62 Benny Furst, Orr Karassin, Nimrod Geva iii Alongside the growing recognition of urban renewal as a key tool for promoting sustainable urbanism and reducing spatial disparities in Israeli cities, a fundamental question remains: Do these processes truly reflect a genuine commitment to embedding environmental values in planning and implementation, or are they primarily spatial practices driven by economic and infrastructural considerations? The findings of this study raise substantial doubts regarding the extent to which principles of sustainable planning are being realized in statutory urban renewal plans. The average score on the Environmental Index for Urban Renewal (UREI), developed specifically for this study, was only 38 out of 100. Moreover, over half of the plans examined received a score below 40, with key indicators—such as energy independence and accessibility to public transportation—rarely implemented. Despite these concerning findings, the study also identifies ongoing trends of gradual improvement, including a steady (albeit modest) rise in EIUR scores over the past decade, as well as isolated cases of excellence—mainly in smaller municipalities—that demonstrate relatively advanced planning models. These findings highlight the need for professionalization and the internalization of environmental principles in planning, especially when a clear regulatory framework and local planning capacity are in place. The significant disparities between different municipalities, as well as the notable absence of urban renewal plans in peripheral areas and among specific population groups (such as the Haredi and Arab Abstract
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