Public Access – Green/Open Spaces (11.2.4)

Free public access to campus green spaces and recreational areas.

Introduction:

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) is committed to ensuring free and inclusive public access to its green spaces, landscaped areas, recreational grounds, outdoor seating zones, and pedestrian-friendly open environments as part of its alignment with SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

The university hosts a large network of green corridors, open plazas, pedestrian walkways, tree-lined paths, and landscaped gardens that remain accessible to students, faculty, visitors, and members of the local community throughout the year. These spaces serve as vital cultural, social, and recreational environments that promote well-being, physical activity, community interaction, and urban environmental quality.

Through the Pedestrian Access Priority Procedure and the Sustainable Building and Campus Planning Policy, AAU prioritizes walkability, environmental health, open-space usability, and community-friendly campus design. AAU also organizes outdoor workshops, green-space cultural events, and design exhibitions that make its outdoor landscape an active, accessible, and inclusive public space for all.

Centers and Departments:

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1. General Supplies and Services Department

Responsible for campus landscaping, open-space maintenance, green-area development, and ensuring safe public access to gardens and walkways.

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2. Arena Complex

Provides access to surrounding outdoor recreational areas, sports fields, seating zones, and community-friendly green environments used during events and public activities.

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3. Sustainability and International Ranking Center (SIRC)

Oversees policies related to green-space access, monitors SDG11 indicators for open spaces, and ensures transparency about campus green design and public access.

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4. Faculty of Architecture and Design

Integrates green-space planning, public-space design, and community-access principles into student projects, outdoor exhibitions, and open-air workshops held in campus gardens.

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5. Teaching and Learning Center (TLC)

Uses outdoor areas for public learning circles, group discussions, and outdoor cultural events, supporting open education in green campus environments.

Activities:

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1. Student & Community Outdoor Visits to the Southern Corniche Walkway (Aqaba)

A field trip that provided open access to a major public waterfront park — showcasing sustainable landscape design and high-quality public open space.

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2. Architectural Field Visits to Historical Open-Space Landscapes (Jerash, Jabal Al-Qala’a, Al-Muwaqqar)

These visits included access to open archaeological parks, cultural landscapes, and public historical sites, connecting students and community members with Jordan’s urban green heritage.

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3. Outdoor AI Design Workshop — Held in AAU Open Spaces

The Faculty of Architecture and Design held public workshops in AAU’s outdoor spaces, enabling community access to learning activities in healthy green environments.

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4. “Women on the Green Path” National Environmental Workshop

Promoted women’s engagement in environmental sustainability and the use of outdoor green spaces for cultural and environmental learning activities..

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5. Arena Complex Outdoor Cultural & Recreational Events

The Arena hosts open public events, outdoor exhibitions, fitness activities, and community gatherings in its surrounding green environments and pedestrian-friendly spaces.

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

A . Performance Evaluation

Structured Assessment Tools

AAU uses structured tools to assess green-space accessibility and public usage, including: • campus walkability audits,
• green-space capacity assessments,
• environmental quality surveys,
• public-space safety checklists,
• visitor and student usage feedback tools.

Annual Assessment Cycles

Annual evaluations monitor: • open-space usability,
• accessibility improvements,
• green-space health and maintenance,
• community participation in outdoor events,
• environmental comfort indicators (shade, seating, vegetation density).

Quantitative & Qualitative Indicators

Indicators include: • total green/open-space accessible area,
• number of public outdoor events hosted annually,
• community footfall data,
• satisfaction surveys,
• qualitative reflections from outdoor academic and cultural activities.

Integration with Curriculum

Findings support curriculum enhancement in: • landscape architecture,
• sustainable urban design,
• environmental studies,
• community-based planning and public-space design.

Outdoor spaces are increasingly used as open-air learning zones for workshops, exhibitions, and design critiques.

Transparency and Public Reporting

AAU publishes all open-space and environmental-access data through:
• AAU Sustainability Portal
• Sustainability Report 2024–2025
• SDG11 Executive Sustainability Report

B. Development Actions

Action 1: Green-Campus Expansion Project

Increase the total area of campus green spaces and create shaded community seating areas. Target: +10% green-space increase by 2027.

Action 2: Community Open-Space Access Program

Offer open recreational days, guided green-space tours, and public outdoor events. Target: 12 open-access green events annually.

Action 3: Pedestrian & Safety Enhancement Initiative

Improve pedestrian pathways, lighting, signage, and accessible outdoor circulation routes. Target: 100% accessibility compliance by 2026.

Action 4: Digital Green-Space Dashboard

Track environmental conditions, usage statistics, and open-space accessibility. Target: Operational by 2026.

Action 5: Municipal Green Collaboration

Partner with local authorities to develop green-corridor projects and community gardens.
Target: 3 joint projects annually.

C. Benchmarking & Best Practice

AAU benchmarks its green/open-space access model against: • University of British Columbia (Green Campus Systems)
• University of Melbourne (Landscape Sustainability)
• University of Cambridge (Public Green Access)
• University of Gothenburg (Community Public Spaces)

Best Practices Adopted

open outdoor learning spaces• walkability-first campus design
• inclusive green-area accessibility
• community environmental engagement
• transparent reporting on green infrastructure

Localization to Jordan’s Context

Aligned with: • National Green Growth Strategy
• Ministry of Environment Urban Green Planning Framework
• Sustainable Building and Campus Planning Policy
• Pedestrian Access Priority Procedure

Future Goal (by 2028)

Establish the AAU Community Green Hub, a dedicated outdoor environmental-education space for community workshops, exhibitions, and public green-learning activities.

Institutional Integration Summary

AAU promotes public access to green and open spaces through coordinated actions by the General Supplies and Services Department, Arena Complex, SIRC, Faculty of Architecture & Design, and TLC.
These units ensure accessible, safe, and vibrant outdoor environments that foster community well-being, environmental awareness, and social engagement—strengthening AAU’s contribution to SDG11 and supporting national sustainable urban development goals.