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“Utilizing Digital Tools to Promote Human Rights and Create Inclusive Public Spaces” Project

Gaza, Palestine

2017 - 2018

GenderGreen SpacesPost-conflict DevelopmentPublic Spaces

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Project Description

Approach Words: Inclusive City, Participatory Approach, Urban Livability

Public Policy Instruments: Communicative, Organization, Physical Intervention, Planning

Utilizing Digital Tools to Promote Human Rights and Create Inclusive Public Spaces in the Gaza Strip is a two-year program led by UN Women and UN-Habitat. The initiative aimed to co-design and implement three inclusive public gardens¹ in Gaza City in Palestine, serving over 100,000 citizens across the areas of Al-Shoka, Beit Lahia, and Al-Zawayada.² ³ By adopting a participatory approach, the program engages communities in designing public spaces using digital tools such as Minecraft and SaftiPin. The program’s primary objectives are to build urban environments that support all residents, particularly women and children,⁴ by creating safe and inclusive public spaces.⁵ It also seeks to provide relief to people suffering from the effects of the blockade that has severely impacted the living conditions and economic situations in the Gaza Strip.⁶

Title: Community workshop for designing Al Shoka Community Garden using Minecraft.

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Title: Photo showing the local community who participated in the design of Al-Zawaida Park to approve the final design proposal.

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Title: Al Shaimaa Community Garden in Beit Lahia after implementation.

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Title: Kids area in Al Shoka Community Garden.

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Title: Community workshop for designing Al Shoka Community Garden using Minecraft.

Source: Click Here

Title: Photo showing the local community who participated in the design of Al-Zawaida Park to approve the final design proposal.

Source: Click Here

Title: Al Shaimaa Community Garden in Beit Lahia after implementation.

Source: Click Here

Title: Kids area in Al Shoka Community Garden.

Source: Click Here

To achieve these objectives, the project was implemented in four main phases:
(1) Selection of the sites for intervention in the three neighborhoods of Al-Shoka, Beit Lahia, and Al-Zawayada. These neighborhoods are characterized by marginalization, lack of public services, and open green spaces.⁷

(2) Organization of capacity-building sessions for local female architects and community representatives focused on developing gender-inclusive, safe, and accessible public spaces free from violence against women, utilizing digital technologies.⁸ The female architects were later engaged in the participatory design process of the public spaces.⁹
Additionally, local councils and professionals were trained in using digital technologies to develop interactive municipal websites to better inform citizens about planning, land availability, and development opportunities.¹⁰

(3) Organization of community workshops¹¹ to gather input from residents and generate design proposals.¹² These workshops represented the first opportunity for residents to actively participate in developing the community gardens with the help of digital platforms.¹³ These workshops focused on inclusive design approaches for public spaces.¹⁴

The co-design workshops were held in three locations across the Gaza Strip as follows:

Al-Shoka workshops took place in August 2017, engaging 30 participants who used Minecraft to develop ideas for the community garden.¹⁵ The selected site, spanning 2,600 square meters, was previously the only green space in the Rafah district before its destruction by the war in 2014.¹⁶ ¹⁷ During the workshop, the participants developed 13 design proposals.¹⁸ The resulting proposal included an area dedicated to women and families with features such as solar panels to power lights and municipal Wi-Fi to keep residents connected.¹⁹
Beit Lahia workshops took place in early 2018 in the Al-Shaimaa neighborhood, attracting 35 participants, primarily women and youth.²⁰ Participants developed and presented 11 design proposals.²¹ The resulting garden design emphasized equity and inclusiveness, providing comfortable spaces and easy access for various groups, including children, women, and individuals with disabilities.²²
Al Zawayada workshops took place in July 2018, with 42 participants contributing to the design process. The selected site for this community garden is located in the middle of the Gaza Strip.²³ The resulting garden design prioritized protective measures and safety,²⁴ incorporating lighting, fencing, security features such as a guard, and a dedicated area for women and families.²⁵

Owner/Developer

UN-Habitat

UN Women ³²

Consultant/Designer

UN-Habitat

UN Women ³³

Funder

Government of the Kingdom of Belgium ³⁴

Contractor/Implementer

UN-Habitat

Palestinian Housing Council

AISHA Association for Women and Child Protection ³⁵

Owner/Developer

UN-Habitat

UN Women ³²

Contractor/Implementer

UN-Habitat

Palestinian Housing Council

AISHA Association for Women and Child Protection ³⁵

Funder

Government of the Kingdom of Belgium ³⁴

Consultant/Designer

UN-Habitat

UN Women ³³

(4) Implementation and inauguration of the community public gardens.
Al Shoka Community Garden was inaugurated in April 2018,²⁶ followed by Al Shaimaa Community Garden in Beit Lahia in August 2018,²⁷ and Al-Zawayada Community Garden in December 2018.²⁸

The program was initiated by UN-Habitat and UN Women,²⁹ and implemented in cooperation with the Palestinian Housing Council, AISHA Association for Women and Child Protection, and Gateway for Outsourcing Information Technology.³⁰ The Government of the Kingdom of Belgium funded the project.³¹

Project Link, Endnotes and References

Project Link

https://www.facebook.com/UtilizingDigital/

Endnotes

References

‘Digital technology to increase participation of women, youth in reconstruction of the Gaza Strip’. (2016). UN Women – Palestine Country Office. Retrieved August 5, 2024, from <https://palestine.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2016/12/programme-launch-digital>
Dpr 3. (n.d.). ‘UN-Habitat and UN Women Held a Closing Ceremony of the Joint Programme “Utilizing Digital Tools to Promote Human Rights and Create Inclusive Public Spaces in the Gaza Strip” – Press Release’. Question of Palestine. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://www.un.org/unispal/document/un-habitat-and-un-women-held-a-closing-ceremony-of-the-joint-programme-utilizing-digital-tools-to-promote-human-rights-and-create-inclusive-public-spaces-in-the-gaza-strip/>
‘Building Safe Spaces for Women and Youth in the Gaza Strip’. (n.d.). Block by Block. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://www.blockbyblock.org/projects/gazastrip>
‘Building Safe Spaces for Women and Youth in the Gaza Strip’. (n.d.). Block by Block. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://www.blockbyblock.org/projects/gazastrip>
‘Building Safe Spaces for Women and Youth in the Gaza Strip’. (n.d.). Block by Block. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://www.blockbyblock.org/projects/gazastrip>
‘Park makeover offers escape for women in besieged Gaza’. (n.d.). . Retrieved August 11, 2024, from <https://news.cgtn.com/news/35416a4d346b7a6333566d54/share_p.html>
‘Building Safe Spaces for Women and Youth in the Gaza Strip’. (n.d.). Block by Block. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://www.blockbyblock.org/projects/gazastrip>
Dpr 3. (n.d.). ‘UN-Habitat and UN Women Held a Closing Ceremony of the Joint Programme “Utilizing Digital Tools to Promote Human Rights and Create Inclusive Public Spaces in the Gaza Strip” – Press Release’. Question of Palestine. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://www.un.org/unispal/document/un-habitat-and-un-women-held-a-closing-ceremony-of-the-joint-programme-utilizing-digital-tools-to-promote-human-rights-and-create-inclusive-public-spaces-in-the-gaza-strip/>
Dpr 3. (n.d.). ‘UN-Habitat and UN Women Held a Closing Ceremony of the Joint Programme “Utilizing Digital Tools to Promote Human Rights and Create Inclusive Public Spaces in the Gaza Strip” – Press Release’. Question of Palestine. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://www.un.org/unispal/document/un-habitat-and-un-women-held-a-closing-ceremony-of-the-joint-programme-utilizing-digital-tools-to-promote-human-rights-and-create-inclusive-public-spaces-in-the-gaza-strip/>
‘Digital technology to increase participation of women, youth in reconstruction of the Gaza Strip’. (2016). UN Women – Palestine Country Office. Retrieved August 8, 2024, from <https://palestine.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2016/12/programme-launch-digital>
Heaney, C. (n.d.). ‘Inauguration of Al Shaimaa Community Garden in Beit Lahia in Gaza – UN Habitat Article’. Question of Palestine. Retrieved August 8, 2024, from <https://www.un.org/unispal/document/inauguration-of-al-shaimaa-community-garden-in-beit-lahia-in-gaza-un-habitat-article/>
‘Building Safe Spaces for Women and Youth in the Gaza Strip’. (n.d.). Block by Block. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://www.blockbyblock.org/projects/gazastrip>
‘Building Safe Spaces for Women and Youth in the Gaza Strip’. (n.d.). Block by Block. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://www.blockbyblock.org/projects/gazastrip>
‘Building Safe Spaces for Women and Youth in the Gaza Strip’. (n.d.). Block by Block. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://www.blockbyblock.org/projects/gazastrip>
‘Building Safe Spaces for Women and Youth in the Gaza Strip’. (n.d.). Block by Block. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://www.blockbyblock.org/projects/gazastrip>
‘Inauguration of the first safe and inclusive community garden in Al Shoka town in Gaza Strip | UN-Habitat’. (n.d.). . Retrieved August 8, 2024, from <https://unhabitat.org/inauguration-of-the-first-safe-and-inclusive-community-garden-in-al-shoka-town-in-gaza-strip>
‘A garden for all—women and youth rebuild safe and inclusive spaces in Gaza’. (2018). UN Women – Palestine Country Office. Retrieved August 8, 2024, from <https://palestine.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2018/03/dalia-feature>
‘Inauguration of the first safe and inclusive community garden in Al Shoka town in Gaza Strip | UN-Habitat’. (n.d.). . Retrieved August 8, 2024, from <https://unhabitat.org/inauguration-of-the-first-safe-and-inclusive-community-garden-in-al-shoka-town-in-gaza-strip>
‘Building Safe Spaces for Women and Youth in the Gaza Strip’. (n.d.). Block by Block. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://www.blockbyblock.org/projects/gazastrip>
‘Building Safe Spaces for Women and Youth in the Gaza Strip’. (n.d.). Block by Block. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://www.blockbyblock.org/projects/gazastrip>
Heaney, C. (n.d.). ‘Inauguration of Al Shaimaa Community Garden in Beit Lahia in Gaza – UN Habitat Article’. Question of Palestine. Retrieved August 8, 2024, from <https://www.un.org/unispal/document/inauguration-of-al-shaimaa-community-garden-in-beit-lahia-in-gaza-un-habitat-article/>
Heaney, C. (n.d.). ‘Inauguration of Al Shaimaa Community Garden in Beit Lahia in Gaza – UN Habitat Article’. Question of Palestine. Retrieved August 8, 2024, from <https://www.un.org/unispal/document/inauguration-of-al-shaimaa-community-garden-in-beit-lahia-in-gaza-un-habitat-article/>
‘Building Safe Spaces for Women and Youth in the Gaza Strip’. (n.d.). Block by Block. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://www.blockbyblock.org/projects/gazastrip>
‘Designed in Minecraft, built IRL’. (2020). Rest of World. Retrieved August 12, 2024, from <https://restofworld.org/2020/rebuilding-gaza-with-minecraft/>
‘Designed in Minecraft, built IRL’. (2020). Rest of World. Retrieved August 12, 2024, from <https://restofworld.org/2020/rebuilding-gaza-with-minecraft/>
Mannheim, S. (n.d.). ‘Inauguration of the first safe and inclusive community garden in Al Shoka town in Gaza Strip – URBAN THINKERS CAMPUS’. Retrieved August 8, 2024, from <https://2016.utc-mannheim.de/en/inauguration-of-the-first-safe-and-inclusive-community-garden-in-al-shoka-town-in-gaza-strip/>
‘Building Safe Spaces for Women and Youth in the Gaza Strip’. (n.d.). Block by Block. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://www.blockbyblock.org/projects/gazastrip>
‘Digital tools utilized to promote human rights and create inclusive public spaces in the Gaza Strip | UN-Habitat’. (n.d.). . Retrieved August 8, 2024, from <https://unhabitat.org/closing-ceremony-of-the-joint-programme-utilizing-digital-tools-to-promote-human-rights-and-create-inclusive-public-spaces-in-the-gaza-strip>
‘Digital technology to increase participation of women, youth in reconstruction of the Gaza Strip’. (2016). UN Women – Palestine Country Office. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://palestine.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2016/12/programme-launch-digital>
‘Digital technology to increase participation of women, youth in reconstruction of the Gaza Strip’. (2016). UN Women – Palestine Country Office. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://palestine.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2016/12/programme-launch-digital>
‘Digital technology to increase participation of women, youth in reconstruction of the Gaza Strip’. (2016). UN Women – Palestine Country Office. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://palestine.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2016/12/programme-launch-digital>
‘Digital technology to increase participation of women, youth in reconstruction of the Gaza Strip’. (2016). UN Women – Palestine Country Office. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://palestine.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2016/12/programme-launch-digital>
‘Digital technology to increase participation of women, youth in reconstruction of the Gaza Strip’. (2016). UN Women – Palestine Country Office. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://palestine.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2016/12/programme-launch-digital>
‘Digital technology to increase participation of women, youth in reconstruction of the Gaza Strip’. (2016). UN Women – Palestine Country Office. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://palestine.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2016/12/programme-launch-digital>
‘Digital technology to increase participation of women, youth in reconstruction of the Gaza Strip’. (2016). UN Women – Palestine Country Office. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from <https://palestine.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2016/12/programme-launch-digital>