Jamila Khair- Amman Mayor Yousef Al Shawarbeh, patronised the launch of a new World Bank publication, a report entitled “Future Amman, positioned at a juncture, Three Strategies Toward Climate Smart Spatial Transformation”, in cooperation with the Greater Amman Municipality, in the presence of his deputy, Muhammad Rasmi Al-Qaisi, and the city manager, Ahmed Al-Malkawi.
Al-Shawarbeh, in his opening speech, praised the fruitful partnership with the World Bank Group in preparing the report, which is considered an opportunity to enhance communication with international partners, and to benefit from extensive global expertise in the field of urban development, which will contribute fundamentally in drawing a clear and sustainable road map for Amman’s urban future towards achieving its vision, contributing to growth and economic transformation, enhancing comprehensive development and ensuring the city’s sustainability
He said that Amman is a pioneer city in the region, in the field of green growth, promoting climate action and resilience, and in launching a set of ambitious plans aiming at reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, making Amman one of the few cities or perhaps the only city in the Middle East and North Africa region that has set this goal.
Al Shawarbeh added that GAM launched its strategic plan for the years 2022-2026, where royal directives, national goals, global sustainable development goals, and citizens’ needs formed the inputs of making this plan, noting that GAM’s strategy was built within four axes concerned with quality of life and environment, transportation, traffic solutions, infrastructure, investment and developing legislation.
He explained that this report helps in creating more dynamic use of land, allowing the city to take full advantage of the planned expansion of the BRT network by creating a sustainable urban structure, as the World Bank supports us in using municipal spatial data infrastructure to guide our planning for the city.
The World Bank Resident Representative in Jordan, Holly Benner, said that Amman faces many challenges during its development due to the fact that it is located in a region that is witnessing many crises, such as slow economic growth, high unemployment rates, indebtedness, climate change, and instability.
She noted that the report provides urban and spatial planning solutions in a way that contributes positively to achieving economic growth, creating job opportunities, improving services, and increasing the quality of life for Amman’s residents, with the participation of all sectors in addition to the private sector.
The report provides a new look at how a combination of cross-sector solutions and spatial planning can positively impact economic growth, job creation, improved services, and overall increased livability for Amman ’s residents.
The report stresses on three specific strategies that can be implemented simultaneously to help improve services, infrastructure, and achieve better outcomes for Amman and its citizens.
The report focuses on the fact that Amman needs integrated urban solutions across sectors, and on spatial planning to transform the city.
Three strategic actions are recommended, including improving spatial and integrated planning across sectors at the city and neighborhood levels, prioritizing reform and major investments within limited resources, and leveraging public assets and promoting land value recovery.
Jon Kher kaw from the World Bank gave a presentation on the report, its themes, strategies, and challenges facing the city.
The event concluded with a panel discussion with the participation of relevant officials from the Amman Municipality, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, Wael Al-Masry Planners and Architects, the United Nations Human Settlements Program in Jordan, and the C40 Network.