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Resilient strategies for a sustainable Amman

CITY STRATEGIES & GOVERNANCE

Image source: www.100resilientcities.org

The city of Amman, as part of the 100 Resilient Cities, pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation, has developed a resilience strategy based on 5 main pillars to become an integrated, smart, environmentally proactive, innovative, prosperous, young, equal, proud, and united city. A total of 16 goals and 54 related actions have been designed to fulfil the ambition of being a resilient city.

Tags: Urban Resilience, Social Cohesion, Green City, Strategic Planning

Challenges addressed
  • Unusually heavy rains often lead to flooding in lower-lying areas of the city
  • Elevated areas are exposed to hazardous blizzards
  • Recent influx of migrants has put pressure on the city’s infrastructure and its ability to deliver basic services (including waste management and transport systems)
  • Lack of natural resources (energy and water)
  • Regional instability and a difficult business and investment environment lead to economic challenges
Main objectives
  • Improve the mobility systems, promote walkability, connect the city digitally and institutionalize the planning in the city
  • Manage and fulfil climate change commitments, improve energy efficiency and security, including the diversifycation of  energy sources, apply green building guidelines, manage the water resources efficiently, and improve the waste management system
  • Leverage the existing human capital to create employment, support entrepreneurs, start-ups and incubators, and empower women.
  • Integrate and engage young people equally and support the youth through cultural campaigns
  • Promote a sense of belonging amongst citizens and promote participation and engagement
Facts

Project type                                                            Resilience Strategy building

Promoter                                                                 Amman Municipality

Funding                                                                   Rockefeller Foundation

Start date                                                                2014

Site size                                                                    800 km2 (630 km2 urban area)

Website                                                                   www.resilientamman.jo/

Project description

Amman is the political, cultural, and commercial centre of Jordan, one of Middle East’s most thriving metropolises. In 2015, it had 4 million inhabitants (50% under 25 years old) and there is the forecast of more than 8 million in 2025. Moreover, it gathers the 6% of the Jordan’s GDP, although unemployment rate is especially high among women and young people (30% of youth unemployment). An extra added value are the 178.000 Syrian refugees arrived to the city and its 40% increase of demand for water.

 

In 2014, Amman became a member of the 100 Resilient Cities organization, pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation, with which the Municipality of Amman was able to fund and develop a resilience strategy, to transform its main challenges into opportunities, to improve the quality of life of its citizens.

 

Amman has grown to be a regional hub in the Middle East, being an example of tolerance, progress and peacefulness. The city has shown resilience throughout the ages, welcoming migrants from the 19th century and until today. In the past two decades, Amman hosts refugees who have fled regional conflicts. This influx has put pressure on the city’s infrastructure and its ability to deliver basic services.

 

While it boasts well-managed road, tunnel, and bridge infrastructure, there are few reliable public transport alternatives, forcing residents to rely on cars. Climate-related challenges also affect the city, as heavy rains often lead to flooding in lower-lying areas, while elevated areas are exposed to hazardous blizzards.

 

Therefore, the city has established protocols for emergency operations, including rapid-response communications centres. Being part of 100 Resilient Cities, Amman has developed 54 actions to reach 16 goals regarding mobility, sustainability, innovation, equality and citizen participation. The different actions are planned in short, medium and long-term, some of them are already inprogress. The resilience goals are related to 5 main objectives, aiming to become a welcoming, young and diverse city.

Image source: www.photobucket.com
Impact and results
  • Implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit System (infrastructure, operations, ticketing system)
  • Feasibility study for Amman Metro
  • Promote and facilitate licences for home based businesses
  • Reinforce legislation for the protection of the environment
  • Green Amman 2020
Image source: www.100resilientcities.org
Publications & main documents
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Category

Cases, City Strategies & Governance

Tags
Citizen Participation City Branding City Development City Finance Collaborative Economy Cultural Heritage Employment Energy Efficiency Food Security Gender equality Green City Guidelines Health Housing Instruments Living Laboratories Natural Protection Ports Public-Private Partnerships Smart Grid Social Cohesion Social Inclusion Spatial Planning Strategic Planning Sustainable Tourism Urban Regeneration Urban Resilience Urban Transportation Waste Managment Water Management