Strengthening community participation in local decision-making, preserving cultural heritage, and improving urban mobility emerged as key priorities during the third meeting of the Future of Hai Jabal Amman Committee – CLOSER Jordan Local Proximity Network (LPN), which held on 21 October 2026.
The meeting focused on identifying the neighborhood’s main urban challenges and setting priorities for a community-led initiative planned for 2027. Discussions highlighted the importance of connecting residents’ needs with municipal planning and decision-making processes to support more inclusive and responsive urban development.
Facilitated by committee member Dr. Sami Hourani through the Diwanieh participatory dialogue approach, the meeting provided a space for stakeholders to examine local challenges, exchange perspectives, and identify areas where coordinated action could contribute to tangible improvements in the neighborhood.
Participants identified three interconnected priorities: strengthening channels for communication and participation between residents and local authorities; protecting Jabal Amman’s historical character and cultural heritage amid urban development pressures; and addressing traffic congestion and mobility challenges affecting residents, businesses, and visitors.
Dr. Hourani emphasized the importance of incorporating young people’s perspectives, ensuring that proposed interventions respond to the needs of different community groups, and exploring how digital tools and services could improve access and participation. He also highlighted the need to balance urban development with the preservation of Jabal Amman’s historical and cultural identity.
As a next step, the committee will hold focused working sessions to translate these priorities into a feasible community initiative for 2027. The proposed intervention will be presented through a public consultation process, allowing residents to review and provide feedback before its finalization and implementation.
The network brings together representatives from public and municipal institutions, civil society, academia, international organizations, local communities, and the private and cultural sectors. Participating institutions include the Greater Amman Municipality, the Ministry of Local Administration, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, UN-Habitat, the German Jordanian University, the Jabal Amman Residents Association, and Habibi Association, alongside community representatives and other stakeholders.
The meeting reflects the wider objectives of the CLOSER – Connecting LOcal proximity networks, Sustaining participatory govERnance project, which seeks to strengthen participatory local governance by creating opportunities for residents, civil society, and local authorities to jointly identify challenges and develop community-based responses.
The project is funded by the Interreg NEXT MED Programme and implemented through a partnership involving Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Italy, Spain, and Greece, with ARDD serving as the national partner in Jordan.
