UNESCO declares Tel Aviv a World Heritage Site

Tel Aviv's "White City" is home to 4,000 Bauhaus-style buildings.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declared Tel Aviv a World Heritage Site for its treasure of Bauhaus architecture. Tel Aviv’s so-called White City is home to more buildings in the Bauhaus or Modern Movement style than anywhere in the world.

The city will be inaugurated as a World Heritage Site on June 6, 2004, with a series of festive events over the course of three days marking the declaration and celebrating Bauhaus culture. International dignitaries and leading architects from around the world will be in attendance.

The White City of Tel Aviv includes 4,000 buildings representative of the Modern Movement a synthesis of architectural styles popular in Europe during the early 20th century, heavily influenced by the Bauhaus School of Art and Design. These buildings, built between 1931-1956, were designed by immigrant architects trained in Europe who adapted the Modern style to suit Tel Aviv’s culture and climate.

Mayor of Tel Aviv Ron Huldai said, “In these challenging times, receiving this extraordinary honor from UNESCO not only helps preserve our rich architectural heritage, but also reaffirms Tel Aviv’s place on the map as a choice cultural destination.”

The City of Tel Aviv was founded in 1909, with Jaffa joining the municipality in 1949. The White City was constructed based on an urban plan by Sir Patrick Geddes. Tel Aviv-Yafo is home to 400,000 residents, spread over an area of 50 square kilometers.

The city provides an overall source of employment for 14% of Israel’s workforce. With over 50% of Israel’s jobs in banking and finance, Tel Aviv is the country’s business center, as well as its center for cultural, art, music, dance, theater, fashion and cuisine.

Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on Thursday, May 06, 2004

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