Amman taking further steps to becoming ‘resilient city’

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) is preparing a plan to transform Amman into a smart city by applying the latest advances in information technology to better serve residents, an official said on Saturday.  

The US Trade and Development Agency is funding the project and has appointed a specialist firm to provide technical assistance, which includes initiatives, action plans, executive plans and time plans of the project, Amman’s representative in the Resilient Cities organisation, Fawzi Musaad, said. 

“Those international practices will increase transparency and justice in applying laws” Musaad told The Jordan Times, noting that the final plan will be ready in three-to-six months. 

As the capital prepares to become a “resilient city”, GAM has already carried out several projects and has begun providing e-services which, though good achievements, Musaad said, are not enough, with this new plan aimed at accelerating progress.  

“Sustainability and good performance are principles that are applied in our work,” he said. 

GAM provides a range of services through mobile phone apps, including e-pay services, occupation licensing and an Amman transportation map.

While these mobile apps could save time and money, they are not widely used. GAM is conducting promotional campaigns, however, to increase their use Musaad noted. 

“E-services are really important, and we are looking to expand and ease communication with all the residents [of Amman] as we seek to serve them all,” he said.