Walking—this fundamental action we perform as users of public space, has been marginalized in urban planning over recent decades. A brief stroll in one's immediate surroundings reveals that pedestrians are often overlooked in urban planning. This oversight is so severe and absurd that the term "walkability" had to be coined to remind planners to consider this essential aspect in project design, rather than something that will materialize on its own.

This issue isn't unique to any specific geographical area in Israel. In fact, it's a central topic in contemporary urban planning discourse worldwide. However, this project focuses on Tel Aviv's urban space, where the municipality is attempting to prioritize pedestrians.

The project addresses a key problem: the lack of connection in urban built environments from the pedestrian's perspective. This manifests in reduced accessibility and interaction among pedestrians and with their physical surroundings, due to fragmented walking infrastructure. The project explores how to reintegrate pedestrians into the urban fabric, especially in areas with low human activity, due to dominant vehicular traffic.

The solution involves a fundamental shift in current planning approaches and a unique interpretation of the boulevard concept. The project aims to isolate the act of walking, create spatial autonomy for it, and place it at the center of planning, contrary to the current approach of planning – first creating the built spaces and then the open spaces.

The chosen site for intervention is a section of Har Zion Boulevard in Tel Aviv. Currently a major traffic artery, it was once partially an urban boulevard before being demolished to widen the access road to the new central bus station. Despite its central location in residents' perception, it's absent from most people's walking routes. Furthermore, significant changes are expected in the coming years with the introduction of light rail and the construction of the first elevated station of the green line south of Rokach Boulevard (Shapira Station). Despite this, there are still no comprehensive plans for area renewal focused on pedestrians.

The intervention strategy includes rethinking the concept of a boulevard and the act of walking. It proposes underground walking spaces where the light rail was supposed to pass, as well as at different levels, to allow for diverse walking routes and experiences. This underground space requires special attention to natural elements like light and ventilation. The conceptual design focuses on natural light entry as the leading element, shaping the incisions at street level above the underground boulevard.