Amman Voice: Know who lives in your backyard?

December 10, 2007

Know who lives in your backyard?

Wanna know who was left behind in the new Amman planning strategy. Watch this video!

Type rest of the post here

2 comments:

Nadine Toukan said...: This neighborhood is the focus of a project spearheaded by ARAMEX and includes several private sector partners who collaborate with existing orgs in the neighborhood. Maani is one of the corporate partners supporting this RUWWAD project in Nathif.

RUWWAD have done a lot of work with the community there since this video which is fairly old - a year or so I think (not sure).

You should visit Jabal Nathif and see the beginnings of transformation, and of course how much more work needs to be done. But it's started, and things are improving for the community as per their own testimonials.

Their website: http://www.ruwwad.net/home/

Having said all this, Nathif is one of many such neglected areas in this city and around the country.; December 10, 2007
Amman Voice said...: We need to be more aware of such initiatives and promote for more participations from the community to volunteer in these development projects.

Thanks for the information; December 12, 2007

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.