Particularly disturbing is the state of negligence to old buildings all over Palestine. Valuable historic buildings are being bulldozed or abandoned, and allowed to collapse only to be replaced by new constnuctions that echo no link with the past architectural heritage. Traditional construction methods, building crafts and skills are nearing extinction with the retirement and death of masterbuilders and craftspeople. The rest of the natural environment is also undergoing devastating changes. The beautiful rocky landscape and stone-terraces, typical of Palestinian landscape are being replaced by badly finished concrete buildings.

The establishment of RIWAQ came in response to this in an attempt to confine the damage to both the vemacular architecture and historical buildngs and the unique palestinian landscape. To achieve this end RIWAQ has as its main objective the conservation and restoration of older buildings and the development and promotion of an indigenous Palestinian style of architecture based on firmly rooted building traditions and techniques.

RIWAQ Aims

• The documentation research and analysis of Palestinian vemacular architecture (including peasant, beduin, and urban).
• The revival of traditional building crafts and skills.
• The development of appropriate building technology and materials.
• The organization of short-term training courses and apprenticeship programs, seminars, lectures, and exhibitions.
• The development of a resource library and a visual archive thas is specialized in traditional architecture and crafts.
• The encouragement of public interest in the architectural heritage and material culture of Palestine, raising an awareness to the importance of preserving it.
• The provision of a forum for architects, artists, craftsmen, and other concerned individuals, who through RIWAQ work on issues of common interests.
• The creation of a research exchange network between specialized local establishments and other Arab and international organizations.