Click here to see a more detailed
map of the downtownTel Aviv's Urban Structure
Click here to see a more detailed
map of the downtown
The current urban structure of Tel Aviv is laid out much like that of the standard western city. However, the conurbation demonstrates a great deal of urban sprawl. This extended city structure is due to years of residential development outside the metropolitan area. Thus, one of the most identifiable characteristics of Tel Aviv is its cast expanse of residential areas, which become less dense as they become farther away from the central city. The core still has a dense central core, however, with 38.5% of the total population.
The transportation corridors of the city center and outer-ring are arranged to accommodate a large amount of automobile traffic. Since there is no large, general system of public transportation, highways and major roads within the city are necessary. Southern Tel Aviv is confined to the small roads that were part of the original city structure. Only a few of the main corridors around the city center have been widened to accommodate traffic.
The commercial districts of Tel Aviv are concentrated on a few main boulevards running north-south, south of the Yarqon River. Many of the buildings in the main economic squares still maintain the original character they were given in the 1930's. These buildings, such as in Dizengoff Square, house commercial facades on the first storey and apartments on the upper levels. Commercial activity is also based largely in market stands, set up in many of the open areas of the city. Tel Aviv is also known for its night life, which is centered on Allenby and Herzl Streets (near the CBD).
The Central Business District (CBD) itself has expanded from its original location in the southern, central section of the downtown, toward the river. It is now somewhat bounded by these streets: Herzl, Nahlat Binyamin, Allenby, Yavne, Yehuda HaLevy, Lillienblum, Ahad Ha'am and Montefoire. New plans for the city contained ideas of moving the CBD to a more eastern location to open up the water-front for leisure functions.
One notable feature of Tel Aviv is its lack of internal green space. Vegetation is difficult to grow successfully in such a dry climate and the draining of ground water under the city sealed the fate of much of the natural vegetation. Today, there are a few parks set up in the outer ring of the central city, but no green space can be found in the city. Providing more parks and open spaces is one initiative of the Israel 2020 Plan.
However, many of the residential areas of Tel Aviv still maintain their
original plans and thus, their green space. The farther from the central
city each residential area is, t
he more spread out it is and the
more open space it has. Higher-class residential areas are concentrated
in the Northern section of Tel Aviv and in much of the suburbs. Lower-quality
housing can be found in Southern Tel Aviv, the old town, where old buildings
are deteriorating. The Israel 2020 Plan, however,
is encouraging investment in old Tel Aviv to salvage some older architecture
and the character of the old city.
Other sections of the city include a politically concentrated area with many country's embassies and Israeli offices. As well, industry is spread out somewhat across the city, but concentrated on Petah Tiqva Road, which is parallel to the Ayalon River and serves as a major transportation corridor.
Old Jaffa, which was annexed into the Tel Aviv metropolitan area in 1950, stands out in its drastically different architecture and structure. While for many years the area was densely populated residentially, it now serves more commercial functions. In the 1960's, it was independently developed as an artist's quarter and it still maintains much of this character. For tourists, it offers a number of very unique shopping locales and entertainment functions.
The overall character of Tel Aviv is of a secular and modern Mediterranean
Metropolis. The city has an exciting night life and numerous commercial,
economic and political functions.