The NGOization of space: Dilemmas of social change, planning policy, and the Israeli public sphere

This paper offers a critical analysis of the role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that deal with planning policy in general and in Israel in particular. The inherent dilemmas of the different NGOs' tactics and strategies in reshaping the public sphere are examined, based on a critical reading of Habermas's conceptualization of the public sphere. The main objective of this paper is to investigate to what extent, and under which conditions, the NGOization of space - that is, the growing number of nongovernmental actors that deal with the production of space both politically and tangibly - has been able to achieve strategic goals which may lead towards social change.