Wadi Amman

The Greater Amman Municipality is pleased to present this opportunity to develop lands located at the eastern gateway to the City of Amman and defined as the Wadi Amman Initiative.

In the coming weeks, GAM will initiate a transaction process to identify interested parties with the appropriate expertise and qualifications to undertake this Project, and establish a shortlist of qualified proponents who will be invited to respond to a detailed Request for Proposals.

The subject parcel of land measures approximately 40 Hectares that comprises the area of developable land in Wadi Amman located east of the Hashemite Plaza through to the Al Yarmuk interchange and bounded by King Abdullah I Street to the south and the Al Jaysh Highway to the north of the site.

The particular nature of Wadi Amman divided it into 3 zones:

	The first is Wadi Philadelphia which includes the Roman Amphitheater, the Old municipality building (rehabilitated into a boutique hotel), the Poets house and the old Raghadan terminal (rehabilitated into a commercial area which will include a public library and a hotel. This zone is an important tourist zone which will provide more accessible and comfortable tourist attraction and would link the Amphitheatre with the Citadel through a potential funicular. (Area around 9 Hectares)
	The second zone is called Wadi Raghadan and it will include mixed-use buildings and a pedestrian path. This zone will provide more commercial areas for the local businesses and more housing units that would include around 10% of affordable housing. (Area around 22.5 Hectares)
	The third zone is the Wadi AlMahatta, this zone will include an intermodal terminal and it will be issued separately as a potential investment opportunity. (Area around 14.4 Hectares)

Current assessment and massing studies demonstrate the viability of up to 475,000 square metres of development density for a mix of uses including, significant commercial density, retail, hotel and residential development. It remains the objective of GAM to maximize the development opportunity and architectural excellence as a means to revitalize the Wadi Amman. Creative design and a clear understanding of the Amman marketplace will be required in order to achieve these objectives.

The development in Wadi Amman will be based on Ammans character as a city and build on its role as a gateway from the northeast into the downtown core. Mixed use development will be implemented to maximize the efficient use of the land and its available density.

Residential and commercial uses are complemented with street level retail to encourage pedestrian traffic. Transit and transportation systems will be designed to help optimize the expected growth and development in Wadi Amman and the surrounding areas in the City. Throughout the Wadi, open spaces and green spaces are included to emphasize the natural history of the area as well as improving the quality of life of those who will live and work in Wadi Amman and the surrounding areas.

GAM will assemble all the parcels in the area of the project as well as service the lands to have them ready for development. The development in Wadi Amman will be given a broad range of flexibility to encourage innovation to achieve the Citys goal in revitalizing the downtown area and creating a pedestrian friendly with extensive street level activity around the clock.

Through the Wadi Amman initiative and together with the Master Developer, GAM wishes to accomplish the following objectives

Objectives:

The objectives of this project include the following:

	Economic Objectives
		Enhanced attraction for tourism
		Centre for economic development and growth
		Vibrant urban neighborhoods for retail and commercial activities
	Social Objectives
		Ensuring that the Urban Strip is designed, constructed, managed, maintained in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner that meets or exceeds all specified City and National standards.
		Integrated residential neighborhoods, incorporating a blend of housing types and qualities Amman is one of the fastest growing populations in the region with a projection to double in about ten years.
		Blend of market and affordable home ownership A partnership with GAM to share risks in housing development.
	Design Objectives
		Accessibility
		Sustainable design
		High quality public amenities and spaces
		Showcase for sustainable design and development
	Financial Objectives
		Obtaining value for money
		Allocating risks between the public and private sectors to the party best able to manage and mitigate them
		Maximizing financial return to the Investor & GAM

	The Wadi Amman project will revive the city center; it will create the following benefits:
		Creating a tourist attraction
		Providing new business opportunities
		Providing more housing units around 10% of it will be affordable housing
		Creating a more viable environment for the Eastern areas of Amman and linking it with West Amman.

Contact Arch. Nourhan al-Kurdi
Head of Investment Section
Greater Amman Municipality
Tel +962 (6) 476 5843
Fax +962 (6) 476 5821
Email: nourhan.ku@ammancity.gov.jo