The second panel discussion of the "Jabal Amman: Past, Present, and Future" initiative, entitled "Environment", concluded that "the issue of environmental sustainability is one of the main challenges faced by societies, and one that requires adopting effective strategies at all levels: the individual level, the societal level, and the policy level, to protect the environment, manage natural resources, and ensure a better future for the coming generations."
The participants in the session, which was held on Monday, November 4, 2024, within the activities of the "Hope is a Picture That’s worth a Thousand Words " project, sponsored by the Swiss Embassy in Jordan, and moderated by Advisor at the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), Eng. Marah Khayyat, stressed the need for waste management and paying attention for water management in Jordan in general and in Jabal Amman in particular through a set of technological innovations, as well as enhancing community participations and youth participation in these efforts.
Addressing water management and promoting sustainable urban practices are key to ensure the resilience of the neighbourhood in the future, as environmental management in urban areas focuses on the sustainable use of resources, reducing pollution and preserving green spaces. This includes waste management, water conservation, and environmentally friendly infrastructure development. For Jabal Amman, effective and sustainable environmental strategies must be adopted to ensure the preservation of its distinctive heritage character, through initiatives that encourage recycling, proper waste disposal, and renewable energy solutions.
With regard to the water and environmental situation in the Kingdom in general and Jabal Amman in particular, Mai Al-Qusi, Water and Environment Engineer at the United Nations Human Settlements Program, stated that Jordan ranks second in the world in terms of water scarcity and per capita share, after Kuwait ranked first, which requires finding solutions for sustainable development through the construction of green buildings, the development of biological yards, the establishment of pools for water collection and rain gardens for water harvesting, and increasing community participation by all segments of society by incorporating awareness about water management into school curricula, and imposing laws to prevent wasting water through sustainable solutions.
Waste management is another important environmental issue in Jabal Amman, especially in light of the growing population and busy tourist and commercial activities. Effective waste management is essential to maintain the beauty and cleanliness of the area, while ensuring the sustainability of its social and cultural life. During the recent Jabal Amman Committee meeting, waste management was identified as a major concern, particularly in areas such as Souq Jara and Rainbow Street, where commercial activity generates a huge amount of waste.
In this context, and with regard to waste management and the importance of community initiatives to encourage residents to sort and reduce waste, environmental activist and creator of the "Zero Waste" initiative, Amal Madanat, spoke about her initiative, which was launched in 2011, saying: "I started recording and reading about all the materials I use in my life, keeping track of everything I threw in the waste bin, only to discover the negative effects of plastic products used in food and drink to health, to the environment, and to all living things." She then added: “I passed my experience on to my relatives, friends, and neighbours, but the results were not as big as I expected. However, the coincidence of having a school next to my place of residence allowed me to sort waste and collect recyclable materials with students, their mothers, and women from the local community.”
Madanat stressed the importance of focusing on the humanitarian and health aspect related to the environment, especially since the environmental and waste management concern has multiple dimensions (economic, religious, and touristic). She focused on spreading awareness about the waste sorting and collection process, saying: “Hand in hand, the new generation can make a change.”
In turn, the young participants stressed the need to support young people's ideas and initiatives in the field of environmental sustainability, as well as applying the principle of accountability at the level of individuals, society, and policies, in addition to the importance of preparing and publishing studies to identify needs, solutions, and alternatives. Participants also agreed to design and implement a waste management initiative in Jabal Amman.
