The Desert Gate

The 'Desert Gate' backbone project extends between the main entrance to the Mitzpe Ramon from Highway 40, along Ben Gurion Blvd. and leads up to the entrance to the desert at the end of the boulevard, which connects the settlement to the desert to its west and to the 'Desert Language' tourism-agricultural farm project. The project creates a strategic change in the space, connecting central and public nodes in the town, new and existing, and brings a fresh breath into the old urban fabric. A contemporary, local and desert spirit area that connects the urban fabric with open arid landscape.
The development of Ben Gurion Blvd., as part of the development of bicycle paths on the street, provides a response to local needs, connecting public and commercial urban hubs and strengthens the settlement's connection to the immediate and accessible desert areas on the west side of Mitzpe Ramon. In this way, it becomes a significant urban backbone that weaves around it many functions that open up to it.
The development of the western entrance itself, 'Zohar LaMerhav', utilizes and rehabilitates an area damaged by many years of dumping excess dirt into the Wadi, between the outskirts of the settlement and a planted grove. The development creates walking connectivity as well as places for the activities of the local community, tourists and visitors. The upper activity center offers a shaded activity space, overlooking Mount Camel. An activity center in the grove encourages visitors and locals to go out on the desert trails, by providing information and by creating curiosity to trace the activity of animals in the desert space.