Under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Dana Firas, President of the Petra National Trust and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage, the German Jordanian University (GJU) participated in a specialized technical meeting hosted recently by the Department of Antiquities. The meeting aimed to discuss challenges and solutions for mitigating risks posed by flash floods in the archaeological city of Petra, one of Jordan’s most prominent World Heritage sites.
GJU was represented by Professor Nizar Abu-Jaber, Director of the Center for Natural and Cultural Heritage. The meeting was attended by Dr. Fawzi AbuDannah, Director General of the Department of Antiquities, and Eng. Yazan Mahadin, Commissioner for the Management of the Heritage Site and Tourism at the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA). Also in attendance were representatives from the UNESCO office, foreign archaeological institutes in Amman, and a group of academics and specialists in the fields of heritage and the environment.
During the sessions, Dr. Abu-Jaber delivered a comprehensive scientific presentation highlighting GJU’s leading role and field efforts in site protection. He explained that the university has placed special emphasis on the maintenance of ancient water systems within the strategic Al-Hremmiyyeh Basin, which leads to the Treasury (Al-Khazneh). These efforts are designed to enhance the site's capacity to manage significant water flows with high efficiency.
Furthermore, Dr. Abu Jaber reviewed a series of scientific and research studies conducted by GJU in collaboration with specialists from Yarmouk University and funded by various entities. These studies focused on collecting and analyzing precise data regarding surface runoff and rainfall rates in the region. He emphasized that this research provides a solid database that enables relevant authorities to develop proactive and sustainable plans to counter climate change, embodying GJU’s commitment to utilizing its academic and technical expertise to safeguard national heritage from natural hazards.