
Jordan Canal, Hula Valley
The Hula Valley has undergone dramatic transformations over time – from ancient geological processes, through the draining of the swamps in the 20th century, to today’s ecological and landscape renewal. After the disappearance of the lake and the conversion of wetlands into farmland, it became clear that a new balance was needed between agriculture and the preservation of unique natural systems. Out of this challenge emerged two major projects: the Hula Lake (Agamon HaHula) and the Canal Park.
Hula Lake, originally created as part of peatland rehabilitation, has become one of Israel’s most prominent nature and tourism destinations. The re-flooding of the land established a rich habitat for migratory birds and wildlife, attracting large numbers of visitors. A new master plan now aims to strengthen the site’s ecological values, restore the missing wetland landscapes, and adapt the area to its vast scale and growing tourism demand.
In parallel, the Canal Park was born from an entirely man-made landscape – the system of canals built during the drainage works. Today, they form a recreational and leisure space that offers rare access to water in the Galilee. Together, the two projects create a unique continuum of nature, agriculture, and tourism. They embody a vision for the Hula Valley as an integrated territory of ecology, leisure, and regional economic renewal.

Team: Benny Barzilai, Shiri Yarkoni, Shaked Gil
Ecology: Didi Kaplan
Masterplan: Lygm
Client: KK”L, Kinneret Drainage and Streams Authority
In development

