Bani Zeid is located 25 km northwest of Ramallah. Historically Bani Zeid was a ‘Throne Village’, a village that served as a sheikhdom with administrative capacity (tax collection) during Ottoman rule. As a Throne Village, Bani Zeid enjoyed certain financial privileges which are now still visible in the Sheikh Saleh Palace and rich architectural historic center.  

In the Regeneration of Historic Centers program, the historic center of Deir Ghassaneh (Bani Zeid) is chosen as a Quick Fruit Project (next to Assira, Deir Istiya, ‘Abud and Bani Na’im) and as a pilot for the seven remaining (and more valuable) localities. Quick Fruit Projects are characterized by their quick return on investment; they are try-outs where a small(er) amount of money is invested and where one can easily and quickly see the output, results and impact. Moreover they provide lessons learnt for the remaining projects in other localities.  

The Center for Cultural Heritage Preservation (Bethlehem) has been contracted to design and technically supervise the implementation of those quick fruit rehabilitation projects. Their work focusses on preserving the authenticity of the building and maintaining the integrity of the urban fabric where it is located, while at the same time transforming it to host socio-economic functions or services. These new functions were defined through a participatory approach and meet the needs of the local community as well as potential local and international visitors.  

The project in Bani Zeid, Deir Ghassaneh, includes the rehabilitation of a traditional abandoned building (Dar Khatab) composed of two floors with a total surface area of 190 m² for the adaptive reuse as a multipurpose building. The main activities, which will be exploited by the local Women Association, include milling, drying and storing of local agricultural products (such as thyme, etc). Therefore, a new mill will be installed in the building. Furthermore, the 210 m² courtyard that connects the traditional building with its surroundings will be rehabilitated.

The proposed project will contain physical restoration of the building including consolidation works, cleaning works, roof isolation works, maintenance of stone tiling, treatment of cracks in the existing walls, pointing, re-plastering and painting of existing walls and ceilings, installation of electrical and mechanical networks and supply of furniture.

The construction works have started at the end of January and should be finished by May 2017. Already during the construction works, the LED expert will work together with the Women Association to raise their business capacities and to develop a sustainable business plan.