Jerusalem – On Monday, 9 March 2026, the specialized training course titled “Emergency Recovery and Management of Cultural Heritage Sites for Engineers and Site Managers in Gaza” was launched online via Zoom, with Engineer Ayman Abu Shaaban delivering the first session of the program. The course brings together 24 participants, including engineers and site managers from within Gaza and from the Gazan professional community residing outside the Strip.
During the session, Eng. Abu Shaaban presented an overview of the historical development of Gaza City and the challenges it has faced over time. He discussed the urban and cultural context of the city, as well as the plans previously developed by the Gaza Municipality to revitalize the Old City prior to the war. The session also addressed current emergency recovery and reconstruction planning efforts, while the first unit of the course will further explore case studies and projects related to the restoration of historic sites in Gaza’s Old City.
This specialized training course is part of the ongoing efforts of Taawon (Welfare Association) through its Old Cities Revitalization Program to respond to the urgent need for capacity building among engineering and technical professionals working in the Gaza Strip, particularly in light of the extensive damage sustained by historic buildings and the urban fabric of the city.
The course aims to equip engineers and site managers with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to emergency interventions, damage assessment, rescue and stabilization operations, and post-crisis reconstruction planning in ways that safeguard the historical and cultural value of heritage sites. The training adopts a comprehensive methodology combining theoretical lectures, real case studies, and practical applications, delivered with the participation of local and international experts, thereby strengthening participants’ professional readiness to address heritage conservation challenges in post-disaster and conflict contexts.
