A House, Debris, a Playground. A Genealogical Analysis of Playgrounds in Jaffa (Palestine-Israel)

This article questions the functions and performances of playgrounds in a Palestinian city under settler colonialism. While social-green spaces, including playgrounds, are scarce in Palestinian urban neighborhoods and villages in Israel, in the past three decades, playgrounds mushroomed in Jaffa, where a sizeable Palestinian community still resides, forming an exceptional case. This article probes the analytical framework of social-green gentrification under coloniality by employing genealogical research tracing the historical evolution of the spaces on which playgrounds are situated and their transformations amid shifting economic policies. The research reveals these playgrounds’ roles and functions as a means for continuous dispossession and displacement of Palestinian residents, a signifier of sovereignty, enduring colonial infrastructure, as well as a future vision for the city and its residents. By delving into these playgrounds’ multifaceted functions and manifestations, this study seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the settler colonial city’s green and social spaces and affinity to global trends and phenomena.