AmCham to support Amman Master Plan
Jordan Times
March 9, 2007
Khalid Neimat
AMMAN -- The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Jordan has called on the private sector to support the Amman Master Plan, announced by the Greater Amman Municipality's (GAM) last month.
"We will prop up the plan internally and globally to attract foreign investments," AmCham-Jordan Chairman Azzam Shweihat said.
"Amman residents must feel that they are about to experience huge changes in their city," he added.
GAM will complete the final draft of the land use plan by the end of this year, while the draft of the same plan for the new areas under GAM's jurisdiction -- Sahab, Qweira and Jiza -- will be ready by the end of next year, Amman Mayor Omar Maani told AmCham members on Wednesday.
"Our vision is to ensure systematic and stable growth of the city rather than haphazard expansion," Maani said.
Reiterating GAM's commitment to enhance and rehabilitate the city centre through several projects, he said the master plan is a "step forward towards a tidy and organised city, preparing it for decades beyond 2020,"
As part of GAM's plans for downtown, the municipality will expand the green area in Omar Mattar Street, rehabilitate Rainbow and Faisal streets and restore Abu Darweesh Yard.
The master plan is a response to the tremendous growth the capital has witnessed over the past several years, particularly with the influx of over 500,000 Iraqis.
But the huge population increase has placed a strain on Amman's limited infrastructure and planning. Therefore, the plan is designed to provide clear signposts for the sustainable development of the municipality over the next 20 years, in accordance with new planning legislation.
In May last year, His Majesty King Abdullah entrusted GAM with drawing up a "serious and comprehensive" project of city planning for the capital -- serving as a template to be replicated in other cities.
The King said the leading challenge would be to strike a balance that encourages growth, development and modernisation, while at the same time ensuring the preservation of the capital's aesthetic qualities and charm.
Meanwhile, a new exhibition hall will be constructed on the airport road next month, Director of the Near East International Exhibitions Marketing Company, Rose Wazani said yesterday.
"The facility, which will be built on a 100-dunum plot, includes an internal display area of 26,000 square metres and car parking zones," Wazani added.
The hall will host the second Real Estate and Investments Exhibition in December this year.