34. Applied Research Institute Jerusalem. Environmental Profile for the West Bank Volume 6: Jerusalem District. Jerusalem: ARIJ, 1996.

Environmental profiles are important for assessing the sustainability of existing and future planned development projects. Despite its historical, religious, and political importance, as of yet, no work has been conducted to evaluate the environmental status of the Jerusalem district. This profile addresses primary environmental components such as air quality, climate, water resources, soil, land use, agriculture, noise, solid waste and waste-water. A major portion of information and data in the report is based on primary field research, investigations and personal interviews conducted by field workers. The report provides a historical, geopolitical, demographic and socioeconomic overview of the city. With respect to infrastructure and services, the deliberate neglect of the Jerusalem municipality in approving planning schemes for Palestinian areas since 1967 has hindered any serious development in infrastructure and has contributed to the overcrowding in the city. However, health services in Jerusalem are well developed relative to other districts in the West Bank, with seven major hospitals and 37 medical facilities, including primary health care clinics and drug rehabilitation centers. The report summarizes topographic and climatic characteristics of the Jerusalem district. Data on agriculture within the Jerusalem boundaries is not available. However, olive trees are the dominant crops in the Jerusalem district and they are mainly planted on terraced mountain slopes and hilly areas. Also included in the report is a description of land use by Palestinians, Israeli settlers and the military, as well as the geology and water resources in the district. While actual data on Jerusalem water quality are not available, groundwater quality maps were prepared by the Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem, based on a comprehensive sampling procedure. The report provides a review of solid waste and wastewater disposal systems in the district and the environmental impacts of these systems. It finally concludes with an overview of historical and archaeological sites in the Jerusalem district.