The German Jordanian University, through its School of Architecture and the Built Environment at its Jabal Amman campus, organized a symposium titled "Amman Urbanism," under the patronage of Dr. Yousef Shawarbeh, Mayor of Amman, and in the presence of GJU President Dr. Ala’aldeen Al-Halhouli, along with experts from public and private universities, governmental institutions, and civil society organizations.
Dr. Al-Halhouli pointed out that the symposium brought together experts in architecture and urban planning from Jordan and abroad, emphasizing that this gathering is not merely an academic meeting but a crucial step towards envisioning the future of Amman. He stressed the importance of reviving dialogue on urban development, which had largely been dormant for over two decades. With contributions from private sector experts, the Greater Amman Municipality, and the academic community, this event presented new perspectives for imagining a modern and sustainable future for Amman.
Symposium coordinator Dr. Nabil Abu-Dayyeh explained that the event aims to establish a participatory dialogue on various aspects of "Amman Urbanism," spanning from architecture to spatial planning. A series of lectures were delivered by Jordanian and international specialists from the UK, France, and Austria, covering topics such as an overview of the Amman 2025 plan, an analysis of renewable energy usage in the capital, urban developments in select Gulf countries, a study of the spatial identity of public squares in Yemen and Kuwait, and the role of entertainment in cities. Additionally, a detailed presentation was given on the planning and design of the latest residential district in Vienna.
Dr. Abu-Dayyeh added that the objective of the symposium is not to propose direct recommendations or immediate solutions to the challenges facing Amman. Rather, it aims to showcase relevant global experiences, broadening perspectives and enabling participants to learn from diverse international case studies.