Amman: Prime Minister Jafar Hassan announced plans for a new city development near Amman and Zarqa, addressing critical urban challenges facing Jordan's most populous regions. According to Jordan News Agency, the Prime Minister highlighted that approximately 56% of Jordan's population currently resides in Amman and Zarqa, a percentage expected to grow significantly over the next three decades. This concentration has created substantial pressure on infrastructure and services. "Building a new city near Amman and Zarqa, within the Capital Governorate on state-owned land, is not just an option but an urgent necessity," Hassan stated. The project aims to alleviate population pressure, traffic congestion, and rising housing costs while providing improved services and infrastructure. The new city will be designed as a smart city incorporating the latest environmental and technological innovations, including alternative energy sources. The government will prepare comprehensive plans for the initial phases during the next year, featuring modern transportation networks and creating what Hassan described as "a model urban environment with economic, social, and investment dimensions." The development will be executed through partnerships with local and international private sectors, with initial phases planned over the next decade. "We envision this project as a foundation for national partnerships, particularly with engineering and contracting sectors, while creating housing opportunities for employees and retirees across various fields," Hassan explained. Alongside the new city development, the government will continue intensive development efforts in Amman, working with the Greater Amman Municipality to update and expand the transportation system and improve service levels. "Amman will remain our beautiful capital, rooted in its history, rich in its heritage and social and cultural diversity, a beacon for Jordan and its future," Hassan affirmed. The Prime Minister acknowledged that Jordan's historical challenges wit h waves of refugees, migration, and population growth have affected development plans and created pressure on infrastructure, forcing urban planning to be reactive rather than proactive. The new city project represents a shift toward long-term strategic urban planning to address these challenges systematically. Parliament continues to evaluate this urban development vision as part of the ongoing confidence vote deliberations.