OK, maybe preserving the safety and quality of life in my neighborhood (Baka, in southeast Jerusalem) is not the most pressing social issue on the global agenda. But global and local have merged, and as citizens of the global village we can only think in "Glocal" terms. If we allor our own neighborhood to be destroyed what hope do we have for the world?
Last night I attended an emergency meeting of neighbors...received the meeting notice by email (many times over...). It was a classic Israeli style town meeting, everybody stating with complete authority absolute nonsense (including me...when in Rome...).
The issue is simple: the Jerusalem Municipality wants to turn our sleepy little "main street," of Bethlehem Road, into a main traffic artery to bring traffic from the surrounding neighborhoods to the center of Western Jerusalem. This entails installing traffic lights, an increase of traffic to the factor of 10 (probably more), and changes in street directions. If put into place, will destroy the quality of life -- imagine a highway going through Mayberry. What is much more disturbing is the danger this will pose to our children, who are accustomed to slow moving light traffic, now will face an autobahn as they try and make their way across the street. This is all taking place steps away from my front door.
After an hour of shouting, the formal meeting broke up, and the work began...emails were exchanged, tasks were volunteered for, and a public protest campaign quickly started to emerge. Now the Internet generation took over...withing hours a website/blog was created (www.savebaka.blogspot.com), posters were created (see below), and email coordination took over. An on-line petition will be up by tomorrow.
The problem is real and physical, taking place in a city known for problems, not so much for solutions. In three thousand years we still haven't figured out how to peacefully live together and share in the wonder that is Holy City, every inch of real estate is a hot button global political issue, but meanwhile there are those of trying to live "normal" lives, dealing with classic urban planning issues. Hopefully through the use of modern communication tools we can quickly gather together the necessary forces to protect out neighborhood.
Just remember: Bethlehem Road was designed for the Three Kings traveling on horseback...not for thousands of cars and delivery trucks...
Online Petition is up and running!
http://www.petitiononline.com/savebaka/petition.html
Add your signature now!
Posted by: Yaron | November 16, 2006 at 03:20 PM