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Analysis / What does a big city need? By Avirama Golan After peeling away the images and ideology from the platforms of Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai and his challenger Dov Khenin, it turns out the differences aren't huge, possibly because Israeli mayors' scope of authority is smaller than it appears. Housing: Tel Aviv has became a magnet not only because of what it offers, but also due to a warped governmental policy that encourages migration from the periphery. Subsidized housing for young people could accelerate that trend. Huldai only recently began proposing affordable housing, but pressure in that direction is sure to grow. It's worth remembering that even when London subsidizes housing for needed professions, it's in the suburbs and not the city center. Advertisement Transportation: Bike paths on sidewalks aren't an ideal solution, but Tel Aviv is more bicycle-friendly now than ever. The Curitiba, Brazil model of extensive bike paths is impressive, but it's too late for that here. Too bad Huldai didn't fight harder for the subway, which could have closed the city center to private cars and reduced air pollution, but like all public transportation projects, it depends on state funding. And don't believe any candidate who promises to stop giving parking tickets. Planning and building: Tel Aviv was designed as a garden city, but it turned into a metropolis without proper infrastructure. The ugly high-rise apartment building recently built in the middle of old, low-rise Neve Tzedek sticks out like a sore thumb, but the beautiful and vibrant Rothschild Boulevard wouldn't exist without its high-rise office buildings. The candidates and their city council candidates: Huldai belongs to the old style of obnoxious politicians who know how to work, not how to talk. He's an energetic, dedicated mayor with values, but even when he was principal of Tel Aviv's Gymnasia Herzliya high school he was accused of arrogance when he stood at the gate in the morning and shook the hand of every student who entered. His list of candidates is not exactly thrilling. Dov Khenin is an excellent parliamentarian, but his administrative abilities are still untested. His Ir Lekulanu list was founded by a fascinating ideological group, but it is overshadowed by its hostility to Huldai and its purposely aggressive discussion style. These draw attention away from the critical debate over what needs to be done to improve the city. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Never again Israel, Germany mark 70 years since the Night of the Broken Glass. Financial freefall Global financial storms threaten empire of Jewish billionaire Sheldon Adelson.

Read & React Amira Hass: Haniyeh willing to accept Palestine with 1967 borders Responses: 321 Gideon Levy: Let's hope Obama won't be a 'friend of Israel' Responses: 177 At Rabin memorial, Barak calls right-wing extremists 'cancerous growths' Responses: 118 Iran slams Obama's tough language on nuclear arms Responses: 146 Syria President: Israel is not genuine about peace Responses: 58 More Headlines 07:25 Livni: I didn't repeat mistakes of Camp David talks 07:13 Labor figureheads to support Meretz in upcoming elections 06:52 Report: U.S.conducted dozens of military ops in Syria, Pakistan 04:05 Amira Hass / Powerless in Gaza, residents rely on the tunnels 02:12 Belgian far right leader: I am one of Israel's staunchest defenders 07:23 Jerusalem of filth: Capital ranks last in livability among Israel's largest cities 01:06 Living the Vision / 'I knew my life's goal was to try and make Israel find peace' 19:24 Hamas: No room to implement long-term truce with Israel 20:11 Elderly Palestinian couple evicted from East Jerusalem home despite U.S. protest 02:38 Holocaust restitution panel thinks land in T.A. belonged to victims 21:25 'Anti-Semitism must never be given an opportunity in Europe again,' says German chancellor 05:41 Despite credit crunch, senior officials to enjoy big raises 06:00 Porush, Barkat vie for decisive national-religious vote in Jerusalem election 04:39 Rags-to-riches immigrant from Morocco looks to make history in Ashdod mayoral race Previous Editions Select Day 09 nov 07 nov 06 nov 05 nov 04 nov 03 nov 02 nov 31 oct 30 oct 29 oct 28 oct 27 oct

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