His Majesty King Abdullah received the final copy of Amman Master Plan, which covers the capitals urban development up to 2025 and laid the foundation stone for the multimillion-dinar King Abdullah Park, which is expected to serve one million people of Muqablain and the neighbouring areas.
Amman Mayor Eng. Omar Maani handed over the plan to the King. Maani said that east Amman will witness tremendous growth that would rehabilitate the area. This is part of a comprehensive development project, with Amman Development Corridor to be completed in tow years coinciding with several major projects to serve the districts there, Maani said.
In his explanation in front of the King, the Mayor said that the Master Plan is based on the Smart Growth principles and organized work. It has been prepared by the Greater Amman Municipality teams to create a balance between the old and current developments in the city and to protect its identity but maintain the modern trend in its growth with special care taken for its legacy and heritage.
In 2006, the King ordered GAM to set a comprehensive vision for Amman and to adopt a plan that considers the citys development and its inhabitants needs of current and future development in addition to preserving its legacy and heritage.
Also, the King announced during his visit to Qweismeh district last week that several key projects to be implemented in east Amman over the coming two years to eliminate the gap between this part of the capital and the more affluent west Amman neighborhoods.
He told community leaders in the district that changes envisioned would be implemented in line with a comprehensive development plan to be launched in the coming months.
He said the plans are designed to develop east Amman in a way that renders it “more beautiful and a model for the rest of the areas in the Kingdom”.
At the meeting in Qweismeh, His Majesty said infrastructure, the health situation and schools will be of top priority as far as projects designed for east Amman are concerned.
The Master Plan was based, in its major part, on the sustainable development concept, through controlling the urban growth and building a viable city capable to develop housing and working environment. The Plan also took into account protection of legacy and heritage. Maani stressed that attention was mostly focusing on creating harmony between the citys districts by reducing the traffic congestion and increasing the green spots and spaces. The plan has set a new transportation plan based on the public transportation and pedestrian. He estimated that the plan would save JD 2billion for the Municipalitys budget. Such amount can be reallocated to develop the public transportation and create a city friendly to pedestrians.
He thanked all those to took part in the setting of this plan, noting that it was prepared by the society here.
The challenge now is to follow up on this partnership by all partners from the local, business communities and the government agencies. GAM announced last year the four phases of the master plan.
Prime Minster nadir Dahabi and Speakers of the Lower house and the Senate in addition to Royal Court Chief and several ministers and Senators and deputies attended the festival and other representatives of the economic and local communities in the capital.