More than half of Israel is desert land, yet thanks to innovation and dedication, the desert seems to be truly blossoming. With much focus placed on central Israel, specifically Tel Aviv, in terms of urban development, some eyes are shifting towards a more long-term, and less saturated, focused future – meaning that the Negev is getting a makeover.
Thanks to committed farmers and large-scale investors, research and development down south is on the rise. From new technologies to new cities, what some might call miracles can be attributed to hard work, lots of experimenting, and foreign capital from those who see Israel’s future in the desert.
One organization, Or Movement, understands that in order for Israel’s population and economy to thrive, more cities, more jobs, and more benefits need to exist in the perimeter. Since starting their work in 2012, they have built eight cities in the South through their equitable cities program, “a multi-channel accelerator aimed to reduce gaps between development towns and the cities in the center of Israel, to strengthen the cities in the periphery, and as a result affect the whole region.“ Their mission is to support the sustainability and success of both the Negev and Galilee areas by the year 2048.
Another massive southern appeal is the agri-tech and food-tech industries. Supported by the Ramat Negev Research and Development Center, farmers have a central place to approach with their problems, and to flush out solutions. For those growing vineyards in the center of the desert, and even a fishery, investments seem to be paying off for the South, and for the future of a flourishing Israel.
