The urbanization wave is sweeping the globe. As many as 4.4 billion inhabitants, which form over 56 percent of the global population, live in urban areas today. This number is likely to rise further. By 2045, the urban population will increase by 1.5 times, amounting to six billion.
Urban-related challenges might vary in Cairo, Riyadh, New York, London and Berlin, but we know one thing for sure. These cities have embraced urban development to the fullest with mega projects.
The new capital project in Egypt, Neom in Riyadh, Times Square in New York, Berlin TXL and London Design District are reshaping the future of these cities, transforming them into people-centered, sustainable, vibrant and globally connected ones.
Urbanism wizards such as Jan Gehl, Alejandro Aravena and Janette Sadik-Khan are advocating for models that focus on people in addition to being socially sensitive. Jan Gehl, for example, recommended an influential redesign of Times Square to be a vibrant plaza with enhanced safety and livability.
People-focused
Urban development projects aim to improve the economic wellbeing and quality of life of people living and working in urban areas. This can be done by enhancing the conditions for economic growth, innovation and competitiveness, and addressing the social and environmental impacts of urbanization.
The New Administrative Capital project in Egypt underscores the goal of creating a sustainable and technologically advanced ‘smart city of tomorrow’, while Neom came to light to prioritize people and nature through creating a sustainable living and working model.
In Berlin, the TXL project aims to solve a housing problem. It will put 5,000 new homes and a sustainability-focused industrial park on the site of the defunct Tegel airport.
London is no different. To overcome being an extremely expensive city, the London Design District building was founded to build an area full of affordable workspaces.
Growth-driven
The growth that urban development projects aim to generate can be measured by numbers and milestones. Multiple factors play a pivotal role here, as the economy of every city encompasses various components. Thus, specific goals need to be achieved considering the unified global urban trends.
In Jordan, the rural population has remained at the same low level for the past 70 years. However, the urban population overtook rural figures for the first time in 1960, and this number is increasing exponentially.
Aligning with this, urban development projects focus on improving urban living by tailoring the design of residential and commercial spaces to suit the needs of residents and employees. The importance of these projects lies in their role in delivering architectural masterpieces coupled with business hubs that offer endless possibilities.
The Abdali emerged in Jordan as an urban development project that keeps pace with these local, regional and global trends. Located at the heart of Amman, it offers an example of the increasing momentum that Jordan is gaining on numerous levels, namely technology, tourism and business development.
If we talk numbers, over 500 companies and 15,000 employees are joining the momentum that has already started as international companies from different sectors such as telecommunications, electronics, technology, pharmaceutical, as well as global retail brands have established their headquarters or regional offices in The Abdali, recognizing the potential for growth and success. Companies include well-known names such as Amazon, Siemens Energy and Orange Telecom.
Improving opportunities
Aligning with the global trends, urban development projects offer opportunities to urban residents to be part of the global hype, global events and exhibitions, thanks to the conferencing services and meeting facilities.
The result will be an increase in tourism revenue, job creation in the hospitality sector, and promotion of Amman as a premier destination for both leisure and business travelers.
The success of urban development projects of this magnitude lies in the fact that they serve as a beacon of economic modernization, by attracting new investment opportunities including land acquisitions, real estate investment trusts (REIT), and acquiring multinational corporations into their ecosystem. With this contribution, The Abdali and similar urban development projects in the MENA region are transforming the region’s socio-economic landscape. In this context, it is vital to emphasize on this pivotal role which leads to economic development, job creation and urban resurgence.
Based on all that, it’s imperative to continuously improve and build on current success by leveraging advancements, adopting the smart cities approach and developing sustainability strategies.
Urban development projects are reshaping the future of local cities, which contributes in turn to the urbanism scene on the regional and global levels. By milestones and numbers, Amman is joining the global momentum of being a sustainable, globally-connected, culturally vibrant, people-centered and growth-driven city.
Amer T. Al Fayez currently serves as president and chairman of the board of directors of Abdali Investment & Development.
Before his current role, he held several senior positions within Jordan’s Royal Hashemite Court (RHC), including his most recent role as chief of royal protocol for His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan. Previously, he was in charge of protocol strategy and programs in the office of Her Majesty Queen Noor and Their Royal Highnesses Prince Hamzah and Prince Hashem Al Hussein. Additionally, he served as a diplomat at the Jordanian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
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