Aqaba, Apr.1 (Petra) -- The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Jordan on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote "sustainable" urban development and support evidence-based planning.
The agreement, which was signed by ASEZA Commissioner for Infrastructure and Urban Affairs, Mutasem Hindawi, and UN-Habitat Jordan Programme's Head Deema Abu Diab, establishes a cooperation framework across key areas, including data-driven urban planning and steps to enhance city resilience.
This future plan also aims to support Aqaba’s transition into a more sustainable, smart and resource-efficient city and also covers policy implementation support, assessments, and the preparation of studies and reports to better understand evolving urban needs and direct interventions toward priority areas to ensure tangible and lasting development impact.
Talking at the signing ceremony, Hindawi said the agreement aligns with ASEZA’s commitment to improving quality of life in Aqaba, in line with the Economic Modernization Vision and national priorities.
He noted the urban observatory will strengthen planning capacity and urban growth management, ensuring development aligns with the city’s economic role while improving services and living standards for residents and visitors.
For her part, Abu Diab said cities are central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, adding that the partnership will reinforce participatory, data-driven planning that reflects cities’ voices and community needs, which would ensure inclusive and responsive urban development aligned with national priorities and Jordan’s development agenda.
Establishing an urban observatory in Aqaba is a key component of the partnership, which would enhance data availability and accessibility in line with city priorities, supporting evidence-based planning and informed decision-making, with positive impacts on the delivery of essential services.
Additionally, the observatory will be integrated into ASEZA’s institutional structure to ensure sustainability and will align with international standards, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the urban monitoring framework. It will also be part of UN-Habitat’s Global Urban Observatory Network.
The partnership will further focus on strengthening institutional and technical capacities, improving coordination among stakeholders, and advancing data systems and analytical tools to better understand urban transformations and guide planning and decision-making.
It will also promote a participatory approach to urban development by engaging government entities, academic institutions, civil society and the private sector to ensure planning processes reflect the city’s needs and priorities.
//Petra// NQ
