Aqaba: The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Jordan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance sustainable urban development and support evidence-based planning.
According to Jordan News Agency, the agreement was signed by ASEZA Commissioner for Infrastructure and Urban Affairs, Mutasem Hindawi, and UN-Habitat Jordan Programme’s Head Deema Abu Diab. It aims to create a cooperative framework focusing on data-driven urban planning and enhancing city resilience. The initiative is designed to aid Aqaba’s transformation into a more sustainable, smart, and resource-efficient city. It covers policy implementation support, assessments, and the preparation of studies and reports to understand evolving urban needs and prioritize interventions for impactful development.
Hindawi emphasized that this agreement aligns with ASEZA’s commitment to improving life quality in Aqaba, in accordance with the Economic Modernization Vision and national priorities. He highlighted that the urban observatory will enhance planning capacity and urban growth management, ensuring development aligns with the city’s economic role while improving services and living standards for residents and visitors.
Abu Diab stated that cities play a crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. She emphasized that the partnership will strengthen participatory, data-driven planning that mirrors cities’ voices and community needs, ensuring inclusive and responsive urban development in line with national priorities and Jordan’s development agenda.
A significant aspect of the partnership is the establishment of an urban observatory in Aqaba, which will improve data availability and accessibility aligned with city priorities. This will aid evidence-based planning and informed decision-making, positively impacting essential service delivery. The observatory will be integrated into ASEZA’s institutional structure to ensure sustainability and will align with international standards, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the urban monitoring framework. It will also be part of UN-Habitat’s Global Urban Observatory Network.
The partnership will also focus on strengthening institutional and technical capacities, enhancing coordination among stakeholders, and advancing data systems and analytical tools to better comprehend urban transformations and guide planning and decision-making. It will promote a participatory approach to urban development by engaging government entities, academic institutions, civil society, and the private sector to ensure planning processes reflect the city’s needs and priorities.