Amman, Dec. 11 (Petra) -- The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) Committee, chaired by Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh, approved the draft agreement for developing the Arab Smart Cities Forum 2030 Strategy in cooperation with the Arab Urban Development Institute.

Endorsed during the Committee's 8th regular session on Thursday, the strategy aims to define the forum’s vision, mission, institutional scope, and strategic priorities for 2026–2030.

The Committee also endorsed a draft memorandum of understanding with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) to establish a framework for cooperation and exchange of expertise, data, and technical knowledge.

The MoU seeks to enhance institutional performance, improve city services, strengthen quality of life, advance urban planning and zoning, modernize building permit systems, and support engineering, infrastructure, environmental protection, green space expansion, waste management, and the transition toward smart and sustainable cities.

Additionally, the Committee approved a draft grant agreement for the European Electric Bus Rapid Transit Project (EBRT2030) with the International Association of Public Transport.

The grant supports a feasibility study on next-generation electric BRT systems that integrate automation and smart connectivity technologies to promote sustainable urban mobility and reduce emissions, pollutants, and traffic congestion.

The Committee further allocated funding within GAM’s budget to Amman Vision Treatment and Recycling Company for ten years to support contracts with three service providers. The allocation aims to ensure high-quality environmental services, continuity of operations, and improved waste management performance.

It also approved the appointment of two GAM Council members, Jordan Engineers Association President Abdullah Ghosheh and Cesar Omar Sober, to the Central Planning Committee headed by the GAM Committee Chair. The committee oversees matters related to urban planning and zoning.

Moreover, the Committee endorsed a draft technical assistance grant agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development valued at EUR 75,000 to finance consultancy and technical support for the installation of a new engine connected to the biogas system at the Ghabawi landfill, as part of funding for constructing the site’s sixth cell.

To ensure digital transition, the Committee approved the formation of the Smart City Steering Panel for endorsing the strategic plan for smart city transformation, adopting proposed project packages, establishing policies, methodologies, specifications, and procedures, and ensuring that smart city initiatives reflect Amman’s historical and cultural character.

//Petra// AO