Resrach Project CITY DESIGN RCA-Material Memories by Kyle Su

Material Memories

Student Name:

Kyle Su, Ruihao Yang

Preface

Based on our research from Term 1, we have developed a nuanced understanding of displacement dynamics, particularly through the lens of building material transitions within the Aqbat Jabr refugee camp. Initially established as a basic temporary tent camp, Aqbat Jabr camp has progressively been forced to transform into a comprehensive community over nearly seventy years. Concurrently, we have examined changes in the local agricultural landscape, with a focus on the impact of Israeli control over irrigation water resources, which has led to severe soil salinity in Palestinian fields This has resulted in the limitation of cultivated crops to date palms

Our shared interest in the temporal aspects influencing the daily lives of Palestinians across various domains has guided our collaborative efforts As architects and city designers, we aim to reimagine the future of agriculture in Jericho by exploring the role of time in shaping these dynamics. Our approach includes conceptualising innovative material memories and spatial designs that reflect the historical narratives and collective memories of the local population. This new material innovation is intended to address the problem of saline-alkali soil effectively, offering a sustainable solution with enduring impacts over time By integrating these considerations, we strive to create interventions that not only respond to current agricultural challenges but also contribute to the long-term revitalization of the agricultural landscape in Jericho

Introduction

This project addresses the profound agricultural struggles encountered in Jericho, where high soil salinity intensified by Israeli control over underground irrigation resources has drastically curtailed local farming practices. The area once celebrated as the "fruit basket" of the West Bank, was historically known for its abundant production of a diverse range of fruits including oranges, grapes, bananas, and figs. However, the ongoing Israeli control and the consequent salinisation of the soil have restricted local agriculture to the cultivation of date palms, significantly diminishing the region's agricultural diversity

Our project seeks to explore innovative ways to revitalise Palestine's local agricultural landscape despite the constraints imposed by Israeli settlement expansion We aim to develop and implement new material memories and strategies to reclaim and restore Palestinian land both physically and symbolically Our focus is on a specific site within the Al-Auja date farm, an area severely affected by high soil salinity Satellite imagery reveals the extent of the degradation, with the site itself and surrounding farmlands showing clear signs of gradual decline.

From the information collected in the previous terms Jericho's intricate subterranean water networks, coupled with its geographical proximity to the Jordan Valley, have facilitated the extensive cultivation of water-intensive crops such as oranges, watermelons, and bananas During the period of Jordanian

governance from 1949 to 1967, Jericho emerged as a flourishing centre of fruit agriculture, characterised by abundant harvests and renowned for its fertile landscape (British Pathé, 1966) However, the situation changed after Israel’s occupation The cultivated land in Jericho faces constrained water availability as a result of the installation of a pumping station by the Israeli water company Mekorot (Amnesty International, 2017) As sewage treatment infrastructures are developed in the vicinity of Jericho to support Israeli settlements, Palestinian agricultural lands are grappling with a water scarcity crisis and the consequential loss of arable terrain (UNEP, 2020).

The Israeli wastewater treatment plant ש"טמ גוא is supporting the date farms of 2 Israeli settlements around Jericho (one is Kayla located south of Jericho, and the other one is Na’omi located north of Jericho) This wastewater treatment plant is about 3 kilometres away from Jericho, however, it serves wastewater from the eastern part of Jerusalem as well as other smaller municipalities and communities with a population equivalent of 150,000 (Mekorot, 2019) It is considered a project for recovering the seasonal river Nahal Kidron from water pollution Underground pipes with an aggregate length of about 40 km will be laid from Jerusalem to the sewage treatment plant, next to the Dead Sea ( תונורתפ ,2022 םיינכטואיגהסדנהל ). The route also passes through the territory of the Palestinian Authority (which is controlling Area A), and it was agreed by the Palestinian Authorities. In the latter plan, the system expands to the northern part of the West Bank, supporting the date agriculture in different Israeli settlements along the Jordan River. However, even though the gravity pipe goes through Jericho, it has no contribution to dealing with the sewage in Jericho In contrast, illegal Israeli settlement agriculture competes with Jericho agriculture through the irrigation of date farms in Kylak and Na’omi Al-Auja is one of the villages most affected by agricultural constraints (Ibrahim, n d )

To address these issues, we propose the creation of a defensive system utilising innovative materials designed to combat the extreme salinity affecting the land. This system is intended to offer a sustainable solution for mitigating soil salinization and improving land fertility. By leveraging new materials that can

interact with and potentially neutralise the adverse effects of high salinity, we aim to enhance the soil's capacity to support a wider variety of crops

The core objective of this project is to restore agricultural vitality in Palestine despite the limitations imposed by Israeli constraints We seek to repair and rejuvenate the local ecosystem, with the hope of reviving the agricultural diversity that once characterised the region. By focusing on both physical and symbolic reclamation, our approach aims to foster a renewed sense of agricultural potential and resilience. Ultimately, this project aspires to contribute to the long-term revitalization of Palestinian agriculture. Through innovative material development and strategic interventions, we aim to provide practical solutions that address the current challenges while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and diverse agricultural future in Jericho Our efforts are designed not only to address immediate issues but also to create lasting impacts that can support the broader goals of agricultural recovery and land reclamation in the region

Literature Review

It is not difficult to find that radical urban studies such as Archigram's Walking City, Plug-in City, or Superstudio’s The Continuous Monument are full of political exploration and innovation Faced with such a complex fusion of cities, a limited understanding of city design or a single architectural concept can no longer solve various struggles in the city. We no longer regard city design as an independent entity, but instead combine cultural criticism, social justice, and political reform to address the urban issues we need to address. In our project, we used the placemaking process to transform our identity from a designer to an enabler, providing new support for the entire community's farmland, better revealing the local land environment, and ultimately achieving the goal of reclaiming land for the local people

The historical Royal Garden at Herod’s Third Palace in Jericho serves as a precedent for controlling local water and soil resources through the concept of an enclosed garden Surrounded by a colonnade, the garden utilized channels to direct water into the central fields to nourish crops1 . Although the Royal Garden did not explicitly symbolize a political claim to territory, it inevitably became a testament to land sovereignty. The Material Memories project draws upon the historical reference of Herod’s Third Palace,

1 roman-gardens (n d ) Jericho Herodian Third Palace Corinthian Peristyle - Gardens of the Roman Empire. [online] Available at: https://roman-gardens.github.io/province/judaea/jericho/herodian third palace corinthian peristyle/.

Enclosed Garden

The enclosed garden is introduced from the books, Gardening at Night, and Captured Landscape, as a territorial defence system for the local Palestinians to claim their agricultural sovereignty Both reading materials, "Gardening at Night" and "Captured Landscape: Architecture and the Enclosed Garden," present the concept of using enclosed gardens as a means of claiming territory Three key points about enclosed gardens are concluded as follows:

1. "Plant species transformation signifies authority and order within enclosed gardens"(Gardening at Night, 2018, p. 5).

2 "Channelling water into a barren landscape serves as a supreme symbol of sovereign power"(Gardening at Night, 2018, p 4)

3 "The boundaries of enclosed gardens are not necessarily defined by the external walls of a building but by their relationship to the surrounding architecture"(Captured Landscape, 2018, p 187).

For the first point, we aim to revive the multicultural heritage of Jericho's cultivated land, serving both as an archive of its agricultural memories and as a defensive system for the local agricultural territory The biodiversity of the field ecosystem has been an important collective memory for Palestinians in Jericho It should be recovered in an enclosed garden as a memorial symbol Transforming the date monoculture into a diverse fruit culture is a way to signify Palestinian authority on the site

For the second point, Water is a fundamental element for agriculture, and the ability to control it signifies power over cultivated land Therefore, this project should incorporate a unique water storage system distinct from Israel’s invasive water infrastructure, which disrupts water supply in other communities

The third point emphasises the relationship between the enclosed garden and its surroundings The walls do not solely define an enclosed garden because it impacts its context both politically and environmentally. When applied to creating an enclosed garden in Al-Auja Village, the project is expected to support the local communities, desalinate the soil, and diversify the surrounding fields.

Engagement Strategy

In our pursuit of discovering novel materials, we have embarked on an exhaustive experimental process marked by the creation of physical prototypes. This process is methodically segmented into three pivotal stages: plaster remix, digestion test, and structural evaluation. Every phase is meticulously crafted to assess the adaptability and utility of these innovative materials across varied contexts.

The primary goal of the plaster remix stage is to examine how combining various local materials such as fruit fibres, desert sands, and Dead Sea salts with plaster affects the final composition This phase aims to determine the best mixing ratios and develop unique surface textures after blending

- The inaugural set of materials primarily features a diverse array of fruits, including oranges, bananas, papayas, and apples, complemented by modest quantities of soil and sand. This assortment symbolises the era before 1967, during which Jericho was recognized as a sovereign entity, boasting bountiful fruit yields and rich, fertile lands. As a city famed for its utilisation of an ancient aqueduct system to cultivate water-intensive fruits, Jericho has historically been esteemed as a paradisiacal haven by the Palestinian people “Bringing water to an inhospitable place was in itself the utmost representation of sovereign power," with the presence of a wide variety of crops underscoring a capacity for embracing "diversity" as a reflection of rights and governance ("Gardening at Night", 2018, p 5)

- In the second set, the first group of fruits is replaced by dates and salt The salt symbolises the increasing soil salinity under the monopoly of the Israeli water company Mekorot, highlighting the significant challenges faced by local agriculture Dates represent the shift in Al-Auja village’s agriculture from polyculture to monoculture in response to the salinized soil conditions This transformation records the impact of Israeli settlements on Palestinian agriculture within the material itself, encapsulating the broader narrative of agricultural oppression and environmental degradation (Trottier, 2019).

The third set transforms the poetic and abstract concepts of the previous sets into practical functionality We approached the material samples like a scientific experiment, dividing them into different structural and material test groups for comparison over time Initially, we hollowed out samples from the first two sets, testing the decomposition rates of materials with varying structural densities in natural environments Considering the Jordan Valley’s wet rainy season, we incorporated increased humidity into our experimental conditions

However, due to the high curing degree of gypsum, the materials did not decompose into the soil as anticipated. This outcome prompted us to adopt a more temporary method of integrating soil and gypsum, requiring a more specific approach tailored to the site's soil conditions. The experiment's findings guide us toward a solution that better aligns with the environmental realities of the region

Moving on to the soil analysis stage, we conduct prolonged observations to document how the materials interact with real soil conditions We focus on understanding the resilience and permeability of the

materials as they undergo decomposition in natural environments We aim to identify the most suitable conditions for the material's natural digestion Mud brick, a traditional and widely used building material in the region, plays a significant role in local architecture (Hussain, 2020) Drawing on this tradition, we propose using local soil as a primary building material, incorporating gypsum powder to naturally mitigate soil salinity in wall structures By utilising rammed earth, a low-tech material, local farmers can efficiently construct these walls, leveraging their existing expertise with mud brick Compared to solid gypsum, the more organic composition of rammed earth is highly compatible with non-plant organisms, fostering an environment conducive to restoring local biodiversity. Additionally, rammed earth walls are subject to erosion by rainwater and are expected to gradually integrate with the natural landscape over time. This process will eventually return the enclosed garden a living archive to nature, blending seamlessly with the environment and enhancing its ecological diversity

Design Strategy

In our architectural concept, we utilised our improved rammed earth to conceive an infrastructure and safeguard local farmers' agricultural domains. Our attempts involve crafting a protective structure that not only resonates with the spiritual essence of Palestinians but also holds the potential to ameliorate soil conditions through the integration of our novel material

Our concept encompasses the holistic design and implementation of a defence system that not only shields local farmers and their agricultural endeavours but also embodies cultural significance and environmental sustainability Through the assimilation of our innovative material into the structure, we aspire to initiate a process of symbiosis wherein the defence system actively contributes to the enhancement of soil quality.

Desalinate the soil

we’re engaged with soil problems so we chose Rammed Earth as our main architectural material to build a series of walls We will dig out the earth on the site, mix it with plaster powder, then ram it into a wall and bury a part of it into the land So the wall becomes not only an architectural element but also a part of the solution of high salinity. the reason we use a lot of zig-zag walls is that we hope to increase the contact area between the wall and soil underground to increase desalination efficiency

Repair biodiversity and ecosystem

We set up a timeline for salinity management and repairing biodiversity and ecosystems During the repair process, we’ll introduce the shade net to create a gathering space as a community social area and a shady area for growing daily vegetables for local Palestinian

Occupying 10,000 square metres of dry, high-salinity barren land, the design horizontally covers the soil to create a specific area for enhancing soil quality.

Stage I

Initially, the soil is excavated and used as a raw material for rammed earth construction, establishing a hierarchy of ground heights Plaster powder is added to the soil as an amendment The foundation of the rammed earth wall extends 750mm underground to maximise the contact surface with the soil

Stage II

After three months, once the rammed earth walls are constructed, saltbush and date palms will be planted on the site as biotic methods to reduce soil salinity. Approximately two years later, the soil salinity will be suitable for species such as olive and fig These plants will be introduced in specific areas, replacing some of the saltbush, which can be repurposed for glass making The lowest areas are designed to collect sufficient water to create shallow water reserves for future use

Stage III

After an additional one and a half years, the soil salinity will be low enough to support grapefruits, watermelon, and orange cultivation. Concurrently, canopies made from local wooden structures will be set up to prevent water loss. The concept of a vertical garden will be applied to the rammed earth walls to create additional space for vegetation Beehives and insect hotels will be introduced to attract insects, aiding plant reproduction

Ultimately, approximately five years after the construction of the rammed earth walls, all planned species will be established on site, forming a complete ecosystem However, as an enclosed garden, ongoing maintenance by the local community will be essential for its sustained health and vitality.

The site plan for the project's third phase incorporates rammed earth walls, diverse crops, gardens, guardian houses, and canopies To ensure a rational distribution of the underground root system and prevent nutrient competition, various crops are positioned in distinct areas. For instance, the primary root

systems of date palms are significantly deeper than those of local herbaceous plants By distributing the date palms across expansive gardens and open spaces, they can better integrate with other crops Unlike the regimented grid arrangement of date palm fields typical of Israeli agricultural colonisation, the dispersed planting of date palms alongside diverse shrubs aligns more naturally with the local landscape and enhances species survival with minimal human intervention2

The canopies, while providing shade for people, play a crucial role in protecting fruits such as bananas and tomatoes from water evaporation and sun exposure during the dry season Unlike modern Israeli farmland, these canopies are not fully enclosed This openness creates habitats for native insects and birds, facilitating plant pollination and contributing to broader biodiversity From an aerial perspective, the canopies delineate different areas, serving as part of the enclosed garden's separation from the surrounding environment

The two guardian houses in the project draw inspiration from the Al-Mintar structures commonly found in the West Bank of Palestine. Traditionally, these structures are positioned on elevated terrain, serving as temporary shelters for overseeing agricultural fields and storing crops and tools during the harvest season (Birzeit University, 2019) In the Material Memories project, the guardian houses transition from their original stone construction to rammed earth, a material more suitable for the local environment, while

2 wwwfaoorg (nd) Date palm products Introduction [online]Availableat: https://wwwfaoorg/4/t0681E/t0681e02htm#:~:text=Five%20main%20stages%20in%20the [Accessed18Jul 2024]

retaining their essential functions Situated at the highest points of the site, formed through soil excavation, and featuring semi-open walls, these guardian houses provide observers with expansive views of the surrounding landscape Additionally, their strategic locations adjacent to two main roads facilitate their role as transit points for transporting harvested crops To maintain a cohesive design language with the surrounding canopies, the roofs of the guardian houses are constructed from cost-effective corrugated steel As central structures within the project, the guardian houses become more efficient site protectors within the local political context. Similar to the viewing platforms in the enclosed garden that reinforce territorial rights, the guardian houses are key components of this defence system.

The final site plan conveys the anticipated outcomes of the project's ultimate phase: a complete enclosed garden maintained by local farmers, where rich biodiversity begins to counteract the monocultural agricultural colonisation of date palm fields Just as the enclosed garden no longer requires physical walls, altering its relationship with the environment enables the local population to reclaim their land. The Material Memories project aims to transform the current monocultural political landscape, dominated by Israeli colonisation, by restoring native species diversity. This initiative resonates with the efforts of Palestinian artist Vivien Sansour, who established the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library, a living archive that narrates the cultural stories of Palestinians through biological heritage By evoking historical planting memories, the project also stands as a resistance to the future expansion of Israeli settlements

Representation

The representation of architectural and design concepts significantly influences how they are perceived and understood. For our project, which integrates academic research with practical solutions aimed at

repairing Palestinian farmland, we have embarked on a comprehensive exploration of materials and construction techniques Our research is not purely theoretical; it directly informs a practical approach designed to address the real-world challenges faced by local farmers The project employs a low-tech construction method specifically adapted to local conditions, ensuring that solutions are both straightforward and accessible for farmers to implement independently

Given the project's emphasis on materials and construction techniques, it became evident that a physical model would be the most effective means of representation. A physical model allows us to present our findings in a tangible form, making the abstract concepts more accessible and understandable. The decision to use a physical model as our primary representation method was guided by several key considerations, drawing on successful examples from architectural practice and exhibition design

One influential reference is Peter Zumthor’s use of physical models to convey the essence and context of his designs. Zumthor’s approach demonstrates how a well-crafted model can offer a rich, sensory experience that enhances the viewer's understanding of the project. Similarly, our goal with the physical model is to provide an immersive, tactile experience that communicates the core ideas and contextual relevance of our design By constructing a 1:2 scale model of a new rammed earth wall, we aim to showcase the material’s texture, structural details, and interaction with the surrounding environment This model serves as a direct representation of our design’s practical implications and construction techniques

The choice of scale is significant in our models The 1:2 scale allows us to highlight intricate details and demonstrate how the rammed earth wall integrates with underground soil and plant roots This scale is large enough to provide a clear view of the material’s properties and construction methods while still being manageable for exhibition purposes Visitors can engage with the model by touching and examining its texture, which helps them build a sensory connection with the project and better appreciate the design’s practical applications. In addition to the 1:2 scale model, we created two 1:50 site models for the exhibition. These models provide a broader view of the project’s context, illustrating how the design interacts with the site’s landscape. The 1:50 scale is particularly useful for showcasing the relationship between the rammed earth wall, the underground soil, and the plant roots This scale allows us to present detailed sectional views and structural elements, offering a comprehensive understanding of the design’s integration with its environment The 1:50 models also emphasize the impact of our design on the local agricultural context By enabling viewers to interact with the models, we help them understand how the design addresses key challenges, such as soil salinity and land reclamation The tactile experience provided by the models is crucial for conveying the agricultural atmosphere of Jericho and demonstrating how our approach can revitalize the region’s farmland.

Overall, the physical models serve as powerful storytelling tools, bridging the gap between conceptual ideas and their physical realization They offer a concrete representation of how new materials and

construction techniques interact with the soil and plant roots, providing a deeper insight into the project's objectives and potential outcomes The models are not just visual aids; they are integral to conveying the narrative of our design and its relationship to the site By allowing visitors to engage directly with the models, we facilitate a more intuitive and meaningful understanding of the project’s impact and significance

Conclusion

The project "Material Memories" significantly influences geography, social justice, and design within the Palestinian context, extending its impact well beyond the use of various media for representation By addressing the intricate issues faced by Jericho and the broader West Bank, this project demonstrates a practical and thoughtful approach to these complex challenges.

Geographical Contributions

From a geographical perspective, "Material Memories" plays a crucial role in bridging a notable gap in the current understanding of Jericho Despite extensive surveys covering groundwater transportation, agricultural product distribution, and soil quality, the existing literature on Jericho is lacking when compared to global standards. This deficiency has historically hindered designers from fully grasping the site’s unique geographical characteristics and challenges.

By producing detailed architectural site drawings and recontextualizing existing data, the project enriches the geographical archives related to Jericho. These comprehensive analyses provide future designers with a more nuanced understanding of the area’s conditions, helping them to develop better-informed and context-sensitive solutions. This improved geographical knowledge supports the creation of innovative designs that are more attuned to the specific needs and opportunities in Jericho, ultimately leading to more effective and sustainable outcomes

Social Justice Focus

In terms of social justice, "Material Memories" addresses several critical issues impacting agriculture in Jericho and the West Bank. One major issue highlighted by the project is soil salinization, which has severely limited the region's agricultural diversity. This problem is compounded by the encroachment of Jericho’s farmland by Israeli settlements, which exacerbates resource scarcity and undermines local farming practices

The project brings these pressing issues into the spotlight, offering a platform to discuss the socio-political implications of agricultural practices under occupation By focusing on these challenges, "Material Memories" aims to raise awareness about the struggles faced by local communities who contend with limited resources and restrictive conditions The project's emphasis on these issues helps to amplify the voices of those affected and contributes to a broader discourse on how design and architecture can address and potentially mitigate these socio-political challenges

Furthermore, "Material Memories" seeks to democratize the design and construction process It aims to simplify the construction of agricultural installations so that local farmers can implement the solutions themselves This approach empowers farmers by providing them with practical tools and knowledge, thereby promoting self-reliance and sustainability. By engaging local communities in the design and

construction process, the project fosters a sense of ownership and encourages more sustainable practices that can be adapted to local conditions

Present and Long-Term Impact

At present, "Material Memories" provides immediate benefits by enhancing geographical knowledge and increasing awareness of agricultural challenges in Jericho. It offers practical solutions to mitigate soil salinization, which is a pressing issue for local agriculture These solutions are designed to be actionable, equipping local farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to adopt sustainable practices

Over the long term, the project has the potential to foster resilience and innovation within the Palestinian agricultural sector By addressing immediate challenges and promoting local involvement, "Material Memories" supports a shift toward more sustainable and self-sufficient agricultural practices This shift not only helps local communities adapt to ongoing difficulties but also serves as a model for similar initiatives in other regions facing comparable issues

The project's emphasis on local materials and low-tech construction methods aligns with its broader goal of building resilience While these methods may not address all aspects of modern agricultural technology, they offer practical solutions that can be adapted to the constraints of the region The project’s approach also inspires similar efforts elsewhere, demonstrating how locally-driven, low-tech solutions can address complex challenges in resource-constrained environments.

Limitations and Challenges

Despite its achievements, "Material Memories" faces significant limitations One major challenge is the inherent scarcity of resources in Jericho, which constrains the scale and impact of the project’s interventions Although the project provides useful strategic frameworks and simplified construction methods, it cannot fully overcome the broader political and economic pressures affecting the region.

The focus on local materials and low-tech methods, while practical, may not address all the complexities associated with modern agricultural technology and infrastructure This limitation highlights the need for continued research and innovation to complement the project’s efforts and address the full range of challenges faced by the agricultural sector in Jericho and beyond.

Historical, Theoretical, and Political Context

"Material Memories" situates itself within the broader context of City Design by engaging with historical, theoretical, and political dimensions of urban and agricultural planning Historically, the project contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of Jericho’s agricultural heritage and the current challenges faced by the region. It fills gaps in existing literature and provides new perspectives for future research and design, helping to contextualize the historical evolution of the site and its contemporary issues.

Theoretically, "Material Memories" builds on principles of social justice and sustainability. It offers insights into how design can address political and environmental challenges, emphasizing the intersection of design, agriculture, and social justice. These theoretical contributions are essential for developing approaches that are both contextually relevant and socially responsible, fostering a deeper understanding of how design can contribute to meaningful change

Politically, the project engages with the dynamics of Israeli settlement expansion and its impact on Palestinian agriculture By addressing these political challenges, "Material Memories" supports a narrative of resistance rooted in agricultural resilience and innovation It provides strategic frameworks that empower Palestinians to counteract the effects of occupation, highlighting the role of design in supporting social justice and sustainability

In conclusion, "Material Memories" offers valuable contributions to the fields of geography, social justice, and design. It provides renewed strategic frameworks for addressing the challenges posed by Israeli settlement expansion and contributes to a resistance narrative grounded in agricultural resilience and innovation Through its focus on local materials, low-tech solutions, and community involvement, the project demonstrates how design can address complex challenges and support meaningful change in resource-constrained environments These insights furnish the Palestinian populace with renewed strategic frameworks to counteract the oppressive dynamics of Israeli settlement expansion, thereby underlining the project's contribution to a resistance narrative grounded in agricultural resilience and innovation

Reference

Amnesty International, (2009) TROUBLED WATERS – PALESTINIANS DENIED FAIR ACCESS TO WATER [online] Available at: https://wwweuroparl europa eu/meetdocs/2009 2014/documents/dplc/dv/dplc20091110amnesty /dp lc20091110amnesty en pdf [Accessed 28 Feb 2024]

Anon, (2019).

[online] Available at: https://www.health.gov.il/Subjects/Environmental Health/Reclaimed Water/exception/Documents/O G ayalon 122019.pdf.

Atmos (2018) Palestine’s Seeds in Diaspora [online] Available at: https://atmos earth/palestines-seeds-in-diaspora/#:~:text=Vivien%20Sansour%2C%20the%20Palestinia n%20artist [Accessed 18 Jul 2024]

Birzeit University ed , (2019) Al-Mintar: Agricultural Watchtowers in the Mountains of Palestine [online] Available at: https://wwwbirzeit edu/en/node/40212

Environment, UN (2020) State of Environment and Outlook Report for the occupied Palestinian territory 2020 [online] UNEP - UN Environment Programme Available at: https://wwwunep org/resources/report/state-environment-and-outlook-report-occupied-palestinian-terr itory-2020.

Ghanem, M., de la Hera-Portillo, Á., Mohammad, A.H., Laftouhi, N.-E., Chulli, B. and Abdel-Gawad, F.K. (2022). The Geodiversity of Springs in the Potential Jericho Geopark/Palestine. Resources, [online] 11(12), p 110 doi:https://doi org/10 3390/resources11120110

Hussain, M. (2020). Mudbrick Construction in Jordan Valley through Ages Ethnoarchaeological Study. [online] Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344072655 Mudbrick Construction in Jordan Valley throu gh Ages Ethnoarchaeological Study.

Ibrahim, A (n d ) Palestinians in Jordan Valley: “Our lands are already annexed ” Wwwaljazeera com https://wwwaljazeera com/news/2019/9/12/palestinians-in-jordan-valley-our-lands-are-already-annexed

Ibn al-Quds (2007) Al-Auja - al-’Auja - Jericho - Palestine Remembered [online] Available at: https://wwwpalestineremembered com/GeoPoints/al Auja 993/Article 1995 html

Khammash, A and November 2003, TJTW - (n d ) Life in Mud [online] wwwkhammash com Available at: https://wwwkhammash com/research/life-mud#:~:text=In%20the%20traditional%20architecture%20o f [Accessed 19 Jul 2024]

Roman-gardens. (n.d.). Jericho Herodian Third Palace Corinthian Peristyle - Gardens of the Roman Empire. [online] Available at: https://roman-gardens github io/province/judaea/jericho/herodian third palace corinthian peristyle/ [Accessed 20 Jul 2024]

Securing Water for Development in West Bank and Gaza (n d ) Available at: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/736571530044615402/Securing-water-for-development-i n-West-Bank-and-Gaza-sector-note.pdf.

Trottier, J., Leblond, N. and Garb, Y. (2019). The political role of date palm trees in the Jordan Valley: The transformation of Palestinian land and water tenure in agriculture made invisible by epistemic violence Environment and planning E, Nature and space, 3(1), pp 114–140 doi:https://doi org/10 1177/2514848619876546

United Nation (1949) General Armistice Agreement between the Hashemite Jordan Kingdom and Israel

Available at:

https://web.archive.org/web/20110514030830/http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/F03D55E48F7 7AB698525643B00608D34