The support of the Munib & Angela Masri Foundation for the Old City Revitalization Program in Nablus, initiated by Taawon, came in response to the severe deterioration of the buildings and landmarks of the historic Old City since 2002 as a result of successive Israeli incursions. These events led to the displacement of many families from their homes and a decline in the Old City’s social and economic role. The support focused on strengthening Taawon’s capacity to manage the program in a sustainable manner, ensuring the protection of architectural and historical heritage and the reactivation of its social and economic role within the city.

The program was launched from Jerusalem before it expanded to include the Old City of Nablus. The program has today become known at the local and international levels as one of the most prominent programs specialized in this field, and it won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in its ninth cycle in 2004 in appreciation of its distinguished impact.

The works in the Old City included several key sites, among them:

• Rehabilitation of the façades and entrances of the Eastern Market
• Restoration of several façades and arches in various areas within the Old City
• Restoration and rehabilitation of the Blacksmiths Market
• Restoration and rehabilitation of Hosh Darwazeh
• The Rehabilitation of al-Jitan Square
• The Rehabilitation of Habaleh Public Space
• The Adaptive Re-use of Al-Nabulsi Building and Courtyard Rehabilitation
• Reconstruction of Al-Shoubi Residential Complex
• Neighbourhood Renewal (Hosh Obaid)

This project is today viewed as an investment in Nablus’s historical identity, as it has contributed to restoring life to its alleys and markets by improving the urban environment, revitalizing commercial activity, and supporting artisans and small projects, within an approach that preserves the authenticity of the place and responds to the needs of the community.