From Chaos to Civilization: How the British Empire Transformed the Middle East
A Story Unfolding Across Timelines.
Recap from previous episodes:
In the following episodes, I’m sharing my dialogues with my father and inviting you to join our conversation. He begins with a brief overview of what happened in the pre-state period until we reach the early days of Israel and the construction solutions adopted to house almost a million immigrants who arrived in Israel with nothing but the clothes they wore.
Current Time.
Liat: Dad, why is it so complicated to build a building? Why is a construction project so long and exhausting? Sometimes, it could take years just to get a permit.
Nissim: Yes, indeed. It is a long and exhausting process. However, there are countries in which authorizing projects is much faster and more efficient. Before diving into other countries' processes, let’s start by learning about the origin of Israeli planning and construction regulations and characteristics to make it easier to understand the differences.
The region of the land of Israel began its modern development during the British Mandate. Before that, the area didn't have structured governmental regulations or laws as we have today in most countries. The Ottoman Empire had some legal structures in place, but they were less systematic; for example, in urban planning, landowners could build almost anything they wanted and faced only a few restrictions. Back then, government officials had little to no knowledge of building design, so when they imposed difficulties, it was often due to their interest in receiving bribes rather than enforcing formal building codes.
After the League of Nations granted the British Empire the mandate of the area, they heavily invested in the region's infrastructure, and you can see their fingerprints everywhere you look, even today. From transportation, urban planning, and military bases to health, education, and cultural institutions, the area, which later would become Israel and Jordan, was shaped and built in their image. However, it's important to remember that these developments were first strategic to them and served both the British military and the British Empire's economic interests while addressing the needs of the local population. Without their vision and execution, this area would have probably remained underdeveloped, as it had been for hundreds of years before their arrival.
Let me give you several examples of a long list of achievements accomplished under their rule. During the British Mandate in Palestine (1920-1948), the British Empire's administration initiated and executed various developments that significantly shaped and modernized the region's infrastructure, urban planning, and institutional framework. Some of their most prominent contributions to this area were paving and improving the main roads of Jaffa-Jerusalem and Haifa-Nazareth and expanding the railway network, including constructing the Jezreel Valley railway.
Their contributions also included establishing a governmental hospital in Jaffa to serve the city's growing population and expanding Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, which became one of the critical healthcare institutions in the region. The British established the Rockefeller Archeological Museum in Jerusalem, which became the center of archaeological research and exhibits in the area. Although founded before British control, the Hebrew University in Jerusalem became a leading higher education and research institution during the British Mandate.
The British also invested heavily in education and expanded the system by supporting Jewish and Arab schools and establishing Arab high schools. Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design continued to grow under British rule, attracting teachers and students from Germany, including several from the Bauhaus school that the Nazis shut down.
Most of the significant cultural institutions we still have today were founded during their time, such as the Palestine Symphony Orchestra (later the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra), Habima Theater, Jerusalem YMCA, and the Cameri Theatre of Tel Aviv. The British Empire contributed to their establishment, but they were mainly driven by Jewish entrepreneurship, which had a solid cultural background, vision, and initiative. The British supported these efforts, but they did not initiate them.
In contrast, the Arab community in Palestine, though rich in cultural heritage, did not establish any formalized cultural institutions during the British Mandate period and failed to organize or develop lasting cultural institutions on a national level.
Let's return to British initiatives to develop and modernize the area; the region's infrastructure was their top priority. Several military bases, including Sarafand (Tzrifin) and Aqir (Tel Nof) Airfield, were built for the British army and continue to serve the IDF even today. They also developed Lydda (Lod) Airfield into a significant military and civilian airport, and today, it is Ben Gurion International Airport.
The British Empire laid the groundwork for regional governmental institutions. They created a structured civil service and established departments and offices that would become the foundation of the future Israeli bureaucracy. They also introduced a modern judiciary system, including courts that applied British law alongside Ottoman and local laws.
This glimpse of their highlights was to give you a brief introduction to their cornerstone accomplishments. One of their most essential contributions to the area was urban planning, which involved implementing modern planning and building regulations. The British authorities introduced zoning laws to regulate land use and development in urban areas, ensuring organized growth.
They established building codes to set construction quality and safety standards and initiated heritage preservation efforts to protect historical and archaeological sites. Additionally, planners developed master plans for cities like Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa, focusing on organized expansion, infrastructure, and public spaces, laying the groundwork for future urban development.
Liat: Wow. They did a lot of things.
Nissim: Yes, they did. This background is essential to understanding the area's urban planning development. I know it's a lot to take in, so let's pause here and continue tomorrow.
If you have friends who are curious about construction methods and residential housing solutions, this could be a good opportunity for them to learn. Would you like to invite them to our next session?
Liat: I can post about it, but they are probably busy with work and family.
Nissim: If you invite them, they will come.
Liat: It's not worth expecting someone to come.
Nissim: "I am realistic; I expect miracles." I couldn't have expected less from myself.
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Liat
In this journey, I weave together episodes from my life with the rich tapestry of Israeli culture through music, food, arts, entrepreneurship, and more. I write over the weekends and evenings and publish these episodes as they unfold, almost like a live performance.
Each episode is part of a set focused on a specific topic, though sometimes I release standalone episodes. A set is released over several days to make it easier for you to read during your busy workday. If one episode catches your attention, make sure to read the entire set to get the whole picture. Although these episodes are released in sets, you can read the entire newsletter from the beginning, as it flows smoothly, like music to your ears — or, in this case, your eyes.