We’re dedicating our August features to the world of architecture and design. It’s the perfect time to explore a dreamy new hotel, travel through the world’s most exquisite subway stations, or unwind in a thoughtfully designed coffee shop. We’re thrilled to bring you stories celebrating the stunning shapes and structures that make our world beautiful, including one about a historic city prioritizing accessibility, lessons from a Swedish cemetery on design, the impact of climate change on architecture, and essentials for creating a dream hotel.
Jerusalem’s Old City, a 5,000-year-old destination with about 10 million visitors annually, stands as Israel’s top tourist attraction. As a pilgrimage site sacred to Christians, Muslims, and Jews, it hosts some of the world’s most revered sites: the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Western Wall.
With its rich history and immense popularity, Jerusalem has been making extensive updates over the past decade to modernize the Old City. While some changes—like added signage for historical sites and new garbage collection points—benefit all visitors, local organizations are striving to enhance accessibility for everyone, including those with mobility challenges, visual impairments, and families with strollers.
Efforts to improve accessibility have been significant. Nearly 4 miles of alleyways across the Old City have been made accessible, with over a mile of handrails installed. Public restrooms have been upgraded, and new streetlights enhance visibility. Sixty Bluetooth devices, or beacons, have been strategically placed in the city to provide navigation instructions through the “Step-Hear” app for visually impaired visitors. Currently, these audio guides are available in Hebrew, English, and Arabic, with more languages and over 200 beacons planned for the future.
“There are very few historical cities worldwide that blend archaeological wonders, tourist attractions, and continuous human activity for thousands of years,” said Gura Berger, spokesperson for the East Jerusalem Development Company, to TripSavvy. “No other historic city recognized as a World Heritage City has executed such an extensive accessibility initiative like Jerusalem’s.”
The project, costing around 22 million Israeli new shekels (about $6.7 million) so far, involves multiple local organizations and field teams. Funded by the Jerusalem and Heritage Ministry and the Jerusalem Development Authority, the initiative was managed by PAMI and overseen by groups including the Ministry of Tourism, the Municipality’s Accessibility Department, the National Social Security Agency, and the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Discussions about making the Old City accessible began with Dr. Avi Ramot, Director of the Israeli Center for Accessibility of the Shekel Association, meeting JDA in 2007. The updates needed to align with UNESCO and Israel’s Antiquities Authority guidelines while considering local topographical challenges, like the 260-foot height variation within the Old City and preserving fragile historic structures.
“The main goal is to make the city accessible to everyone while preserving its unique character for future generations,” Berger said. The accessibility extends as far as it can without compromising archaeological sites, private property, or the city’s unique identity.
The project has faced many challenges. Over its 5,000-year history, Jerusalem has been transformed by numerous empires, creating a cultural mosaic of Roman streets, Mamluk architecture, and Ottoman borders. The city presents a particularly complex challenge due to its dense construction, significant sites of historical and religious value, and a sensitive political environment, noted Dr. Ramot in “A Matter of Access,” a publication on accessibility for those with special needs.
Implementing access-friendly routes and handrails has been a gradual process, with work divided into sections that can take weeks or months. “Any construction needed input from the Antiquities Authority, resulting in lengthy discussions at times,” Dr. Ramot noted.
Compromises have been necessary, especially with religious authorities. For example, efforts to replace a mobile wooden ramp to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre faced opposition from the Vatican and the Muslim family guarding the church.
Political issues have also emerged, such as when the Jordanian Waqf removed handrails on the Via Dolorosa due to oversight in obtaining the proper permissions. Fortunately, diplomatic discussions resolved the issue partially.
While initially focused on local needs, benefiting the 12 percent of locals with disabilities, the project now also supports tourists. The “Accessible JLM” app lets travelers with disabilities plan accessible routes between attractions, available in eight languages with real-time GPS tracking. Visitors can also find free print maps at the Ministry of Tourism Information Bureau at Jaffa Gate.
Though nearing completion, with 95 percent accessibility achieved, ongoing work remains challenging, particularly during the pandemic when tourism dwindled, slowing construction. With tourism rebounding, completing the final 5 percent will take time.
“Making this historical city accessible enriches its offerings for all visitors and sets a precedent for other historic cities globally to become more inclusive,” Dr. Ramot concluded. “It’s our hope that both locals and tourists, with or without disabilities, can enjoy these cultural treasures.”
