Transit-Oriented Neighborhoods in Amman Report Overview
The Transit-Oriented Neighborhoods in Amman report, authored by a team led by Jon Kher Kaw, Hogeun Park, and Ban Edilbi from the World Bank, alongside Ecosistema Urbano, outlines strategies for enhancing urban development through improved public transportation networks and targeted neighborhood revitalization. Key aspects include:
Urban Vision and Challenges
- Amman, with a population of approximately 4.3 million, serves as the economic hub of Jordan, accounting for 60% of the national GDP and housing 80% of large firms. However, it suffers from significant traffic congestion, with car usage at 33%, taxi use at 9%, pedestrian use at 26%, and only 14% utilizing public transport.
- The city experiences major inequalities in layout, with vulnerable populations concentrated in the eastern region, and commuting distances for residents from the eastern part to jobs being twice as long as those from affluent neighborhoods.
- The report notes disparities in access to education, health facilities, and green spaces, reflecting income segregation.
Strategies and Solutions
- The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) has adopted an integrated urban planning approach, incorporating a transportation strategy into its master plan since 2010. This includes the construction of two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines to connect various districts to the city center.
- GAM is currently working on expanding the BRT network, aiming to increase public transportation use from 14% to 40% while promoting transit-oriented development with housing and economic growth along key transportation corridors.
- The report suggests that expanding the BRT network could significantly improve access to jobs and services, leading to productivity growth and demand for additional floor area in specific neighborhoods.
Opportunities and Pathways
- The report identifies pathways for integrating transport investments with land use reforms, estimating that such measures could increase productivity by 4.37% to 4.96% in manufacturing, 4.35% to 7.24% in non-tradable services, and 7.60% to 7.61% in tradable services.
- It also emphasizes the importance of climate-conscious urban planning, given Amman's vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters. The city aims to become carbon emissions-neutral by 2050, focusing on solar energy, rainwater harvesting, green area development, solid waste management, and public transport.
Conclusion
The report provides a comprehensive framework for enhancing Amman's urban development through strategic transportation investments and neighborhood revitalization efforts, with a focus on improving accessibility, equity, and sustainability. It underscores the need for coordinated action between infrastructure development and land use policies to maximize the benefits of transit-oriented development.
