The U.S. Institute of Peace and the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace on April 8 opened an exhibit exploring the role of architects and architecture in conflict resolution and held a panel discussion on the issue.

SAYA Co-Founder Yehuda Greenfield-Gilat explains the model of Jerusalem to USIP’s Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen, USIP’s Rachel Brandenburg and S. Daniel Abraham.

Most international conflicts are territorial in nature. Resolutions often call for realignment of boundaries and borders, yet all too often without consideration for the existing environment within that space. To address this challenge, SAYA Design for Change has developed an approach called "Resolution Planning." Designed to reclaim the roles of space and urban planning  in mediating conflict, it focuses on the responsibility of architects to contribute to peace negotiations and sustainable resolutions of conflicts. SAYA's body of work, created in collaboration with Palestinian planners and architects, has created a foundation for realizing a future Israeli-Palestinian peace.

This discussion highlighted SAYA's work within the larger context of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Following the event, SAYA's co-founder, Yehuda Greenfield-Gilat, led a tour of a retrospective of SAYA's work. In explaining the model of Jerusalem, he described how this approach gives Jewish residents a positive vision of a divided Jerusalem, while also offering Palestinian residents a bouquet of urban planning options in order to boost their sense of ownership in the process.

Welcome and Introductory Remarks

Kristin Lord
U.S. Institute of Peace

Robert Wexler
S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace

Panel Discussion

Toni Verstandig, Moderator
S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace

Yehuda Greenfield-Gilat, Discussant
SAYA Design for Change

Nizar Farsakh, Discussant
Project on Middle East Democracy

Tamara Wittes, Discussant
Saban Center, Brookings Institution‎

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