Like Israel’s pioneers, the IDF is making the desert bloom. In just a few months, the IDF will make a massive transition to the Negev region, where its presence will expand local communities.
The
IDF is nearing the end of its planning stages for a major move to the
Negev desert. The transition, which is to include the construction of a
large cluster of training bases, is to begin soon. Data has been
released showing the significant benefits the IDF's move will have for
Israel’s society and economy, especially in southern areas.
Lt. Col. Shalom Alfassy, a leader in the IDF’s effort to move training bases to the Negev,
discussed the transition in an interview with the IDF Blog. “The
project has several objectives, including societal and civilian
objectives aimed at strengthening the Negev,” he explained. “This is
true across the board –from employment to housing to education.”
Lt.
Col. Alfassy described the magnitude of the project’s anticipated
influence on surrounding areas. “We are establishing an anchor in the
Negev,” he said. “It has civilian, social and environmental implications
for all of the surrounding areas.”
The
transition is also expected to improve the quality of IDF training.
According to Lt. Col. Alfassy, the new training bases will be equipped
with advanced facilities and cutting-edge technology designed to enhance
the preparation of soldiers for their roles in the IDF.
“There
will be new infrastructure, new classrooms and a better training
environment,” he explained, describing new high-tech “smart classrooms”
that will vastly improve the learning experiences of soldiers. The
facilities will feature advanced screens, computers to allow for
independent learning and a sophisticated electronic library that will
enable soldiers to download lessons and review them.
Using Green Technology
The IDF will construct the new facilities using the principles of ecological design, creating structures that conserve energy and reduce waste.
“The facilities are built in such a way that they are self-sustaining,”
Alfassy explained. “This includes the use of solar energy for heating
water and of construction materials that allow the buildings to consume
as little energy as possible. The buildings are insulated in such a way
that one can use air conditioning for a limited period of time, allowing
the rooms to cool themselves naturally.”
According
to Lt. Col. Alfassy, the new facilities adhere to higher environmental
standards than most existing IDF infrastructure, leading the way for
similar construction in the future.
Investing in the Negev
The
IDF’s southward transition has been described as "the locomotive behind
an economic, social and national revolution" by the Financial Advisor
to the Chief of Staff.
The
south is preparing to absorb large numbers of professional soldiers and
civilian IDF employees, alongside the regular soldiers who will serve
in the region. According to Lt. Col. Alfassy, the transition will lead
to a significant increase in IDF human resources, attracting large
numbers of IDF civilian staff who will come to live and work in the
area.
The
IDF will also bring advanced educational infrastructure and development
to the south, resulting in a stronger system of higher education in the
Negev.
As
a part of the transition to the Negev, the IDF will provide grants and
housing support to families moving to the south. The Financial Advisor
to the Chief of Staff estimates that 40% of those moving will be
married, while 33% will have children. Roughly 60% of new residents are
between the ages of 22 and 30.
Moreover,
data shows that approximately 63% of those intending to move to the
Negev live in Tel Aviv and central Israel, with the same percentage
possessing undergraduate or graduate degrees.
The
IDF believes the transition will also increase the size of the student
population and result in improvements in public transportation. A
developed road and rail network is in the works to facilitate mobility
for the new residents. These improvements will come with a more
developed healthcare infrastructure that will help promote advanced
medical studies.
In
addition, the IDF has estimated that the transition will encourage
additional investment in education, health, transportation and municipal
infrastructure in the south. The increased purchases and services
demanded by military units will bring additional business and jobs. All
these factors are expected to contribute to the prosperity of the Negev.
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