Mayor of Amman: Amman Metropolitan Plan Reflects GAM’s Aspirations toward the City & the Citizens

 Mayor of Amman, Omar Maani, said that Amman plan reflects the aspirations of Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) towards the City, through organizational rules that preserve the cultural heritage and the urban foundation, which keeps pace with all the developments.
During the discussion held at Columbia University Middle East Research Center (CUMERC), with the participation of experts and specialists in urban development, the Mayor added that the organizational plan came upon the directions of His Majesty King Abdullah II, and in correspondence with the sizable development Amman witnessed for the last few years, and the increased population within a limited infrastructure.
The participants of the two day workshop stressed on the importance of reconsidering the urban spaces in the cities, announcing at the same time, two cooperation projects in social and urban planning field.
The outcomes and recommendations of the urban planning course were also revealed, which was conducted during the beginning of this year, under the supervision of Urban Model of Sustainable Living Lab (UMSL Lab). 
On his part, the GM of CUMERC, Dr. Safwan Al Masri, stressed the University’s keenness and commitment to promote the relations and bonds between the concerned parties in urban and social planning by working with local experts and supporting the local knowledge.
He also commended GAM’s efforts in preparing Amman developmental plan which embodies the modern planning process of the city for 25 years to come.
Amman plan report was based on studies previously conducted by a team of students and professors at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) at Columbia University; this report is an outcome of cooperation and consolidation of efforts between GAM and Amman Institute for Urban Development, and the planning team at GSAPP.
Alfredo Brilimburg and Hubert Klimbner from the GSAPP gave a presentation, during the workshop, including the research results with new proposals and visions for Al Rusaifeh region in the future, as well as many projects that can direct the youth energies towards developing their local communities.
The participants pointed out that the researches, designs, and the future plans executed by CUMERC in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Development, the faculty members in GSAPP in regards to Al Rusaifeh region aimed at creating new horizons for the local community by establishing youth centers which offer a safe environment to practice creative and sports activities, and others.
Previously, the Ministry of Social Development and in cooperation with CUMERC announced establishing a UMSL Lab in Rusaifeh region.
It is important to note that many experiments of similar labs have been executed in many countries of the world, and they were successful on all levels.
Many sessions have been held during the last months with active participations of some ministries, namely the Minister of Environment, Hazem Malhas, as well as NGOs, to ensure the success and eventually adoption of such efforts.
The seminar included a workshop in Rusaifeh with the participation of GSAPP students and a group of the region’s students and youth; this event has been organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Al Hassan Award for Youth, Islamic Arts and Architecture Institute.
The seminar was concluded with several presentations by experts and academics and society leaders about the urban planning and development in Jordan, highlighting the importance of urban development in the cities as it positively impacts their future and citizens.