Local Planning Collaboration (11.4.7)

Collaboration with local authorities to ensure equitable access to affordable housing and urban services.

Introduction:

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) actively collaborates with local authorities, municipalities, national agencies, and community stakeholders to promote equitable, inclusive, and sustainable urban development.
Aligned with SDG11, AAU contributes to improving access to affordable housing, public services, cultural spaces, and sustainable urban mobility by providing expertise, participating in advisory committees, supporting planning studies, and engaging in community-centered projects.

The university’s collaboration efforts ensure that urban planning in Jordan reflects:
• equity and accessibility,
• culturally appropriate housing,
• safe and walkable public spaces,
• sustainable land-use planning,
• inclusive community engagement,
• integration of green and public infrastructure.

These partnerships strengthen AAU’s role as a national leader in evidence-based urban development.

Centers and Departments:

January
01

1. Faculty of Architecture & Design

Provides technical expertise in urban planning, housing studies, walkability, spatial justice, and community design through participation in national committees and planning workshops.

January
01

2. Sustainability & International Ranking Center (SIRC)

Ensures SDG11 alignment, supports data reporting for planning projects, and documents partnerships with municipalities and national institutions.

January
01

3. Global Engagement Center (GEC)

Facilitates coordination with international and regional authorities on urban sustainability, housing, and community planning initiatives.

January
01

4. Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research (HCASR)

Conducts applied research supporting urban resilience, environmental planning, climate-sensitive urban design, and smart-city systems.

January
01

5. Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE)

Promotes community-focused innovation, civic technology solutions, and local collaboration projects that improve access to services and sustainable urban systems.

Activities:

January
01

1. National Study Committee on Decent Housing – Faculty of Architecture Participation

AAU participated in the advisory committee for a national housing study addressing culturally appropriate, affordable, and equitable housing across Jordan.

January
01

2. “Women on the Green Path” – Community Planning & Sustainable Urban Development Workshop

A national workshop focused on community planning, women’s involvement in sustainable urban development, and equitable access to public spaces.

January
01

3. Educational Visit to Pedestrian Urban Development Project – Aqaba Southern Corniche

Students engaged with municipal development teams to analyze walkability, public space planning, and community access to waterfront services.

January
01

4. AI-Based Design Workshops for Sustainable Building Modeling

These field visits explore heritage urban districts, municipal planning challenges, and equitable access to cultural and public services.

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

A. Performance Evaluation

Structured Assessment Tools

AAU evaluates planning collaboration through:
• municipal engagement scorecards,
• partnership outcomes tracking,
• planning study review metrics,
• community-access assessments,
• stakeholder satisfaction evaluations.

2. Annual Assessment Cycles

Yearly reviews assess:
• number of collaborative planning projects,
• committees and studies AAU participated in,
• improvements to community access indicators,
• student involvement in planning activities,
• integration of research outcomes into municipal strategies.

Quantitative & Qualitative Indicators

# of urban planning collaborations annually,
• # of municipal partners,
• # of studies and workshops completed,
• community accessibility improvements,
• feedback from local authorities and stakeholders.

B. Integration with Curriculum & Community Engagement

Planning collaboration supports:
• urban design & planning courses,
• student participation in real municipal challenges,
• community-centered research,
• sustainable housing and public-service planning modules.

C. Transparency & Public Reporting

All collaborations are included in:
• AAU Sustainability Report 2024–2025
• SDG11 Executive Report
• AAU Sustainability Portal

B. Development Actions

Action 1: Municipal Collaboration Expansion Program

Formalize annual planning collaborations with local authorities in Salt, Amman, Jerash, and Mafraq.
Target: +3 new collaborations annually.

Action 2: Community Urban Planning Lab

Create a university-led hub for applied planning solutions, municipal support, and community engagement projects.
Target: operational by 2026.

Action 3: Affordable Housing & Urban Equity Research Series

Publish annual policy briefs addressing housing affordability, urban services, and local planning needs.
Target: 2025–2028 series.

Action 4: Student–Municipality Co-Design Workshops

Conduct joint design workshops to develop local public-space improvements and mobility plans.
Target: 4 workshops per year.

Action 5: Digital Urban Services & Data Dashboard

Develop a digital platform for tracking local service accessibility, urban mobility, and community planning metrics.
Target: platform public by 2027.

C. Benchmarking & Best Practice

AAU benchmarks its planning collaboration with global institutions such as:
• University of British Columbia – Community Planning Partnerships
• University of Cambridge – Local Policy Impact Networks
• University of Melbourne – Urban Research & City Partnerships
• University of Gothenburg – Municipal Sustainability Integration

Best Practices Adopted:
• community-centered urban planning
• inclusive policy development
• cross-sector collaboration
• research-based municipal support
• open-access planning outputs

Localized to Jordan’s Context:
Aligned with:
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs
• Jordan National Housing Strategy
• Jordanian urban development and zoning regulations
• AAU Local Authority Collaboration Procedure

Institutional Integration Summary

AAU’s collaboration with local authorities ensures equitable access to housing, effective public-service delivery, and sustainable community planning.
Through active partnerships, applied research, and student engagement, AAU strengthens SDG11 implementation and contributes to shaping livable, inclusive, and resilient cities across Jordan.