AMMAN: Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Saturday launched the Amra City project, a large-scale urban development designed to manage long-term population growth, ease pressure on Amman and Zarqa, and create new investment and economic opportunities.
The project was launched following a directive from King Abdullah II, citing its economic, social and quality-of-life benefits and its role in supporting Jordan’s economic modernization vision through public-private partnerships, the Jordan News Agency reported.
The first phase of Amra City will be developed on 40,000 square meters out of a total area of approximately 500,000 square meters of state-owned land.
Implementation will be overseen by the Jordanian Company for Developing Cities and Facilities, with the first phase of construction expected to begin early next year and run through to 2029.
The project is not intended to serve as a new capital or administrative center, but is designed to meet future population needs, particularly in Amman and Zarqa, whose combined population could reach 11 million within 25 years if current growth rates continue, JNA added.
The city’s master plan allocates land for investment, residential, educational, commercial, industrial, service and tourism uses in line with sustainability standards.
It will be positioned as a green city, incorporating clean energy, modern technologies and public transport, and offering opportunities for youth and specialists to contribute to its development.
An advisory board of young professionals across architecture, environment, energy, transport, technology and real estate will be formed.
First-phase projects include land for productive investment, an international exhibition and conference center, an integrated sports city with an international football stadium, Olympic-standard sports facilities and a motor racing track.
Plans also include an environmental park of at least 1,000 square meters, an entertainment city, cultural venues, museums and an expansion of the Royal Automobile Museum. Commercial, service, educational and technology investment zones are also planned.
The projects will be financed through local and foreign investment and are expected to create thousands of jobs, stimulating growth in construction, trade, transport, tourism and related sectors.
Amra City will be connected to the Bus Rapid Transit system by the end of the first phase in 2029.
A partial public offering of project shares will be considered after phase one.
The site is strategically located on international highways linking Jordan with Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iraq, around 40 km from central Amman and 35 km from Zarqa and Queen Alia International Airport.
Ten percent of the land will be allocated to the Jordan Armed Forces, while an additional 20,000 square meters of adjacent land will be designated for housing development.
