THE ABC OF ARCHITECTURAL PLANNING

Instructor

Prof Arch. Danny Lazar

Thesis Instructor

Arch. Dafna Matok

Year

2024

Location

Yad Eliyahu, Tel Aviv

I believe that architecture is not merely a technical field of building design, but a powerful tool for social connection and education.

My engagement with the relationship between architecture, education, and society began in my third year of studies when I taught architecture classes to elementary school children. In these sessions, I was exposed to the extraordinary creativity of the children, which led me to rethink my own architectural perceptions. The children, despite having no formal training, were able to offer surprising ideas based on a deep understanding of the space around them, reflecting local needs that are often overlooked in traditional planning processes.

These insights inspired me to develop a project aimed at integrating the child’s perspective into urban planning processes. Over the past year, I documented a dialogue between children from various backgrounds and planners through observations, group meetings, and literature review. I implemented the project in the Yad Eliyahu neighborhood in Tel Aviv, an old neighborhood undergoing significant urban renewal. As part of the project, I designed several public buildings and urban spaces stretching along a central green axis in the neighborhood, connecting educational institutions, green spaces, and community centers. The buildings were designed to offer diverse architectural experiences for visitors—both children and adults—allowing them to learn, explore, and experience architecture firsthand.

The goal of the project is to place architecture at the heart of public and educational discourse, to create a knowledge base that strengthens the connection between the public and architecture, and to contribute to a fundamental change in the planning process in Israel—one that is more connected to users' needs and encourages active participation in design processes.