Urban Thinkers Campus (UTC) on

Shaping Urban Futures with Sustainable Housing, Mobility and Green Infrastructure in Amman, Jordan

• Day 1: Pre-UTC field visits
• Day 2-3: UTC sessions and workshops

• German Jordanian University, Road Safety Center of Excellence/ Amman, Jordan

Co-Organizers:

• Connective Cities, MENA region, regional office in Amman, Jordan
• UHPH-MENA by Habitat for Humanity International
• Habitat For Humanity Jordan
• Resilient Urban Planning and development (RUPD) GbR, Düsseldorf, Germany
• Technical University of Berlin, Habitat Unit, Berlin, Germany
• Road Safety Management, School of Engineering ESIB - Saint-Joseph University of Beirut

Contact Email: UTC2024-RSCE@gju.edu.jo

UTC Booklet 2024

UTC Agenda 2024

Introduction

The UTC is an initiative led by the World Urban Campaign, which is driven by UN-Habitat. It serves as an inclusive forum for meaningful dialogue among urban researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, aimed at fostering constructive urban change. The UTC functions as a collaborative platform, fostering partnerships and alliances to advance the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda.

Amman, like many rapidly urbanizing cities, is experiencing significant population growth, accompanied by challenges such as housing shortages, traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and the integration of refugee populations. As the city struggles with these complex issues, it becomes increasingly crucial to explore innovative and sustainable solutions that prioritize the well-being of its residents while fostering environmental stewardship and social equity.

The central focus of the UTC revolves around three interconnected pillars:

1. Sustainable housing: Sustainable housing encompasses initiatives aimed at providing affordable, accessible, and environmentally friendly housing options for all residents of Amman. This includes exploring alternative construction methods, promoting energy-efficient building designs, and addressing affordability challenges through innovative financing mechanisms.
    
2. Sustainable mobility: Mobility plays a pivotal role in shaping urban life in Amman. With increasing congestion and pollution levels, there is a pressing need to enhance the city's transportation infrastructure and promote sustainable modes of travel. By investing in public transit systems, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and cycling networks, we can create a more inclusive and efficient urban mobility ecosystem that reduces reliance on private vehicles and mitigates environmental impacts.
    
3. Green infrastructure: Green infrastructure emerges as a critical component of sustainable urban development in Amman. Green infrastructure initiatives, such as urban parks, green roofs, and permeable pavements, offer multiple benefits, including improved air and water quality, enhanced biodiversity, and climate resilience. By integrating green spaces into the urban fabric, we can create healthier, more resilient communities while mitigating the impacts of climate change.

The UTC Objectives

1. Enhancing Awareness of Urban Challenges: Raise awareness among local municipalities, policymakers, and communities about the multifaceted challenges associated with rapid urbanization, including housing, climate resilience, and traffic management in Amman.
    
2. Fostering Collaborative Multi-Stakeholder Engagement: Strengthen multi-stakeholder engagement by convening experts, academia, policymakers, NGOs, community leaders, and private sector representatives in Amman as well as facilitate inclusive discussions and collaboration to ensure a comprehensive and collective approach to addressing the intertwined challenges of urban development.
    
3. Promoting Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development: Encourage the development of new, replicable, and innovative solutions to navigate the challenges and showcase successful case studies and best practices from diverse contexts to inspire creative approaches to sustainable urban development in the city.
    
4. Creating Commitment-Building Platforms for Stakeholders: Establish a platform for stakeholders to converge, exchange ideas, and build commitments to address urgent issues in Amman and facilitate collaborative initiatives that foster collective responsibility and commitment toward achieving sustainable and resilient urban development in the city.
    
5. Integrating Local Knowledge with Scientific Perspectives: Emphasize the integration of local knowledge and perspectives into discussions and promote a holistic approach that blends local wisdom with scientific insights to develop contextually relevant and effective solutions for sustainable urban development.
    
6. Localizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Localize relevant SDGs to ensure that initiatives and strategies align with the specific needs and contexts of Amman and facilitate discussions and actions that contribute to achieving SDGs related to urbanization, affordable housing, climate action, and sustainable communities at the local level in Amman.

Expected Outcomes and Impacts

1. Informed Urban Policies and Strategies:

• Anticipated Result: The UTC aims to generate insights and discussions that will inform urban policies and strategies, fostering sustainable and inclusive urban development.
   
• Impact on Cities and Communities: Local municipalities and urban planners will benefit from informed policies, leading to improved living conditions and enhanced urban resilience.
   

2. Strengthened Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Anticipated Result: The UTC intends to strengthen multi-stakeholder engagement by bringing together experts, academia, policymakers, community leaders, and various stakeholders.
   
• Impact on Cities and Communities: Enhanced collaboration fosters collective responsibility, empowering communities and creating a network of support for sustainable urban initiatives.
   

3. Innovative Solutions for Urban Challenges:

• Anticipated Result: The UTC aims to encourage the development of innovative and replicable solutions for challenges related to housing, traffic, and environmental concerns.
   
• Impact on Cities and Communities: Implementation of innovative solutions contributes to improved urban infrastructure, making cities more resilient and adaptive.
   

4. Localized and Contextually Relevant Approaches:

• Anticipated Result: The UTC emphasizes the integration of local knowledge and perspectives into discussions, promoting contextually relevant and effective solutions.
   
• Impact on Cities and Communities: Tailoring strategies to local contexts ensures that urban development initiatives resonate with the specific needs and characteristics of each community.
   

5. Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability:

• Anticipated Result: The UTC focuses on climate action and sustainable practices to mitigate environmental impacts associated with urban expansion.
   
• Impact on Cities and Communities: Implementation of eco-friendly building practices and energy-efficient transportation contributes to climate resilience, ensuring a more sustainable and environmentally conscious urban environment.
   

6. Empowered Communities and Inclusive Development:

• Anticipated Result: The UTC aims to foster social inclusivity, community engagement, and well-being through initiatives that cater to the diverse needs of residents.
   
• Impact on Cities and Communities: Inclusive development reduces inequalities, promotes accessibility, and enhances the overall well-being of urban communities.
   

7. Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building:

• Anticipated Result: The UTC endeavours to facilitate knowledge sharing and city-to-city learning, creating a dynamic space for the exchange of ideas and best practices.
   
• Impact on Cities and Communities: Empowering stakeholders with knowledge and building capacities contributes to effective urban planning and implementation of sustainable practices.