Demolition Archives – Mad-in-Israel

Hi,
While we were on our trip to US, they evacuated a building near our house in Ramat Gan and demolished it. It happens pretty much here as part of TAMA38, but it was a difference case – the building was announced as dangerous building, evacuated from people and was demolished on the same day (with anything inside it).

Israel is about 73 years old. Most of the old buildings in the cities were built not long after Israel was established and was flooded by new immigrates. They were first lived in Ma’abarot, and then moved to Shikun apartments (up to 5 story high buildings, 2 to 3 entrances, with 2 apartments on each entrance, that were built similar to allow fast construction).

Building are designed (according to building codes) to stand for 50 years, and so many buildings in Israel are over their life time. With right maintenance they can hold more, but most of then are poorly maintained. And although the Israeli code demands a 4 years inspection, none are checked to see if it safe the dwell in.

Last week we got what a dangerous building really means – the building was evacuated due to cracks on Sabbath morning. The residents were not allowed to pack and were forced to leave their house immediately. It might have been looked a rush decision. But the building had fall down and collapsed on Sunday morning, about 24 hours later.

Since then the press and the social media are full with buildings that have been declared has dangerous building and have been evacuated by the municipal engineers. I understand them – none wish to be responsible to the life lost when a building collapse. I could not understand before – how could they have taken responsibility for them before. The building in Holon made them realize building do fall down.

It even passed the attention we give to the dangerous Sukot that built this time of year for the holiday.

Take Care

P.S.
Had fun in Spain?