Amman Voice: Queen Rania tours downtown Amman

January 17, 2008

Queen Rania tours downtown Amman

Her Majesty Queen Rania greets shoppers in downtown

Amman on Wednesday (Photo by Abdullah Ayoub)

Ammn (JT) - Yesterday, Queen Rania toured downtown Amman, visited the old markets, spoke with storeowners and checked on the tourism situation. As she walked down Al Hashemi and Al Salt streets Queen Rania spoke with shoppers and also stopped by Abu Ahmad’s famous peanut stand, which has been serving downtown residents for some 35 years. Queen Rania also toured the Malhas Souq, one of the oldest markets in the city centre and visited the “Arab Culture Kiosk” where she purchased books on the capital’s history. Abu Ali, the kiosk owner, was honoured by His Majesty King Abdullah last year for his role in promoting culture and books across generations.

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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.