery: Yeruham 1983-2006

This study compares between two regional leaders of the
peripheral town of Yeruham over three decades. Its findings
show that leaders who operated under similar economic,
geographical and cultural conditions, embodied very diverse
types of leadership. The comparison manifested various
perspectives and channels of influence: the community
vision, the socio-political concept, funding strategies and
most particularly the style and modus operandi with both the
local population and the national concentrations of power.
Factors associated with the character and image of the
leader impacted directly on local development and on the
quality of services as well as on shifts in the political
culture of Yeruham's residents.

 Abstract

Kark Ruth
and Galilee Emir and Feuerstein Tamar

Independence and Entrepreneurship Among Arab Muslim Rural and Bedouin Women In Israel

This study attempts to evaluate the degree of independence
and entrepreneurship among a group of Arab Muslim women,
rural and Bedouin, and their own viewpoints on issues
relating to independence, entrepreneurship, economic
involvement and their social and legal status against a
background of a changing global economy.

 Abstract

Sigal Rasis
and Applebaum Levia

Legal Aspects of Structural Adjustments in Israel's Rural Local Government

This study examines the role of the judiciary in the process
of change which has taken place during the last three
decades in the legal foundation and function of rural local
government in Israel.

 Abstract

Hazan Anna
and Razin Eran

Personal Liability in Local Government in Israel: Unlawful Expenditure and Repay

In recent years personal liability in local government has
become a major issue in central-local government relations
as well as in the public discourse. Its main thrust is a
focus on ingraining norms of good governance in the public
sector in general and in local government in particular.
This publication serves as a foundation for an academic
discussion on the issue.

 Abstract

Horne Ron

Disparities in Local Property Tax: Trends and an International Perspective

This study examines the distribution of the local property
tax (Arnona) burden in Israel by analyzing the household
expenditure surveys for the years 1997-2005. A new
analytical approach reveals the advantages and flaws of the
current taxation system in order to propose improving
measures of the existing mechanism.

 Abstract

Dror Moshe

Public Participation in Cultural Issues: The Perspective of Decision-Makers The Case of Ashdod

This study examines the perspectives of decision-makers in
the city of Ashdod concerning public participation in
cultural issues, against the background of various active
models of participatory democracy in Israel and overseas.
Activating a model of participatory democracy significantly
enhances the involvement of citizens in the democratic
process, to their own advantage. It is important to create a
mechanism that will enable citizens to realize their needs
and desires by applying their capacity to influence or take
part in decision-making processes.
The choice of Ashdod, the fifth largest city in Israel, is
not arbitrary in light of the numerous waves of migration
which form its residential fabric and generate contrasting
cultural needs.

 Abstract

Gonen Amiram

Linking Jerusalem to the Global Economy of Higher Education

The idea to position Jerusalem as a center of educational
services in the global economy is the main thrust of this
policy paper. It is founded on the city’s own past
achievement in higher education and on its future potential.
Educational services around the world have increasingly
become more “globalized” and students move across boundaries
and often great distances in order to get the right kind of
service in terms of quality and price.
With increased globalization the English language has
assumed become the main language of instruction. Its
predominant role in exporting educational services has
spurred universities to offer teaching services in English
to overseas students and thus avail them of this growing
global market. In order to realize its potential for
exporting higher educational services Jerusalem must do the
same.

 Abstract

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Masry-Herzalla Asmahan

Jerusalem as an Internal migration Destination for Palestinian-Israeli Single Women

This study focuses on the migration to Jerusalem by young
Palestinian-Israeli women from Arab localities in Israel and
on their eventual choice to settle in the city rather than
return to their native localities. The study examines the
considerations that determine their initial decision to
migrate to Jerusalem, usually for the purpose of studies or
employment. The characteristics of these young women are
examined, as are those unique characteristics of Jerusalem
as a migration-absorbing city. Their choice to reside in
neighborhoods within Jerusalem and shifts in their
socio-economic status resulting from the move are also
explored.

 Abstract

Razin Eran

City Center Revitalization and Retail Development in Israeli Local Authorities

Retail development is a critical element in development
strategies of local authorities. Its significance relates
not only to its contribution to the municipal tax base, but
also to its considerable contribution to the functioning of
the urban system and to quality of life. Transformations in
retail development in Israel create opportunities for the
initiative of local authorities aspiring to encourage local
development, including innovations that are not merely
replication of successful projects of adjacent local
authorities. Such initiative depends on familiarity with
what is desired and what is possible in retail development:
success of retail centers is extremely sensitive both to
location and internal features. Such awareness is critical
also to planners at the local and district levels. The
policy papers included in the collection discuss approaches
to the development and management of retail in local
authorities, and refer both to city center revitalization
and to new suburban shopping centers. Effective policy must
be based on proper understanding of the nature of demand for
retail services, of development patterns that contribute
most to the urban fabric and of organizational structures
for downtown revitalization

 Abstract

Hasson Shlomo

Between Nationalism and Democracy: Scenarios on Majority and Minority Relations in Israel

This study examines the relationship between nationalism and
democracy in Israel and offers several scenarios on the
issue of future relations between the Jewish majority and
the Arab minority in Israel. The study focuses on the
following cardinal questions:
* What is the ratio between nationalism and democracy in Israel?
* What are the factors shaping this ratio in Israel?
* What are the possible scenarios on the issues of nationalism and democracy and minority-majority relations in Israel?
* What can be done in light of the future possibilities described in the scenarios?

 Abstract

Khamaisi Rassem

Between Customs and Laws: Planning and Management of Land in Arab Localities in Israel

This study examines the customs and social accommodations
governing Arab society on issues of land management, among
them: identifying boundaries, parceling land, land uses and
land holding. All these developed in a rural society in
which land passed on from one generation to the next. The
development of land legislation in Israel and its impacts on
land management under conditions of urbanization are also
examined. The differences between the two systems (customs
versus regulations) from social, economic, cultural and
political aspects and considers their planning implications
on land uses and spatial development.

 Abstract

Razin Eran
and Hazan Anna

Redistributing Municipal Wealth in Israel: Reducing Inequalities in the Revenues of Local Authorities

This study analyzes options for redistributing revenues from
local taxes and levies on non-residential real estate among
local authorities, with the aim of reducing fiscal
disparities among local authorities.
The study recommends considering the implementation of
alternatives at the local and regional levels, with clearly
defined limits on conditions that permit revenue
redistribution without the consent of involved parties.
Implications in the direction of strengthening local
government or concentration of power in the hands of
government ministries depends on the manner of
implementation: imposition subject to restraint and clear
constraints, in which the central state is considered to be
a fair broker, or an arena for bitter conflicts and for
controversial decisions that are largely motivated by the
need to alleviate short-term fiscal problems of the central
state.

 Abstract

Arieli Shaul
and Schwartz Doubi and Tagari Hadas

Injustice and Folly: On the Proposals to Cede Arab Localities from Israel to Palestine

Proposals to cede Arab localities from Israeli to
Palestinian sovereignty, presented as "populated land
exchanges", involve forcibly revoking the citizenship
of tens of thousands of Arabs. Since the October 2000 events
these proposals penetrated the heart of public discourse.
The Arab leadership and public vehemently oppose these
proposals. This study examines the Jewish discourse
supporting the idea alongside Arab opposition to it in
Israel and the territories as well as its implications on
the character of the State of Israel. It examines Israeli
and international legal perspectives and demographic and
territorial implications. The study emphasizes the danger
and folly of this idea and recommends discussing the idea as
part of the Arab-Jewish discourse and as part of the status
of the Arab minority in a democratic Jewish state.

 Abstract

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Dahan Itzhak

Political Cultures in Development Towns

This study examines the world views, ideologies, traditions,
norms and social and cultural networks prevalent in
development towns among various protagonists and groups –
governmental and civic. The study highlights the crossroads,
conflict and junctures which develop in a tenuous social
field, and offers decision-makers an alternative strategy in
light of this cultural and political labyrinth.

 Abstract

Hasson Shlomo
and Karayanni Michael

Barriers to Equality: the Arabs in Israel

This book deals with two main questions: what are the
barriers to the equality and the development of the Arabs in
Israel? and how can the effect of these barriers be reduced?
The picture presented by the book is that despite certain
improvements in the social area, especially in the area of
education, the inequality between Jews and Arabs remains as
it was.  The book offers a preliminary background for the
analysis of the fundamental barriers preventing equality
between Arabs and Jews in Israel.

 Abstract