Paying due attention

Prime Minister Hani Mulki has visited the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) twice in the span of two weeks to issue new directives on how to cope with the rapid expansion of the capital city through better zoning and planning. 

The prime minister is concerned, and rightly so, about the seemingly uncontrollable growth of the city at the expense of other considerations, such as traffic conditions and the availability of green areas to separate zones and avoid congestion. 

Of course the future of Amman, which is home to practically half of the Kingdom’s population, is also the future of the entire country. 

There has been rapid increase in its population due to natural growth and the incoming refugees from Syria and elsewhere in the region. 

No amount of planning or zoning, or so it seems, can keep up with the influx of so many people into the city in search for employment and a better life. 

But more work is needed to enhance the city’s infrastructure and services.

Mulki touched upon the subject of the deteriorating traffic conditions in the city, but not much was said at the meeting with GAM officials about an urgently needed efficient transport system. 

GAM has been talking about improving the transport network to connect the main arteries of Amman for years, through projects like the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which has seen its share of hurdles but is now progressing steadily. 

However, the BRT project’s third stage, which is currently under way and entails expanding its route, is expected to take seven months. 

Other projects to establish a properly viable and organised transportation system are yet to materialise.

GAM has a Herculean task before it that may require more support by the central government. 

The premier’s initiative to give special attention to the capital’s needs by following up regularly on GAM’s progress in addressing them is commendable.