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Completed Projects
The Ministry of Public Works and Housing is completing a series of projects in Irbid for a total cost of 14 million JD (20 million $US). Work on the Justice Palace project started last year and is scheduled for completion in June 2006. The total cost of the project is estimated at 7 million JD (10 million $US). The project consists of a six-storey building that includes public spaces, judge offices, courtrooms, and parking areas. The Yarmuk – JUST (Jordan University of Science and Technology) Road also is under construction. The road is 14 kilometers long and expected to cost 600,000 JD (845,000 $US). In addition, the 48-kilometer Irbid Ring Road project will be constructed in three phases. The road will facilitate vehicular movement in the Greater Irbid area and will be linked to the roads that connect Irbid to Amman, Ajlun, al-Shuneh, Umm Qays, Hawwara, and al-Ramtha. Phase III of the Irbid - Shuneh Road was completed for a cost of 9 million JD (12.6 million $US). Also, the Jordan Valley roads and plazas project is about two thirds completed, and is expected to cost 3.3 million JD (4.7 million $US). (Source: al-Ra'i, July 1, 2005)
The Greater Amman Municipality completed work on the Mecca / Abdullah Ghosheh streets intersection. The project consists of a two-lane, 300-meter long one-way underpass along Mecca Street, and a two-lane, one-way overpass connecting Mecca Street with Abdullah Ghosheh Street. It also includes infrastructure works relating to drainage, electricity, water pipes, etc. The project features lighting and landscaping works, as well as a mural located along the underpass. The total cost for the project was 3.34 million JD (4.75 million $US). (Source: al-Ra'i, July, 6, 2005)
Construction work on the first part of phase II of the Mausoleums Renovation project in Southern Mazar for the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs is expected to be completed before the end of 2005. This phase of the project is estimated to cost 2 million JD (2.8 million $US), while the second phase, which will begin as soon as the first is completed, is estimated to cost 240,000 JD (340,000 $US). The works include constructing roofed plazas and terraces of about 5,500 square meters, a multipurpose hall, a cultural and Islamic educational center, offices, and ablution units. (Source: al-Ra'i, July 20, 2005)
Work on the Dead Sea Museum has been halted because of a lack of funding. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities started construction work on the project in 2004. Its costs are estimated at 870,000 JD (1,225,000 $US). (Source: al-Ra'i, July 25, 2005)
The Greater Amman Municipality completed works on Basman Park. The project included renovating the existing plaza at the site, building a new water fountain, planting new trees, and installing a new lighting system. (Source: al-Ra'i, July 31, 2005)
Initiation Of Projects
Construction work started on the Abu Taweeleh Plaza located along Mecca Street in Amman. The project, which was designed by Symbiosis Designs and has been contracted to Wajih Contracting Establishment, will occupy an area of 20,000 square meters, and is estimated to cost 5.5 million JD (7.75 million $US).
Abu Taweeleh Plaza
Abu Taweeleh Plaza
Construction work started on Abu Jbara Restaurant along al-Madina al-Munawwara Street in Amman. The project, which was designed by GDAR Group, will occupy an area of 1,200 square meters, and is estimated to cost 500,000 JD (700,000 $US).
Abu Jbara Restaurant
The Ministry of Water and Irrigation signed an agreement with Ittihad Tourism Company under which the company will establish a five-star, 250-room hotel along the Dead Sea. The 10-million JD (14-million $US) project will be constructed on a 4.2-hectare area. It is expected to provide about 250 job opportunities once it is operational. (Source: The Jordan Times, July 17, 2005)
The Ministry of Public Works and Housing received a loan from the World Bank in the amount of 27 million JD (38 million $US) for funding the Amman Development Corridor project. This project also is being funded by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development in the amount of 12 million JD (17 million $US) and the European Investment Bank for 22.7 million JD (32 million $US). The project was launched in response to growing traffic congestion in Amman and to accommodate Amman's rapid growth. This project aims at developing the southeastern parts of the Amman Metropolitan Area, which have been designated as the Amman Development Corridor. The 30,000-hectare project will include a 40-kilometer long, four-lane, dual carriage highway, which also is phase I of the Amman Ring Road; the development of an Inland Port and new customs facilities; and an urban development plan for the corridor area to support residential, commercial, industrial, and public uses. (Sources: The Jordan Times, July 11 and al-Ra'i, July 20, 2005)
The Ma'an Municipality started work on rehabilitating and paving streets in the city for 150,000 JD (211,000 $US). The municipality also is implementing a number of other rehabilitation projects in the city for a total cost of 250,000 JD (352,000 $US). (Source: al-Ra'i, July 5, 2005)
A committee was formed for following up on the extension project for Jordan's primary airport, the Queen Alia Airport, located south of Amman. The committee set a work plan for the project and drafted its Terms of Reference. The consultant for the project also has been chosen. The new building will be operated on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis. The extension project will include a new passenger terminal building with an area of 60,000 square meters, thus expanding the area of the airport's passenger terminal buildings to 120,000 square meters. The expansion project aims at accommodating the expected increase in airline traffic over the next 30 years, and connecting the two existing terminal buildings, which currently are separated. The existing buildings also will be renovated. The ground floor of the new airport will be for arrivals, and the upper level will be for departures. Also, the number of departure/arrival gates will be increased, and the duty-free shop will be expanded. (Source: al-Ra'i, July 5, 2005)
The Greater Mafraq Municipality started implementing various beautification works in the city. The works include planting trees and flowers at the entrances of the city as well as in residential and commercial areas. Water-conserving plants have been chosen for this project because of their cost effectiveness and drought tolerance. (Source: al-Ra'i, July 18, 2005)
The Department of Antiquities started archaeological missions in Salt, al-Dayr Village, and Wadi Shu'ayb, all located in Jordan's al-Balqa region. The missions include carrying out archaeological surveys and documenting remains. The expected costs for the missions are 45,000 JD (63,300 $US). (Source: al-Ra'i, July 11, 2005)
Construction work started on the Social Security Corporation headquarters in Aqaba. The 6,500 square-meter building is estimated to cost 3 million JD (4.23 million $US). The project will consist of six stories and parking facilities for 40 vehicles. The construction of the project is scheduled to take eighteen months. 5,000 square meters of the building will consist of shops and will be leased out for purposes of income-generation. (Source: al-Ra'i, July 30, 2005)
Completed Designs
Symbiosis Designs completed designs for the New International Academy School for the Jordan Education Society. The school, which will be located in the King Hussein Park in Amman, will occupy an area of 33,000 square meters and is estimated to cost 16.33 million JD (23 million $US).
The New International Academy School
The New International Academy School
The New International Academy School
GDAR Group completed designs for the Media Medical and Cancer Center in Erbil, Iraq. The project was designed in collaboration with the medical planners Mikho Consultants of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The 30,000 square-meter project is expected to cost 21 million JD (30 million $US).
Media Medical and Cancer Center
New Commissions
The Consolidated Consultants – Jafar Tukan Architect were commissioned to design the Jordan Gate project in Amman for the Gulf Finance House. The project will occupy 210,000 square meters and will include two 39-story towers, one of which will be a hotel, and the other will contain offices, malls, and commercial facilities. The contractor for the project will be al-Hamad Contracting Company.
The Jordan Gate Project
The Consolidated Consultants – Jafar Tukan Architect were commissioned to design the President Arafat Mausoleum in Ramallah for the Palestinian Ministry of Public Works. The project will have an area of 6,500 square meters, and will include a mausoleum, a mosque, and landscaped areas.
The President Arafat Mausoleum
The President Arafat Mausoleum
Exhibitions
The Department of Architecture at the University of Jordan held an exhibition of graduation projects for three Italian students at the University of Napoli, and projects by university faculty members Sandro Ravone and Jan Lucka Devitto. A presentation by Ravone about the projects took place in conjunction with the exhibition. (Source: al-Ra'i, July 27, 2005)
The Department of Architecture and Arts at the University of Petra held an exhibition of graduation projects. The projects included al-Ra'i Newspaper Headquarters, the University of Petra Library, the University of Petra Administration Offices, the Jordan National Museum, a Moroccan Guest House, and the War and Peace Museum in Amman; al-'Abdaliyya Plaza and the Princess Salma Housing Project in Zarqa; the Dead Sea Therapeutic Resort; the Jarash Traditional Market; the Ma'in Springs Project; and a Cultural Center in Yemen. (Source: al-Ra'i, July 4, 2005)
The JARA Flea Market was launched by the Jabal Amman Residents Association (JARA). The market is located in Fawzi al-Ma'luf Street in Jabal Amman's First Circle area in Amman. The street is being connected into a pedestrian zone when the market is operational. The market will be held every Friday evening during the summer of 2005. It will feature kiosks that sell traditional items, food, and art works, as well as host exhibitions and cultural events. (Source: al-Ra'i, July 18, 2005)
Other News
Thames and Hudson published a monograph by author James Steele, professor of architecture at the University of Southern California, on the work of architect Rasem Badran entitled The Architecture of Rasem Badran: Narratives on People and Place.
The Architecture of Rasem Badran - by James Steele
The Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDC) chose 20 government-owned sites for establishing low-income housing projects. This is part of a larger project to provide worker and low-income housing in various parts of the Kingdom. HUDC also has initiated construction work on the Government Employees Housing in Zarqa. This project, which occupies a 200-hectare plot, is expected to cost 25 million JD (35 million $US). The project also will include supporting public facilities and services such as schools and medical centers. It will be implemented in four phases, with the first phase occupying 50 hectares and scheduled for completion by the beginning of 2006. (Source: al-Ra'i, July 4, 2005)
The Department of Antiquities and Yarmouk University carried out an archaeological survey of the newly discovered archaeological site in Wadi Bayir in southeastern Jordan. The survey uncovered a burial site that has been dated to the Thamudic period. (Source: al-Ra'i, July 7, 2005)
The Department of Lands and Survey reported that real estate transactions in the Kingdom increased during the first half of 2005. The total number of transactions was 60,556, in comparison to 53,000 during the same period in 2004. About 48% of the transactions took place in Amman; these amount to 29,274 transactions, 6,843 of which were for apartments and 22,431 were for land. In the remaining parts of the country, 1,592 transactions were for apartments and 29,690 were for land. (Source: al-Ra'i, July 27, 2005)
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