HaTachana (Old Railway Station) Park Jaffa-Tel Aviv

The Challenge

The Old Railway Station complex between Jaffa and Tel Aviv, which was renovated more than a decade ago, has struggled to thrive over the years, suffering from low demand and demarcation that limited accessibility and connection to the city’s residents. Transferring the management of the complex to Atarim, evacuating the adjacent Collection Houses Museum, opening the Railway Park, and launching the light rail’s Red Line station (“Elifelet Station”) all came together as an historic opportunity to change the perception of utilization and movement in this space. As stated, this was after decades of functioning as a closed urban buffer area.

Our Role

As part of the concept of “tactical urbanism” and inspired by case studies from leading cities around the world, we formulated a strategic plan that defines a new vision for the space. It includes changing the mix within the buildings, developing the Temporary Use approach in the vacated museum area, and connecting the space to the city in a continuous and natural way. The plan offered unique tools that enable proper and gradual business and community development of the space, reuse, and optimal utilization of existing buildings as part of principles of sustainability, and encourages something exciting: innovative and creative urban experimentation.

To this end, we carried out, together with Atarim and the Tel Aviv-Yafo municipality, an in-depth study and a strategic process in which we examined the area in all its aspects against the needs of the various communities in the area. This stage is intended to create targeted solutions for people who live, work, and visit the area, with an eye to both history and future developments.

The plan we formulated establishes principles of empowering public-facing character and day-to-day usability of buildings, creating a connecting urban continuum (rather than a series of stand-alone “complexes”), developing the public space through tactical planning tools and soft interventions, empowering local communities, and creating fertile ground for the realization of the long-term future plan.

The planning vision, which is called “HaTachana Park” – a natural urban park that connects to the heart of the city — defines a continuum of public spaces between the city and the sea: from “Park HaMesila”, above the light rail’s Red Line, to “HaTachana Park” to Charles Clore Park and the coastal strip, with a natural connection between Jaffa and Tel Aviv. In addition, this vision provides room for values of sustainability, urban and community authenticity, based on actual needs. all the while making the best use of what currently exists, as is, at the location.