Mega Projects: As A Reflection of Change in Israeli Society (The Huleh Drainage and Road #6)

Analyzing two central mega-engineering projects in Israel: the Huleh drainage in the 1950s and the Trans-Israel Highway in the 2000s led the authors to conclude these large-scale projects reflect deep structural changes in the Israeli society during the two periods under review. The analysis focuses on five domains: national ideology, the public discourse and the process of decision making, attitude toward nature and environment and social justice. A strong synergy was found between the culture and the politics of the Israeli society at each of the two researched periods and the nature of the initiated mega-project.

IZHAK SCHNELL is Professor in the Department of Geography and Human Environment at Tel Aviv University. He specialized in environmental and socio-spatial impacts of global processes. He has been the president of the Association of Israeli Geographers and is the representative of the Israeli Academy of Science in the International Geographical Association.

ANDA ROSENBERG is a Civil Engineer who managed infrastructure projects for Tahal Consulting Eng. and for The Israel Ports Authority. She has a Master Degree in Geography and Human Environment from Tel Aviv University. She specialized in environmental and social impacts of national mega-projects.