Editing Haifa (section)

==Urban development==
[[File:Sderot Ben Gurion Haifa IL WV.JPG|thumb|upright|Ben-Gurion Avenue and the German Colony]]

Recently, residential construction has been concentrated around Kiryat Haim and [[Kiryat Shmuel, Haifa|Kiryat Shmuel]], with {{cvt|75000|m²|0}} of new residential construction between 2002 and 2004, the Carmel, with {{cvt|70000|m²|0}}, and Ramot Neve Sha'anan with approximately {{cvt|70000|m²|0}}<ref name=building>{{cite web |url=http://www1.haifa.muni.il/spru/doc/YB/Building/Y2004/Download/BuildingDL.pdf |title=Building |publisher=Haifa Municipality |work=Haifa Statistical Yearbook |access-date=21 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409211937/http://www1.haifa.muni.il/spru/doc/YB/Building/Y2004/Download/BuildingDL.pdf |archive-date=9 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Non-residential construction was highest in the [[Lower Town]], (90,000 sq m), Haifa Bay (72,000 sq m) and Ramot Neve Sha'anan (54,000 sq m).<ref name=building/> In 2004, 80% of construction in the city was private.<ref name=building/>

Currently, the city has a modest number of skyscrapers and high-rise buildings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emporis.com/city/haifa-israel/high-rise-buildings |title=high-rise buildings &#124; Buildings |publisher=Emporis |access-date=12 March 2013 |archive-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407063705/http://www.emporis.com/city/haifa-israel/high-rise-buildings |url-status=usurped}}</ref> Though buildings rising up to 20 stories were built on Mount Carmel in the past, the Haifa municipality banned the construction of any new buildings taller than nine stories on Mount Carmel in July 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=844707 |title=Gad Zeevi demands Haifa permit high-rises on the Carmel |newspaper=Globes |date=17 October 2004 |access-date=12 March 2013 |archive-date=7 January 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130107221734/http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=844707 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The neighborhood of Wadi Salib, located in the heart of downtown Haifa, is being redeveloped. Most of its Jewish and Arab residents are considered squatters and have been gradually evicted over the years. The Haifa Economic Corporation Ltd is developing two 1,000 square meter lots for office and commercial use.<ref>[http://www.hec.co.il/Calcalit/Templates/showpage.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=84&FID=276 Haifa Economic Corporation Ltd: Wadi Salib] Haifa Economic Corporation {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Some historic buildings have been renovated and redeveloped, especially into nightclubs and theaters, such as the Palace of the Pasha, a [[Turkish bath]]house, and a [[Middle Eastern music]] and [[Nightclub|dance club]], which has been converted into theaters and offices.<ref name=Johal />

In 2012, a new, massive development plan was announced for Haifa's waterfront. According to the plan, the western section of the city's port will be torn down, and all port activity will be moved to the east. The west side of the port will be transformed into a tourism and nightlife center and a point of embarkation and arrival for sea travel through the construction of public spaces, a beach promenade, and the renovation of commercial buildings. The train tracks that currently bisect the city and separate the city's beach from the rest of Haifa will also be buried.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4250979,00.html |title=Plan aims to turn Haifa into 'the Barcelona of Israel' |newspaper=Ynetnews |publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=20 June 1995 |access-date=12 March 2013 |archive-date=26 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226232047/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4250979,00.html |url-status=live|last1=Shauli |first1=Alphi }}</ref> A park will be developed on the border of the Kishon River, the refineries' cooling towers will be turned into a visitors' center, and bridges will lead from the port to the rest of the city. Massive renovations are also currently underway in Haifa's lower town, in the Turkish market and Paris Square, which will become the city's business center.<ref name=hotels/> In addition, the ammonia depository tank in the Haifa bay industrial zone will be dismantled, and a new one built in an alternative location.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4330877,00.html |title=Move of Haifa Bay's ammonia tank tangled in red tape |newspaper=Ynetnews |publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=20 June 1995 |access-date=12 March 2013 |archive-date=15 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315020714/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4330877,00.html |url-status=live|last1=Ben-David |first1=Amir }}</ref>
[[File:The Carmelite Compound (8).jpg|thumb|The Carmelite Compound in [[Paris Square (Haifa)|Paris Square]]]]

Another plan seeks to turn the western section of Haifa Port into a major tourism and nightlife center, as well as a functioning point of embarkation and arrival for sea travel. All port activity will be moved to the western side, and the area will be redeveloped. Public spaces and a beach promenade will be developed, and commercial buildings will be renovated.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4250979,00.html |title=Plan aims to turn Haifa into 'the Barcelona of Israel' |newspaper=Ynetnews |publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=20 June 1995 |access-date=24 March 2013 |archive-date=26 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226232047/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4250979,00.html |url-status=live|last1=Shauli |first1=Alphi }}</ref> As part of the development plans, the [[Israeli Navy]], which has a large presence in Haifa, will withdraw from the shoreline between Bat Galim and Hof Hashaket. A {{cvt|5|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us|adj=on}} long [[esplanade]] which will encircle the shoreline will be constructed. It will include a bicycle path, and possibly also a small bridge under which navy vessels will pass on their way to the sea.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4312236,00.html |title=Haifa residents invited to 'smash wall' |newspaper=Ynetnews |publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=20 June 1995 |access-date=12 March 2013 |archive-date=7 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307214453/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4312236,00.html |url-status=live|last1=Beno |first1=Goel }}</ref>

In addition, a 50,000 square-meter entertainment complex that will contain a [[Disney]] theme park, cinemas, shops, and a 25-screen [[Multiplex (movie theater)|Multiplex theater]] will be built at the Check Post exit from the Carmel Tunnels.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000612861&fid=1124 |title=NIS 600m Disney park, multiplex planned for Haifa |work=Globes |date=3 January 2011 |access-date=12 March 2013 |archive-date=4 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404063534/http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000612861&fid=1124 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, a new major plan for the city was proposed, under which extensive development of residential, business, and leisure areas will take place with the target of increasing the city's population by 60,000 by 2025. Under the plan, five new neighborhoods will be built, along with new high-tech parks. In addition, existing employment centers will be renovated, and new leisure areas and a large park will be built.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-haifa-outline-plan-filed-for-objections-1000920431 |title=Haifa outline plan filed for objections |work=Globes |date=26 February 2014 |access-date=16 July 2014 |archive-date=5 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305044225/http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-haifa-outline-plan-filed-for-objections-1000920431 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2016, a new plan for the city was approved. The plan included a new main downtown business district, the creation of a park in a current industrial area, new construction and renovation of public buildings and hubs of higher education, tourism, culture, commerce, leisure, and residence.<ref name=globes />