As recently as 1950 Amman
was nothing more than a collection of huddled
homes and the buildings that housed the government
of a newly independent Jordan. Today's Amman
is in search of more space to accomodate urban
sprawl. |
It may well be the largest core-city urban regeneration
project ongoing in the world. Madinat al-Sharq,
a mega real estate plan for housing a half million
residents by the year 2025, is moving forward in
six construction phases on a 6200 acre site in al-Zarqa,
Jordan’s second largest city and primary industrial
center, located a few miles to the northeast Amman.
The project, dubbed "The city of the Orient,"
is initially getting underway, as a pilot project,
upon 10% of the overall site, while two smaller,
but nonetheless considerable projects are on track
in the midst of the capital city (200 acres) and
in Aqaba (30 acres).
Right now an eight- foot high, rebar enforced,
concrete retaining wall keeps a gently sloping mass
of rock and gravel from spilling forward onto a
busy street at the far southern end of the development
in central Amman. A few scattered date palms rise
like broom sticks from the morass. To the east—the
massive robins egg blue dome and pointed minarets
of the King Abdullah II Mosque anchor the coming
development. To the west—a cluttering of low-rise
office buildings sit in jealous expectation of the
progress across the street.
The overall concept, inspired by the vision of
His Majesty King Abdullah II, is to relocate the
military, long entrenched in commercially attractive,
highly visible real estate in central Amman and
in al-Zarqua, and start from scratch, using a well
thought out master-plan for urban regeneration.
As recently as 1950 Amman was nothing more than
a collection of huddled homes and buildings that
housed the government of a newly independent Jordan.
Al-Zarqa had even less of a signature. As the two
cities expanded in concentric rings around the military
bases, these complexes soon found themselves enveloped
in a distinctly urban landscape—eyesores, smack
center in the middle of commerce, residential areas,
and government. If nothing else, they sent the wrong
kind of message for cities that wished to show their
poise. Amman is among the most progressive and secure
places in the region, but the presence of the military
was proving an impediment, not only to sensible
growth, but also in putting forth the proper image.
As impressive as the development plans are for
Amman, coming as they are in the largest city and
capital of Jordan, the development in Zarqa is even
more massive. Bab Al-Madina Souq, a gateway to the
commercial heart of Zarqa, with its more than two
mile-long pedestrian commercial spine, will be located
within a civic plaza that also accommodates the
proposed Zarqa Grand Mosque. The Souq is easily
accessible by road, public transport and pedestrian
streets, and offers new and diverse retail outlets,
including dining, entertainment and cultural facilities
in a well-tempered indoor/outdoor environment.
It will essentially create a new al-Zarqa, population
860 thousand, fashioning a city center and an infrastructure
network to include commercial, cultural, entertainment
and public facilities. The commercial environment
will consist of offices, restaurants, shops, open
commercial plazas, recreational areas and other
supporting facilities.
The National Resources Development and Investment
Corporation (MAWARED) along with several major local
investors will be contributing to the development
effort. MAWARED, the owner of these sites, was established
to lead Jordan's efforts in urban regeneration and
inner cities development. These investors are Al-Qabas
Real Estate Development Co., Madaen Al Nour Real
Estate Investment and Development Co., the Land
Investment Co., and the Development and Investment
Projects Fund.
That these particular companies are taking part
in the project is a testament both to their sense
of dedication in providing housing and creating
additional commerce for the Kingdom. It also highlights
MAWARED’s keenness in having the private sector
become more involved in development projects.
MAWARED offers a unique opportunity for developers
and investors alike to assist in creating commercial
and residential communities of its sites on both
commercial and residential levels. Within a relatively
short time since inception, MAWARED has become Jordan's
leading urban regeneration entity and its largest
real estate developer.
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Jordan 
