Tel Aviv White City

Tel Aviv White City

Tel Aviv was established in 1909 and gradually developed into a major metropolis under the control of the British Army stationed in Palestine. Between the early 1930s and the 1950s, the White City was built based on the urban planning of Sir Patrick Geddes, reflecting the fundamental principles of modern urban development planning. The buildings were designed by architects who had been trained and apprenticed in Europe, and they created an outstanding collection of "Modern Movement" architecture based on a new cultural concept.

Although these buildings vary in form, they share the same design philosophy—low-rise structures with long, wide balconies and small windows that are both aesthetically pleasing and practical, providing shade and insulation. They are well-suited to Tel Aviv’s Mediterranean climate. Modern-day Tel Aviv is one of the leading international metropolises in the Middle East, where the glow of skyscrapers has long overshadowed the modest buildings of the past. The "White City" now refers to just some ordinary residential homes in the city center. Yet, decades later, it is precisely these unassuming low-rise structures that earned Tel Aviv a UNESCO World Heritage designation. Michael Turner, Chairman of Israel's World Heritage Committee, said, "The White City is indeed only a little over 70 years old, making it one of the youngest heritage sites among the global total of 668. Currently, there are only 15 such modern heritage sites listed."