Amman Voice: From an out of place architecture to an out of place identities.

August 3, 2007

From an out of place architecture to an out of place identities.

We shall not forget that the Arts (Architecture, interior, music, painting, etc) are reflections of the societies. Our societies didn't produce those buildings and they can't compete to produce them. We just, with our money, bought these alien designs. The "under construction" projects in the Arabic world "and not only the Gulf" are out of place, and we can't say that the architects failed to compete. They are part of the equation and local companies don't have that competative advantage. Filling the gap between the academic and profession is always important but not enough. We are losing our identity in The Arts because we are rejecting our identities and adopting the western capitalistic idiologies. The architecture in the Arabic world is becoming more and more "Out of Place," and will refelct this in the furture of our societies identity. An "Out of Identity, out of Place" societies.

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Amman is a city best enjoyed on foot, yet we plan our streets for cars. Amman City's streets are the soul of its neighborhoods and the pathways to it’s destinations. For generations, Jordanians and visitors have strolled, shopped and socialized on sidewalks and street corners. Pedestrian friendly streets are the city's most fundamental assets.
Unfortunately, we aren't making the most of these assets. Instead, our streets are being managed almost entirely for
traffic flow, with neighborhoods and business districts buckling under increasing amounts of dangerous car and truck traffic. If we continue planning our streets for cars and traffic, we will get more cars and traffic; conversely, if we start planning our cities for people and places, we will get more people and places. Streets are more than just car corridors; they are valuable civic spaces and resources that need to be wisely allocated. We need to start thinking about a campaign building the movement to re-imagine our streets as lively public places.

The Benefits of Great Streets

Stronger Local Economies
- Shoppers are walkers: improved pedestrian life supports local businesses and jobs.
- Street investments enhance real estate values and increase the tax base.
A Sense of Community
- Great streets create emblematic places that define communities.
- Sidewalks serve as public venues shared by people of the diverse ethnicities and ages.
- Vibrant streets encourage local pride and volunteerism.
Improved Safety and Security
- Making neighborhoods safer for pedestrians and bicyclists saves lives.
- More "eyes on the street" actually reduce crime and increase residents' sense of security.
Better Access for All
- Reduced emphasis on cars and parking makes transit, walking, and biking more viable options.
- Walkable streets are comfortable public settings for people of diverse abilities.
- Community assets, jobs, and services become more accessible.
Healthier Cities
- Increased walking makes for a healthier population.
- Decreased traffic volume and congestion reduces pollution.
- Streets as public venues combat isolation and depression.
Wise Development
- Investing in streets is an efficient use of existing infrastructure.
- Increased foot traffic attracts new development and businesses.
- Success fosters ongoing investment.