The Center's Conferences and Prominent Events





The Open University Conference on the Environment: Urbanization in the Test of Sustainability, 10.9.2024

The center's first conference is dedicated to the topic of urbanization in the test of sustainability. The event included discussions with senior policymakers in central and local government, and research sessions in which research by the center's researchers was presented. The conference was filmed and broadcast on Facebook Live, on the Open University website, and will later be uploaded to the website for direct viewing.

To view the event content:

For the conference page (in Hebrew) >>

For the conference invitation >>

For the full conference recording >>


Center Team Tour and Meetings with Mayors in Arab Society, 27.8.2024

The Center for Environmental and Sustainability Studies team visited three Arab municipalities in the north of the country to learn firsthand about the environmental and planning challenges of Arab cities in the face of war and cuts in balanced budgets. The team members met with Sakhnin Mayor Mazen Ganaim (who also serves as the head of the Arab Mayors' Committee) and the city's CEO Qassem Abu Ria, with the mayor of Shfaram, Nahed Hazem, and with the mayor of Tamra, Musa Abu Rumi. We asked to hear about the preparedness of local authorities for emergencies in general and extreme climatic events in particular, such as floods and fires. We also wanted to understand whether the authorities are engaged in formulating a vision for sustainable development, and what are the special challenges that the authorities are currently experiencing in preserving functional continuity and providing services to residents. This tour added an impressive layer to the pioneering research led by Dr. Ahmed Hijazi, a researcher at the center, on the subject of local authorities' preparedness in Arab society for extreme climatic events... Continue reading >>



Center Team Tour in Haifa, 25.6.2024

The center team began the tour with an observation deck from the Eshkol Tower at the University of Haifa towards the Haifa Port and the new Gulf Port, and provided an explanation of the emerging National Infrastructure Plan (Tatol 118) regarding the regulation of land use and the upgrading of environmental standards in the port. After a brief visit to the Hecht Museum of Archaeology, the team returned to the lower city and toured along the restored section of Nahal Saadia, an urban natural site that has gained renewed sympathy from Haifa residents, mainly thanks to a stubborn public struggle. From there, the team continued to the German Colony to hear a fascinating overview of the sensitive legal and social aspects involved in urban renewal processes, primarily the treatment of an elderly population and the dilemma of the need to preserve individual buildings or rooms in a space undergoing demolition and reconstruction.

As academic researchers engaged in urban environment, social sustainability, and urban renewal, It is important for us to go out into the field from time to time and meet key players who deal with these issues. We all have a common goal – to learn, research, and act to improve the quality of urban life in Israel.


Visit of representatives of the British Embassy and the British Council in Israel, 5.6.2024

We had the pleasure of hosting senior representatives from the British Embassy and the British Council in Israel at the Open University campus in Ra'anana. As part of the meeting, a round of introductions was held between the participants. Prof. Ofer Riani, Dean of Research, presented the Open University, the research activity and the academic ties with parallel institutions around the world of the university, along with the existing difficulties in light of the current reality. Dr. Or Krasin, the head of the center, presented the center's activities, the diverse studies that are in progress and some of which are even advanced. Dr. Shula Golden presented her joint research with Dr. Or Krasin examining the predictors of satisfaction with the place of residence and the importance of environmental aspects, and the interesting research findings. In the final part of the meeting, a joint tour was held led by Amir Wiener, during which the Shaham Center and the university studios were presented.

View the post on LinkedIn >>



Round table and policy discussion on reducing food waste and circular economy in service organizations in the health sector, 17.4.2024

As part of the event, Dr. Orr Karassin presented the findings of the research conducted jointly with Dr. Tal Golan and Prof. Manoj Dora from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK and funded by the Wohl Clean Growth Alliance. The activity of the Ministry of Health on the subject was presented by Dr. Orit Afomedou Yona - Director of the Department of Nutrition in General Medicine and Health Insurance Funds. The research presented compares the existing policies in Israel and the United Kingdom to regulate the steps in the supply chain of food in hospitals and the way in which the existing policies affect the potential for promoting a circular economy and reducing food loss and waste.

For the contents of the event:

"Cities 2040 - Challenges in Sustainable Urbanism": A conference to mark the launch of the Environmental and Sustainability Research Center, 11.6.2023

The conference opened with opening remarks and acknowledgments that emphasized the importance of research in the fields of urbanism to achieve sustainable development goals, mitigating climate change and promoting environmental quality. Later, there were three fascinating sessions that discussed key challenges affecting the quality of urbanism in Israel, the increasing density, the need to build resilience to climate change and the attack on the independence of local government.

For the contents of the event:

    To download the invitation to the conference >>

    To watch the full recording of the conference >>


Seminar on "Global crisis and municipal solutions: Will cities save us from the climate crisis?", 6.11.2022



To review the contents of the conference:

    To download the invitation to the conference >>

    To watch the full recording of the conference >>

Development and presentation of the center's research

Presentation of the study "Residential Satisfaction: Predictive Factors and the Importance of Environmental Aspects" at the Urban Studies Conference, 29.9.2024

Dr. Orr Karassin and Dr. Shula Goulden were delighted to have the opportunity to participate in the Urban Studies Conference and present the findings of their research examining residential satisfaction as part of a session discussing issues in local governance.

Presentation of the Center's research at the Annual Science and Environment Conference, 25-26.9.2024

The Center's team was delighted to have the opportunity to be a guest at the 52nd Annual Science and Environment Conference of the Israeli Society for Ecology and Environmental Sciences, which was held this year at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The conference spanned two days and included multidisciplinary discussions and debates between researchers, decision-makers, representatives of the business sector and civil society organizations.

During the conference, the center's researchers presented the findings of their diverse research:
  • "How good it is to come home: satisfaction with the place of residence and the importance of environmental aspects", Dr. Shula Goulden.
  • "Is a circular economy possible? The broken economy of hospital food: a comparison between the policies used in the UK and Israel", Dr. Orr Karassin.
  • "The preparedness of local authorities in Arab society for climate extreme events", Dr. Ahmad Higazi.
  • "The "Ecological Alon Plan" - the beginnings of environmental public administration in Israel on the fiftieth anniversary of its establishment", Dr. Benny Furst.
  • "A good demand is a good deliverer: Examining the practical implementation of environmental provisions in development plans", Dr. Benny Furst.

Multi-sectoral Roundtable for Policy Change - Community and Sustainable Urban Renewal, 18.7.2024

We were pleased to host the workshop at the Open University in collaboration with the "Eretz Ir" association. As part of the event, the teams' products on various community environmental topics were presented, such as "Promoting Environmental Aspects of Urban Renewal" and "Promoting Permanent Rental Housing," and a multi-sectoral panel was held on the selected topics.

The event was closed by the research teams that won the readers' votes on behalf of the center, led by Prof. Nurit Alfasi, Prof. Danni Broitman, Prof. Rica Gonen, and Prof. Erel Segal-Halevi, who presented the initial findings of their research to the forum participants.

For the Event Schedule >>

Workshop of researchers for urban renewal studies, 4.6.2024

Israel is facing a tremendous need to initiate urban renewal processes on an unprecedented scale. At least 500,000 housing units in Israel require renovation, and the war adds to the destruction of residential areas that require restoration.

  • Is the strategy of urban renewal in Israel currently based on the demolition of the existing and new construction correct and effective or is it justified to also allow the development of entire complexes and neighborhoods while restoring and densifying the existing - urban renewal without demolition?
  • How do you create a fair and just distribution of apartments in exchange for apartments in eviction and construction projects, to minimize the failure of urban renewal projects? Is it possible to develop an algorithm that will distribute exchange apartments in a way that minimizes jealousy?
  • How can we solve the problem of land depletion and overcrowding through underground construction? What uses is possible from a practical and economically efficient point of view to transfer to the subsoil during construction evacuation processes and the demolition of entire complexes?

These are just some of the questions faced by three research teams chosen by readers' votes of the Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research at the Open University. 

In the workshop held at the center's offices on June 4, 2024, we were pleased to host the research teams to present the first findings of their research in a collegial atmosphere. During the meeting, the researchers with backgrounds from a variety of disciplines gave their factual reference to the studies that were presented and there was a discussion about challenges and thoughts for the rest of the way to the end of the research period.

To View the Event Schedule >>


Workshop of researchers for urban resilience studies, 15.4.2024

In the workshop held at the center's offices on April 15, 2024, we were pleased to host the research teams on urban resilience to present the first findings of their research in a collegial atmosphere. During the meeting, the researchers with backgrounds from a variety of disciplines gave their factual reference to the studies that were presented and there was a discussion about challenges and thoughts for the rest of the way to the end of the research period.

To View the Event Schedule >>





Forum with Environmental Leaders in Local Government (ELLG)

The Center carries out interdisciplinary and innovative research with the aim of providing applied solutions to Israel's urban sustainability challenges. As part of our efforts to formulate a research agenda based on applied needs, we regulary consult with decision makers in the local government and to the transfer and sharing of professional and research knowledge.

The forum is invites senior decision makers working in the environmental interfaces in the local government, for an in-depth discussion of strategic challenges common to local authorities, and to strengthen cooperation with academy.

As part of the forum meetings, lectures on environmental and sustainability issues relevant to local government are given by the center's researchers, and round tables and open discussions are held on the challenges facing local government.

To view the contents of the forum meetings:

      1st Forum Meeting - 23.4.2023

      2nd Forum Meeting - 5.9.2023 

Research Seminars

Regular seminars on urban sustainability issues are given by senior researchers from the Open University and other institutions. Seminars are held mostly in Hebrew, both in person and streamed online. 

You are invited view previous seminars, follow the center's upcoming seminars and register for future events.

Recent Seminars:

27.11.2024 | Urban-Environmental Citizenship| Recorded

Dr. Nir Barak's lecture, on the n the topic of "Urban-Environmental Citizenship"

24.6.2024 | Democratization and community involvement in building a local agenda | Recorded

Dr. Higazy's lecture, on the occasion of the publication of his book: "Democratization and community involvement in building a local agenda"

5.8.2024 | Mapping and analyzing typologies for smart cities | Recorded

Hagar Srulovitch's lecture, on the topic "Mapping and analyzing typologies for smart cities"

14.4.2024 | The rise and fall of the environmental-decentralized concept in urban planning | Recorded

Prof. Tsfadia's lecture, on the topic "The rise and fall of the environmental-decentralized concept in urban planning"

25.3.2024 | Ontologies of pollution - cleaning processes of industrial waste areas in the center of the country | Recorded

Dr. Anzenberg's lecture, on the topic "Ontologies of pollution - cleaning processes of industrial waste areas in the center of the country"

15.2.2024 | Satisfaction with the place of residence: predictive factors and the importance of environmental aspects | Recorded

Dr. Orr Karassin and Dr. Shula Goulden's lecture, on the topic ""How well did you come home? Satisfaction with the place of residence: predictive factors and the importance of environmental aspects".

22.1.2024 | Walkable cities | Recorded

Dr. Yodan Rofe's lecture, on the topic "Walkable cities"

  4.12.2023 | Trust in the Planning Process | Recorded

Dr. Benny First's lecture, on the topic "Nobody is trusted: Is and how can public trust in the planning system be strengthened?"

6.11.2023 | Environmental Behaviors and Attitudes | Recorded

Dr. Shula Golden's lecture, on the topic "What should I do about the climate crisis? A multidisciplinary view of environmental behavior and attitudes"

8.5.2023 | Mathematical and Statistical Methodes in Environmental Studies

Prof. Ofer Levi's lecture, on the topic "Incorporation of advanced mathematical and statistical methods in studies in the field of environment and sustainability"