Water-Smart Landscaping

Use of drought-tolerant plants and irrigation designs that reduce water use in campus landscapes.

Executive Summary

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) has transformed its campus landscape into a model of sustainable water management through the implementation of water-smart landscaping principles. The university’s approach emphasizes the use of drought-tolerant native plants, efficient irrigation systems, and the reuse of treated and harvested water for irrigation purposes.

This initiative is guided by official sustainability documents including:

Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Procedure

Water Reuse Procedure

Building Standards for Water Conservation Procedure

Water Security and Conservation Collaboration Policy

These frameworks ensure that every green zone on campus follows low-impact, water-efficient, and climate-adapted design standards, directly supporting SDG 6.4 (Water-Use Efficiency) and SDG 15.3 (Land Degradation Neutrality), while contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action) through resilience-oriented landscaping.

Centers and Departments

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01Sustainability and International Ranking Center – Oversight and Policy Integration

Leads the implementation, monitoring, and SDG reporting of all water-smart landscaping projects. Ensures compliance with sustainability targets and documents quantitative performance results.

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02General Supplies and Services Department – Field Operations and Maintenance

Oversees the installation, operation, and maintenance of irrigation networks and plant systems according to sustainability procedures. Ensures long-term operation and environmental performance of the landscaping systems.

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03Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research – Research and Innovation

Develops pilot projects on water reuse, smart irrigation automation, and plant selection for arid climates. Connects research innovation with practical landscaping applications.

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04Finance Department – Budget Allocation for Sustainable Infrastructure

Provides financial support and budget tracking for landscaping projects aligned with SDG 6. Ensures that sustainability investment is integrated within the annual infrastructure plan.

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05Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Student Engagement Projects

Encourages student-led innovation projects focused on sensor-based irrigation and sustainable campus greening. Promotes experiential learning and community engagement in environmental design.

Activities

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01Implementation of the Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Procedure (Ongoing)

AAU applies the Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Procedure across all green areas, prioritizing native and low-water-demand plants. The initiative covers gardens around academic buildings, parking zones, and public courtyards. This ensures long-term resilience and a 40% reduction in irrigation needs.

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02Expansion of Treated Water Reuse for Irrigation (2024–2025)

Through the Water Reuse Procedure, treated wastewater from campus facilities is reused for landscape irrigation. The system supplies 100% of the university’s green zones, reducing dependency on municipal freshwater. This project demonstrates circular water economy principles.

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03AAU Organizes Scientific Day to Mark the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

Al-Ahliyya Amman University organized a Scientific Day in celebration of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, with the participation of national institutions, environmental experts, and sustainability stakeholders. The event focused on innovative approaches to sustainable land and water management, including drought-tolerant landscaping, smart irrigation systems, and soil moisture conservation techniques suitable for Jordan’s semi-arid climate. Speakers and researchers from public and private sectors shared best practices for mitigating desertification and improving campus and community resilience to water scarcity. The initiative aligns with the university’s [Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Procedure] and reinforces AAU’s leadership in environmental awareness and sustainable water use. This activity directly supports SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by promoting smart, climate-resilient landscaping practices within and beyond the university.

04Green Corridor and Eco-Garden Development (2024–2025)

As part of the Water-Smart Campus Master Plan, AAU developed new shaded pathways and eco-gardens connecting faculties. These areas use drought-tolerant trees, layered vegetation, and natural mulching to maintain moisture. This design improves aesthetics, biodiversity, and water efficiency simultaneously.

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05“Green Campus, Blue Planet” Awareness Campaign (2025)

Organized by the Sustainability and International Ranking Center, this campaign – aligned with the Water Management Education and Awareness Policy educated students and staff on sustainable landscaping and the importance of using native plants. The campaign promoted community ownership and sustainable environmental behavior.

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

Performance Evaluation Coverage: 100% of campus green areas follow drought-tolerant landscaping standards. Water savings: ~40% reduction in irrigation water use compared to 2022 baseline. Reuse efficiency: 100% of irrigation water sourced from treated or harvested systems. Biodiversity impact: 25 native plant species maintained and expanded annually. Environmental education: >1,000 students engaged in awareness and field projects since 2023.
Development Actions
Action 1: Expand smart irrigation automation to cover all campus zones. Action 2: Integrate real-time soil and weather sensors for adaptive irrigation scheduling. Action 3: Develop research projects on green roofs and vertical gardens using treated water. Action 4: Collaborate with local municipalities on urban greening and heat island mitigation. Action 5: Publish an annual Water-Smart Landscaping Performance Report with metrics on reuse, biodiversity, and carbon impact.
Benchmarking & Best Practice
Adopted Practice: Aligned with FAO’s Guidelines for Efficient Water Use in Arid Landscapes and the Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation’s National Water Strategy (2023–2040). Local Adaptation: AAU integrates native species selection, natural mulching, and treated-water irrigation systems adapted to Jordan’s semi-arid climate, reducing evaporation and runoff losses. Future Benchmark Goal (by 2028):
- Achieve an additional 20% reduction in irrigation water use.
- Expand biodiversity coverage to 40 native plant species.
- Develop a carbon-positive landscape zone powered by solar irrigation systems.
Institutional Integration Summary Water-smart landscaping is a cornerstone of AAU’s Sustainability Action Plan, managed collaboratively by the Sustainability and International Ranking Center, General Supplies Department, and Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research. The initiative connects infrastructure, environmental research, and student engagement into one ecosystem of sustainable landscape management. Through this integrated governance model, AAU not only conserves water but also enhances biodiversity, supports environmental education, and demonstrates measurable alignment with SDG 6.4, SDG 13, and SDG 15. The university’s landscape now serves as a living laboratory for sustainability, reinforcing its role as a national leader in sustainable campus development.

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