New vision for Amman

I love what the Great Amman Municipality (GAM) is doing with the Amman Master Plan. Today they announced the second phase of the plan which targets concentrated (or high-density) development. I quickly skimmed the material developed for this phase and I like what I see. The photo below shows the proposed vision for Zahran Street for example—which looks much more attractive than the random development which currently plagues the capitol (photo from GAM web site).

High-density and mixed use developments can greatly enhance Amman. In addition to providing for an organized and harmonious development, this style of development can support cost-effective housing, reduced dependence on the private car (and hence less traffic), well-connected communities, and cleaner environment. Here is a picture I took in Washington, DC last spring which shows an example of the Victorian high-density urban development style.

Amman has grown in a hap-hazardous fashion, with much intense growth since 2001. The Master Plan is a much needed and way overdue effort for at least regulating future growth. Since much growth has taken place so far without proper planning, the process of retro-fitting existing developed areas into the new vision for the city will be very difficult and painful. Needless to say, it will also be very political because of potential resistance from property owners and traditional political powers.

The GAM has attempted to make this plan development open to participation from various organizations and citizen groups. However, it is the responsibility of these entities to engage the GAM in this critical planning process—after all they will be the ones directly impacted by its outcomes. It is our collective responsibility to support the GAM in accomplishing a vision that will make Ammanites and Jordanians proud of Amman.