The German Colony, Haifa       The German Colony in Haifa was established in the middle of the 19th century by a group of Templer settlers. Carmel Avenue, re-named Ben-Gurion Avenue, was the main historic axis of the German Colony. Throughout the development of the city, Ben Gurion Avenue was one of the city's most important boulevards and has become a symbol of Haifa. The urban structure of the German Colony was based on a central wide boulevard which 'met' the sea at its northern end, and touched the Carmel mountain at the southern end. The main route of the German Colony was historically characterized by a formal design: two rows of trees on each side of the road, and a pedestrian promenade in between. In the center of the avenue there was a path for carriages and vehicles. Ben Gurion Avenue, the main road of the German Colony, served as a meeting place, an open public space and the city square. The settlers' houses, most of which have been preserved till today, were placed along both sides of the boulevard. In front of the houses, facing the road, there was a representative yard, which integrated into the formal avenue. The auxiliary farms, the agricultural areas and the vineyards were located behind the houses - the "backyard". The restoration design of Ben Gurion Avenue was based on the original Templerian concept - a formal wide avenue which enables a long and open view to the sea and mount Carmel, a central and minimal path for cars, and a large public activity area for pedestrians. In front of the historical buildings paved 'activity yards', connected to the avenue by stairs, were planned. The "yards" are fenced by a wall of stone, that reflefruit trees such as olives and citrus, as well as pergolas of vines, Jasmine and water "Nuphars". The architectural concept treated sensitively the historical heritage aiming to create an integration between the culture, the context, the local materials and climate on the one hand, and the culture and the urban architectural concept of the first European settlers on the other. The materials and elements comprising the road are a combination of metal, wood and stone elements, derived from the historical elements, adapted to the current needs. cts the elements of the original fences, and which "gathers" most of the elements of the street furniture - lighting, seats and rows of Magnolia trees. 'Gardens' reminding the less formal inner gardens, were placed between the buildings and in the corners of the crossing streets. These gardens are comprised of local Initiator: The Haifa Economic Corp., Haifa municipality, The Ministry of Tourism.