Amman Review - January 2011| Amman Institute

CITY IN
PROGRESS:

Feature
82 Global Concepts, Local Initiative
The Amman Institute for Urban
Development in a nutshell.

Progress
92 ‘A Park for Abdoun’
96 ‘The New Ras El-Ein’
100 ‘Restoring Faisal’

Spotlight
106 ‘Why So Serious?’
In 2008, the first ever Amman
Stand-Up Comedy Festival in the
Arab world burst onto the city’s cul-
tural scene, taking us all by storm;
two years and two festivals later,
the laughs just keep getting louder.

December / January 81

FEATURE

Global Concepts, Local Initiative
The Amman Institute for Urban Development (Ai) is engaging
the local community in order to foster healthy, sustainable
growth in the Kingdom.

82 December / January

Ai Staff Global Map
Without careful foresight and intuitive plan- More than a research institute, Ai classifies itself
ning, urban development can be a haphazard as a “think-and-do-tank”, developing and im-
endeavor. Physical planning efforts often fail to plementing strategies for urban governance,
meet the needs of a population, while cultural community planning and sustainable commu-
and institutional barriers can halt progress al- nity development. Within this broad realm, Ai
together, and make engaging citizens a near- tackles a number of specific issues, including
impossible task. The results of poor planning land management, physical planning, public
are easily identifiable: take a drive through policy, civic leadership, tourism development
Sweifieh, where you’ll find a congested laby- and environmental management. While the in-
rinth of one-way streets and a remarkable lack stitute’s name may not yet resonate with most,
of parking space to serve this highly commer- projects within the Amman Institute’s services
cial neighborhood. The entire area seems far include well-known urban planning ventures,
too dated for its 11-year existence, and ulti- such as the Airport Corridor Concept Plan, the
mately fails to promote a sense of community Downtown Action Area Plan, the revision of
within the space. the Aqaba Master Plan, and the Greater Irbid
Master Plan.
When the Amman Plan initiative was undertak-
en by the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) Above and beyond these physical develop-
a few years ago, the objective was clear: fos- ments, the great success of the Amman Institute
ter continued urban development that is sus- lies in its efforts to engage the local community.
tainable, efficient and engages the population According to founder and general manager of
it is meant to serve. The success of the plan Ai, Gerry Post, community involvement in the
has been quite remarkable: already, a pool of institute’s activities has been remarkable. From
experts from Jordan and abroad has been es- the business leaders to everyday citizens,
tablished to handle the logistics of the initiative, the organization is quickly giving individuals a
which in 2007 won the prestigious World Lead- sense of belonging, ownership and involvement
ership Award for Town Planning. While the Am- in the future of Amman. Ai has held a series
man Plan focuses on the growth of the city to of forums, including ones that engage munici-
2025, the foundation established in conjunction pal employees, who can help identify the most
with the plan has much broader, more long- pressing community issues. “When we enter a
term goals. The Amman Institute for Urban De- community we first organize a forum for mu-
velopment (Ai), established in 2008, gives reso- nicipal employees, and ask them, as citizens,
nance to the phrase “think globally, act locally” what they think the issues are,” explains Post.
by applying international concepts in a manner “This process also identifies the leaders with-
that reflects the local culture and environment. in that municipal administration, and we then


FEATURE

Community involvement: The Kite Mystery, a book created by Zainab Faidhi and 8 local children, will be
distributed in public schools.
approach the municipality to work with these motivate Amman’s youth to familiarize them-
leaders; it is these people that then help us fa- selves with their city at an early age. For exam-
cilitate the larger community forum. This helps ple, the Ai staff and artist Zainab Faidhi recently
rebuild the bridge between local governments teamed up with eight local children to come up
and their communities, a bridge that is often with a story about Amman. In The Kite Mystery,
broken” Quite frankly, the level of involvement two children make their way through the city
in Ai initiatives from the community has thus far in order to buy a present for their grandfather,
been unprecedented. and end up following a kite which leads them to
their grandfather. The book, which will be dis-
Engaging people, of course, is never an easy tributed in all public schools, is a unique and
task. Most individuals remain in a state of pas- innovative soft marketing tool, encouraging and
sive disengagement from their communities, fostering interest in urban development and es-
and motivating them to become involved is a tablishing a culture of citizenship. As a result,
particularly tricky task. The solution adapted by Ai is promoting community involvement that is
Ai to overcome this dilemma was simple: own- ultimately organic; growing and developing in
ership. Making citizens realize their stake in the Amman’s youth, and eventually filtering down to
city and getting them involved requires making future generations through a natural process.
The Kite Mystery’s two main characters
them feel as though their voices are not only
heard, but valued and respected. “Ownership With community interest growing, it is inevitable
transforms people’s lives, and then the plan be- that these younger generations will produce an
comes more than a document, it become a way increasing number of development-oriented pro-
of life.” explains Hania Maraqa, VP of Research fessionals. Along with community involvement,
and Outreach at Ai. Ai’s engagement the Amman Institute is hoping to continue to
strategy involves working at the neighborhood build up its staff of professionals, even after the
level, with notable success stories including the Amman Plan is completed. For employees and
Downtown area. “ We want to replicate what professionals recruited by the Amman Institute,
happened organically at Rainbow Street, it is a capacity building is a major objective. “We draw
great example of how local citizens took owner- individuals from around the world to work with
ship of their own future” Hania says, “…and it’s us - so-called ‘best practice people’ - and we
all happened through the residents themselves, then partner them with Jordanians in the same
such as Zeid Goussous, who has made a huge field,” says Hania. This mentor program is not
difference!” adds Post. In one particular com- only increasing the capacity of local profession-
munity forum in Irbid, attendance reached nearly als, but is quickly drawing back some of Jor-
1,000 citizens, including kids who turned up on dan’s most intelligent and talented expatriates,
their own accord. “They had never been asked who return with a sense of service and duty to
[for their input] before,” says Post, “and when the community. “We want to address the brain
something as encouraging as this happens, it drain problem,” Post says. “Jordanians have
changes people.” It seems that, already, com- established a strong professional cadre, but
munity interest and involvement in the future of the people are being exported. What we want
Amman and other cities is skyrocketing. to do is export the knowledge, but keep the
Children are explicitly targeted by these public individuals here in order to help Jordan grow.”
outreach initiatives. Children, teens and young With even greater vision and foresight, the in-
adults are actively encouraged to participate in stitute is increasingly making efforts to reduce
a number of workshops, and these programs this problem for future generations, engaging


“Ai is a progressive think
tank that holds the potential
to function as a regional hub
for the exchange of urban
planning knowledge”

Ai forum in Irbid

students in internship programs, and recruit- the institute. Ai is also working with the World reviewer of their new plan. This bodes well for
ing the best and brightest before they gradu- Bank Institute on the development of a anti- Jordan to become a regional knowledge hub in
ate from university. corruption training program for local officials. the urban sector. If the bandwagon is promot-
ing and fostering community development, and
With success come a number of hurdles which The Amman Institute for Urban Development healthy, sustainable urban growth, perhaps this
Ai continues to overcome. “The biggest issue has set the bar extremely high from their incep- is one bandwagon worth jumping on board. “Ai
is discipline,” says Post. “To decide on a policy tion; a risky venture for any organization look- is a unique type of organization that empowers
and stick to it is the greatest challenge.” Like- ing to maintain long-term success and continual staff and gives them a sense of ownership, deals
wise, improving on transparency and battling improvements. Nonetheless, Post has sufficient with clients as partners and works towards gen-
corruption is no easy task, either. The Amman reason to be confident about the future of Ai. “Ai uine interactions with communities, “ adds Asma
Institute hosted the Second Amman Centenni- is offering something new to Amman residents Al Khraisat, Architect and Urban Planner at Ai.
al Forum last year, under the title “Transparen- and to Jordanians that was unheard of before,”
cy in Urban Governance.” The event included he says. “But now they’ve seen it work, and “Think global, act local” may not be a new con-
a lecture from Ronald MacLean-Abaroa, the people are joining the bandwagon and we’ve cept, but it just might be what Amman needs to
former mayor of La Paz, Bolivia, whose book, attracted regional interest. We’re now actively begin growing and developing in a manner that
Corrupt Cities: A Practical Guide to Cure and helping communities in Iraq and Palestine, and benefits those who matter: its residents.
Prevention, has been translated into Arabic by most recently Dubai has asked us to be a peer ammaninstitute.com


NEWS

Amman and Quebec City selected as co-hosts of 2016 Universal Forum of Cultures
As part of its continuous effort to foster cul- sense in a quest for development that is just, Proud of Amman’s win to host the forum, May-
tural and social development in Jordan, The humane, sustainable and peaceful,” according or Omar Maani commented that the forum “is
Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) has an- to the foundation’s objectives. an event of high magnitude, locally, and on the
nounced that Amman and Canada’s Quebec Arab and international levels.” He went on to
City have been selected as co-hosts of the After being short-listed from among twenty say that having won is an opportunity to show
2016 Universal Forum of Cultures. other bidders, Amman was selected on Octo- the whole world Amman’s “charm, deep-root-
ber 4th, 2010, based on its urban regeneration ed history, cultural movements constituents,
Established in 2004 by the Barcelona City projects, its readiness to host the forum, and and its dreams, ambitions, and accomplish-
Council, the government of Catalonia and the its public transportation systems and infra- ments in all human and urban spheres,” and
Spanish government, The Universal Forum of structure, among other qualifications. Mayor
asks those concerned to unite and help make
Cultures Foundation has brought together a of Amman, HE Omar Maani thanked the board
the event “a historic moment that is worthy of
comprehensive, international network of 3,000 and credited Their Majesties King Abdullah
our Hashemite leadership, our good people,
thinkers that meet to “foster a public com- and Queen Rania, along with the government,
and our country.”
mitment to dialogue, creativity and common for the success of the bid.


NEWS

HE Omar Maani with Marshall Ganz

Organizing Communities,
One Leader at a Time
The Amman Institute for Urban Development
(Ai) invited Marshall Ganz, a lecturer at the Har-
vard Kennedy School of Government and a key
player in the shaping of Barack Obama’s recent
campaign, to conduct a training workshop and
event about community building and organizing
on June 2nd, 2010. With the goals of empow-
ering Jordan’s community leaders to excel and
triggering social change on both a small and
large scale, Ai and Ganz put together an experi-
Amman With a Plan
ence that far exceeded the expectations of its In October of 2010, Ai, the Greater Amman place in the Kingdom’s capital over the next
participants and guests. Municipality and Planning Alliance were award- two decades. The Zoning Regime emphasizes
ed the top two prizes in International Develop- the creation of landscaping, modern urban de-
The two-day training was described by its par- ment Planning from the Canadian Institute of sign, large, open spaces, parking and building
ticipants as “a life-changing experience” and in- Planners (CIP). massing as crucial.
cluded six of Jordan’s community builders and
organizers and targeted 25 of Jordan’s most The Award of Planning Excellence for 2010 At the CIP Award Ceremony in Montreal, the Ai,
active members of the community. The ses- was presented to the Amman Institute and now active in assisting communities through-
sions were carried out by a group of coaches planningAlliance for its new Zoning Regime, a out Jordan, Palestine, Iraq and Dubai, was also
from Jordan and the MENA region, who were project (due to take effect in early 2011) de- awarded with honorable mention for building
led by Nisreen Haj, a former student of Ganz signed to help Amman effectively plan for the capacity in international development.
and currently his deputy in Jordan. rapid urban growth that is expected to take

The event that followed, titled, “People, Leader-
ship and Change,” took place at the Hussein
Cultural Center in Ras Al Ayn and was attended The All New Urban
by 300 guests, including Mayor Omar Maani,
the Minister of Agriculture, top officials, and
E-Translator
many others. Ganz’s speech focused on the is- Translating technical terms dealing with urban
sues of leadership, community building, power, governance is a painstaking and often difficult
and shared values and interests. He explained and expensive task. To make this easier, Ai has
how these issues can be properly used to pro- developed an urban e-translator that now con-
mote community change, mobilization, civic or- tains over 2,000 terms - and not just technical
ganization and collective action. ones. Visit the Ai website to check it out!


Left and bottom: Hadid’s designs
for the King Abdullah II House of
Culture and Art

Below: Zaha Hadid with Mayor of
Amman HE Omar Maani

A Piece of Zaha Hadid for Jordan
You’ve probably seen her work in Germany, tersection of Princess Basma Street and Ali of Amman has further inspired Hadid to draw
London, Japan and nearly every other major Bin Abi Talib Street. The designs include an on Petra for its “interplay between architec-
city in the world. Joining that list of cosmo- educational center, several galleries, a 400- ture and nature.” The actual structure will be
politan locations is Amman; in February 2010, seat theater and a 1600-seat concert hall. located within a larger plaza, both designed
HE Mayor Omar Maani, signed an agree- with intricate and wide openings to create
ment with critically acclaimed ‘starchitect’ Taking inspiration from Petra as an oasis and both a sense of welcoming and grandeur.
Zaha Hadid to produce working plans on the sanctuary, Hadid’s design hopes to highlight
planned ‘King Abdullah II House of Culture the role of the future performing arts center Construction is scheduled to begin in 2012.
and Art.’ The new performing arts center will as a hub of contemporary culture in Jordan. History in the making!
be located near the downtown area at the in- The location of the venue in the central valley


NEWS

Doing Its Part
To do their part in minimizing the negative im-
pact they have on the Earth’s climate, The Am-
man Institute for Urban Development (Ai) is in
the process of rolling out a new initiative under
its Sustainable Development (SD) Sector called
the Carbon Neutral Initiative. Its mission is to
explore ways of making Ai more climate-friendly
and environmentally sustainable, and to devel-
op a climate-neutral approach to its premises
and operation. To accomplish this task, Ai is
Ai and Waterloo University Join Forces taking every measure it can to implement inno-
vative and responsible environmental practices
Urban planning has become a central feature of across the organization.
development in Amman as population growth
Carbon footprinting, a problem that is becom-
continues to put a strain on the country’s infra-
ing more serious and garnering more attention
structure. Urban planning lies at the heart of de-
today than ever before, is a measure of the im-
veloping the economy, housing, sanitation, and
pact (in terms of greenhouse gases produced)
transportation sectors of any city. It affects the
human activities have on the environment. Ai
lives of the population and their diverse needs
plans to reduce its use of non-renewable en-
and aspirations must be taken into account. Ai ergy sources, replace fossil fuels with sustain-
has teamed up with two professors from the able energy sources, and absorb carbon di-
University of Waterloo to find out how the Am- oxide to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide
mani public is taken into consideration during that it emits. By initiating this sustainable cul-
urban planning projects in Jordan. The study has taken the form of online surveys and fo- ture, achieving its own objectives, and training
aims to be a major part of a larger research cus groups designed to engage a range of lo- its employees in the actions necessary to “go
project on development and urban planning in cal citizens from different social and economic green,” Ai hopes to help other organizations in
the Middle East. So far, Ai and Waterloo’s study backgrounds. Jordan to do the same.

Ai Looks South to Aqaba!
Since its inception, the Aqaba Special Economic
Zone Authority (ASEZA) has been tasked with
the development of the city not only as a tourism
destination, but also as a business and technol-
ogy hub - propelling ASEZA to develop and re-
lease the Aqaba Master Plan in 2002.

Since its release, a range of factors have af-
fected the development of the Aqaba Special
Economic Zone since the announcement of
the 2002 Master Plan. As a result, and in order
to bring into sharper coherence the long-term
development plans of Aqaba with the local, na-
tional, and regional contexts that structure such
development, Ai has been working with ASEZA
to revise the 2002 Master Plan and has begun
formulating an implementation strategy. Of inter-
est to many of those involved and the general
public, this process includes a conceptual de-
sign of downtown Aqaba as well as the water-
front as strategic locations.


Use and Reuse
In its continuous effort to do its part in pre-
serving the environment, the Amman Institute
for Urban Development (Ai) and the Jordan
Environment Society (JES) have signed an
agreement to begin recycling paper. To ad-
here to the standards of environmental, eco-
nomic, and social sustainability, Ai and JES
have come together in a partnership that not
only benefits them, but also their communi-
ties and country at large.

Under the agreement between the socially
conscious organizations, Ai is to provide JES
with paper waste on a regular basis. In return,
JES will implement a regular environmental
awareness program for Ai employees. JES
provides Ai with a free, annually-renewable
membership at the society, invites the in-
stitute to participate in its many activities,
provides it with regular reports about the
amounts of refuse paper and its conditions,
and returns back the recycled paper at the
end of each year to be used again.


PROGRESS

A Park for Abdoun
In the heart of Abdoun, sitting among the shops that surround Ab-
doun Mall and encased by greenery, this new park lies within an
active commercial zone where high-end retail shops, restaurants
and energetic cafes actively operate. by Lena Ghannam


Installed at the heart of a bustling neighbor- undeniable contrast - albeit a beautiful one -
hood, Abdoun’s new park - one of the Greater with its surroundings.
Amman Municipality’s latest and greatest ef-
forts - aims to be the perfect green spot to re- Flanked on all sides by thriving shops, restau-
lax and catch your breath. It’s been hard not to rants, gyms, hair salons and coffee shops, park-
notice the modern, assymetrical structure that ing has inevitably become a major hindrance to
has gone up in the middle of one of Abdoun’s accessing the amenities of the area. One of the
busiest commercial districts. The building sits most fantastic aspects of the creation of the
in the midst of Asian-inspired landscape de- new park is that its plans include a dire solution
signs; flowers, grass, and greenery create an to the area’s parking congestion - a problem


PROGRESS

Commissioned in cooperation with the Japanese Embassy, the Icabana Club and the JICA Institution, the park’s creation will lend color, vibrancy and a soothing
element to the commercial district in which it lies. Above: (L) Crisscrossing pathways lined with benches surround the modern Asian-inspired architecture of the
on-site amenities building (R) Expansive green lawns cover the park’s grounds, injecting the area with eco-friendly and aesthetic benefits

Designed as a traditional Japanese park, visitors will find water, rocks, plants, and a bridge among the abundant horticulture. Above: (L) Details on park benches
and pathway lighting have been attended to carefully, creating a thoughtful and beautifully designed space that stands out from other locations in the city (R)
Abdoun Park stands out as a modern oasis amid the sand-stone brick buildings of the surrounding area

most of us in Amman face, particularly in this In addition to the numerous uses Abdoun Park
bustling sector of Abdoun. This problem has will provide to the community, considerable ex-
been faced head-on in designing the new park, panses of green lawn are set at various levels,
and as part of its functional use the park affords providing raised areas above the noise of the
a large number of below-ground and street street - affording visitors a green, relaxing spot
parking for both park-goers as well as the pub- to enjoy. Increasing the level of greenery in Am-
lic. Furthering the functionality of the park is an man is a priority, and GAM is furthering their
on-site cafeteria and a branch of the Housing commitment to create an increased awareness
Bank; ultimately creating a well-rounded expe- of the importance of green spaces throughout
rience for park visitors, local patrons and those the city; Abdoun Park is a prime example of
who work in the surrounding area. that dedication.


Above: As the greenery matures and the trees and shrubbery expands, the park will provide shady areas for family outings, long walks, lunch-breaks, reading -
among other numerous activities

The project’s design provides full accessibility
along its major pathways, taking into account
the needs of the disabled – an issue that most
residents of Amman know is rarely addressed.
The park is also fully pedestrianized, with at-
tractive diagonal pathways cutting across the
lawns and providing access to any of the four
main entrances which lead to all corners of the
busy shopping district; creating an attainable
oasis for the outside shopper and a convenient
commercial access point for the visitor within
park walls.

Abdoun Park successfully marries the much-
needed elements of a place to unwind and
take a walk, with the need for greenery among
the stone buildings that populate the majority
of neighborhoods and landscapes in Abdoun
(and the city as a whole). Soon to be open to
the public, the park will definitely be a happy
Unlike any structure in Amman, the on-site amenities building can be seen as a nod to the city’s fast-pace addition to Abdoun and to anyone who passes
progression into the modern era through, looking for a place to breathe.


PROGRESS

One Crafty Market
Ras El-Ein Crafts Market is a continuous carnival celebrating Jor-
danian cuisine and delicacies, coupled with a showcase of food,
related crafts, music and fine arts.


The Ras El-Ein Crafts Market - a carnival, for gize the market for the benefit of the city and
tourists and locals alike - displays authentic its citizens.
Ammani life after the electrification of the city in
the late 1930s. Hoping that the 1,720,000JD The flexible design includes the Electric-
restoration project will revitalize the market ity Hanger and the Workshops Building. The
and create renewed value on an old cultural former is made up of “three longitudinal hori-
asset, the Municipality of Amman is commited zontal layers of movements and functions,”
to economically and developmentally re-ener- one of which houses shops, cafes, and res-


PROGRESS

taurants. Another elevated layer tells the story
of the area, and the third is an open space
that can be used for exhibitions or flea mar-
kets, among other uses.

The Workshops Building, meant to provide
learning opportunities for its visitors, was ar-
chitecturally modeled after the original design
of the building that used to stand in that loca-
tion, respecting the significance of the place
and sustaining its industrial character.


PROGRESS

Restoring Faisal
Holding memories of a past generation, the Faisal area is arguably the keeper of Amman’s modest begin-
nings. Now fallen from its former glory, the city of Amman is already on task to bring Faisal into the 21st
century and reclaim its position as the beating heart of the city . . . reminding Amman’s residents of its glory
days - those past, and those on the horizon.


FAISAL’S GOLDEN DAYS:

Faisal as the main financial
hub in Amman
During the mid-20th century, the main headquar-
ters for the banks in the country were located
in Faisal and Shabsough. But even before that,
Faisal was also considered to be the main finan-
cial hub within the city. The oldest bank in the
city, the Ottoman Bank, was located in Faisal,
and was followed by Al Masraf Al Zirahe’. Today
the Arab Bank, together with other banks such
as Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, and Al Urdon are all located
there. The place is blessed with a sense of secu-
rity, especially with the relationship between the
banks on one hand and the Souq al Dahab on
the other - which also represents another signifi-
cant financial symbol of the city.

Faisal as the beating
heart of the city
Faisal was not only the physical meeting point of
all residential mountains within the city, but was
also the administrative and economic center
of the city. It was the home to several public
buildings such as the Post Office, the Ottoman
Bank, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of
Justice, the Amman Municipality, and the police
center. More recently, several of these organi-
zations no longer exist or have moved to other
places in Amman, but there was a time when
Faisal really was the beating heart of the city.


PROGRESS

Narrating everyday life
The myriad stairways of Amman were the earlier
urban communal spaces in the city; they defined
neighborhood limits and provided diverse ac-
cess to the downtown area - namely to Faisal
Street. Mainly used for residential access, they
also supported commercial activity as they led
to shopping districts across downtown. The
steps stitched Faisal with the residential hills on
the slopes of the 7 mountains flanking the down-
town area.

Emergence of a distinctive
Ammani residential narra-
tive in Faisal
People used to live in Faisal. The early settlements
carried the names of Circassian tribes such as the
Mahallat of Shabsough, Qabartai, and Abzagh.
Master builders had built significant traditional
houses in Faisal. What is most fascinating is the
transformation of some of these houses - which
used to serve as political meeting grounds - into
coffee houses such as Balat al Rashid; once the
house of political figure Wasfi Mirza Pasha, it was
converted into a coffee shop in 1924. Another
house in the Faisal area inhabited by the Circas-
sian Turk family was turned into Hotel Baghdad al
Kabeer. Famous residents of the downtown area
include people such as Mohammad Ali Bdair,
Fahmi al Zaeem, and Abdel Fattah Malhas just to
name a few.


Old urban professionals
At the end of the day, it was these urban
dwellers and individuals who today grant
meaning to places such as Faisal and who
make its urban memory come alive. Unfor-
tunately, the multi-layered beginnings of the
city have not been fully - or even partially
- narrated yet. The city is definitely under-
studied and there is a crucial need for more
critical analysis of its diversity and evolu-
tion. Amman needs to celebrate its diverse
beginnings by granting a voice to the roles
of urban individuals, merchants and their
respective businesses.

Regional mobility and
connections
Faisal Street, along with other similar places like
Sahet al Marje in Damascus or Martyrs Square
in Beirut, used to be the place of connection
between cities within the Bilad al Sham (Levant)
region. Not only did these places have a lot in
common - as all were transportation hubs from
where one could take a car to Damascus, Bei-
rut, Amman or Jerusalem - but these places also
housed a lot of hotels and cafes signaling an ac-
tive relationship and mobility within the region in
the middle of the 20th century. Waiting for the
Taballat Company buses, which took travelers
from Amman to Palestinian towns was a common
scene near Faisal. These different places not only
qualified the concept of Bilad al Sham at the lo-
cal level but also provided the medium for sharing
ideas and political views, migration, and trading
commercial goods within the region.


PROGRESS

Narrating guilds and com-
mercial networks at Faisal
Faisal hosts a wide array of commercial trades;
everything ranging from textiles to banking to jew-
elry to bookshops and electronics - it can all be
found there. It is very important to understand the
different networks between these diverse profes-
sionals. For example, it is well known that family
ties and networks prevail in the production and
selling of jewelry. The profession dictates this
network since the main patron is typically unable
to depend on non-relatives for security reasons.
Some of these families include Suradi, Abu Sara,
Sakijha, Kalha, Jabasini and Imseeh.


WHAT’S NEXT FOR FAISAL?
Urban emancipation
Urban emancipation will transform Faisal from an urban space that is losing its economic vitality
and symbolic - as well as actual - value into a vibrant urban space that is energetic and con-
stantly active. Currently, the Faisal area is dominated by traffic and visual pollution. When these
issues are addressed, Faisal will be restored as an environment suitable for both vehicles and
pedestrians and it will once again assume its role and symbolic significance in the city.

Traffic impact & pedestrian safety
GAM is aiming to refresh the commercial movement in the area, and to aid that goal plans are
underway to develop a street design that caters to pedestrians’ ability to navigate the area while
allowing drivers to pass through unobstructed. This is in order to ensure the safety and ease of
movement for both.

Clearing visual pollution
In order to restore the integrity of the classic architecture and stone that is a hallmark of the
buildings in the Faisal area, new regulations will be implemented in order to highlight the unique
quality and beauty of the storefronts, antique signs and the historic buildings.

While the restoration of Faisal is an important undertaking for the city of Amman, as it stands today
the area still holds a great deal of its charm - how could it not? It’s built into the walls of every building,
permeating the area. GAM’s aim for this historic location is to restore and enhance the streets and the
walls themselves to let that charm shine more brightly than ever before.


SPOTLIGHT

Why So Serious?
In December 2008, the first ever Amman Stand-Up Comedy Festi-
val in the Arab world burst onto the city’s cultural scene, taking us
all by storm; two years and two festivals later, the laughs just keep
getting louder. by Lena Ghannam

Behind the scenes, the Greater Amman Munici-
pality - directed by HE the light-hearted Mayor
Omar Maani (who knew?) - went all out and
made 2010’s festival bigger (and funnier!) than
any other stand-up act that’s landed in Jordan
so far. Any one of the thousands of attendees
noticed that this year’s line-up took a hilariously
steroidal turn.

Dousing the (typically very, very tense) popula-
“Every building in Amman [is] tion of Amman with a much needed hysterical
the exact same color. Is there release, the festival brought a troop of side-split-
a ‘style embargo’ I wasn’t told ting comedians to the Al-Hussein Cultural Cent-
er - the likes of which included not just Jordanian
about?” Brian Scott McFadden and Arab talent, but foreign laugh-masters as
well – notably, world renowned comedians Dean
Obeidallah, Omid Djalili and Gabriel Iglesias.

With any luck, the Amman Stand-Up Comedy
Festival will be a jumping off point for hopeful
local and regional comedians by giving them
a place to not just express themselves, but to
make the overwrought public wet themselves
with laughter. But also self-expression, that’s im-
portant too.

REVIEW:AMMAN was thrilled (not to mention
giddy with laughter!) to interview some of the
festival’s heavy-weight headliners to get their
deep thoughts on our city, the people in it, and
the boundless merits of comedic therapy:


SPOTLIGHT

REVIEW:AMMAN: So, most of you
haven’t been to Amman before.
Welcome! We’ve loved having you guys
here . . . in that spirit, tell us what you
loved about being here.
Did anything take you by surprise?

Brian Scott McFadden: One thing I hadn’t ex-
pected was that every building in Amman would
be the exact same color. Do they have paint over
there?! Is there a ‘style embargo’ I wasn’t told
about? I’m just sayin’. Also, I didn’t expect to
find every American movie ever made available
on DVD in Amman - even films that haven’t been
made yet! It’s like some kind of Illegal copyright
time machine over there!
RA: Ammanis have come to be very val is because of the amazing support the au-
passionate about their stand-up comedy, diences have shown all the comedians.
Gabriel Iglesias: Everyone was so helpful and
friendly. I was expecting everyone not to be
for good reason. Did you pick up on that?
so welcoming to an American entertainer, but What did you think of the audiences and DE: The ASCF, in comparison to other renowned
of the ASCF in general? festivals that I’ve done, stands up there along
it was the complete opposite. Now, I’m telling
with the rest. The staff was courteous and profes-
everyone how great Amman is.
BSM: I didn’t think that my relationship material sional doing everything to ensure that I was able
would get the remarkable response it did. Yes, to concentrate on the task at hand - to give the
Dean Obeidallah: The thing I like the most
it’s true that women baffle men the same way all audience the best show, possible. The crowds
about Amman is the people. Their hospitality is
over the world! I loved the fact that the crowds were awesome! They were extremely responsive
amazing. Often people I’ve just met at the come-
seemed to really appreciate the comedy so and attentive which made performing so much
dy festival will invite me to lunch or dinner at their
much. In America sometimes they see so much easier and the atmosphere more relaxed. Ku-
house - in fact, they almost demand that I go! I
comedy the crowds aren’t always attentive, but dos to the staff for arranging what might be the
also like the energy of the city; it isn’t overwhelm-
they seemed to really hang on every word in Am- most organized & fun meet and greet with the
ing like Cairo, or too sleepy like small towns in
man and they got jokes I wrote that I’m not even audience that I’ve ever experienced. It was easy
the US. Instead, it moves at a great pace, at
sure I understood! to reciprocate the gratitude to the audience be-
least for me. The first time I came to Amman I
cause of the personal one-on-one time we had
was surprised by the drivers entering the circles,
with those who waited patiently in line, however
I was petrified! But now I’m used to the organ-
ized chaos of Amman traffic.
“Comedy can be divine – so brief that time might have been.
much more moving than funny”
ESJ: The ASCF was enlightening. Three years
Dean Edwards: I think what I appreciated most Omid Djalili
in and they work like a well-oiled machine. They
about my time in Amman was how hospitable
GI: [ASCF] was a very surreal experience. I’m have seminars now! Very cool! The comedians
and friendly everyone was to our party. From the
a very popular guy back in North America, but were all very talented and the audience was
staff of the festival to the people at the hotel and
here it was at a whole new level. People were great because everything was so new to them.
just everyone in general, I always sensed a level
so excited to take pictures [with me] and shake They were all wide-eyed and hungry for good
of supreme hospitality and warmth; which is re-
my hand. Meeting HRM King Abdullah was also comedy.
freshing, especially coming from New York City.
I travel internationally quite often, and so I don’t a testament to how great things went. I have
yet to shake the hand of any American leaders. OD: The festival was very well organized and
have preconceived notions of different regions
impressive considering it’s the only comedy
when traveling abroad. I didn’t really experience
DO: I truly enjoy being part of the festival and festival organized by the municipal authorities
anything unexpected in Amman ... except for
am honored that the Mayor asked me to serve in the Middle East. I love the fact it’s “fam-
when a young lady asked me to break-dance.
as the festival’s executive producer. It has been ily friendly” too; I’ve always thought comedy
[That] let me know that she DID have a few pre-
a great experience for me, and truly one of the should be for all and not just for adults. By
conceived notions of me. LOL!
highlights of my [15+ years] comedy career. being careful about the choice of material it
The audiences in Amman have consistently stretches one’s creative capacities instead of
Edwin San Juan: I enjoyed the hospitality of the
been great laughers. It’s even more amaz- limiting them. This is a significant contribution
people. Everyone was so polite and welcoming
ing when you consider the reputation that the East can make to the world - keeping it
and I didn’t expect the food to taste so good!
Jordanians have for being so serious! All the funny but also appealing to a more diverse
comedians from the U.S. who perform at the audience, instead of the usual comedy club
Omid Djalili: What’s there not to like? First off,
festival are stunned by the amount of laughter crowd we see in the UK and America.
the food is utterly exceptional. Had I stayed an-
other few days they would have needed a winch and support our audiences show them. These
and a crane to get me on to the plane . . . and of comedians go back [home] telling the other RA: Ok, so you guys are comedians by
course, the hospitality. What I hadn’t expected comedians about the great crowds, which has trade and are always looking for new
was meeting medical doctors studying to be- made even more comedians want to perform
at the [ASCF]. I can say honestly that one of
jokes. Did you pick up any new material
come stand up comedians, not professionally
but to help them become better doctors! the main reasons I enjoy working on the festi- in Amman? Any funny incidents?


BSM: They kept leaving stuffed camels in my
room. I think I got 7. I’m not sure if the guy
who was in charge [of the hotel] has that thing
from the movie ‘Memento’ where he didn’t re-
member that he left one the day before, but
every day was a new one. It was like Ground-
hog Day meets Lawrence of Arabia - I ended
up with 6 or 7!

GI: While shopping for a dress shirt a salesman
measured me by hugging me instead of using a
tape measure to determine my size. The funny
thing was that his measurement was correct
and found me a shirt that fit!

DO: It happened when I first arrived at the ho-
tel and I walked through the metal detector. It
beeped and the security guard looked at me
and at all the bags I was carrying and honestly
asked, “Do you have any bombs or guns?” He

Jordan’s Own
looked disappointed when I said, “No.”

DE: The funniest thing that happened to me in
Amman was going to Petra and having some It’s rare to come across an Ammani who hasn’t sharpened my wits. When you’re dealing with
of the tour guides begin quoting lyrics and lines heard of Nabil Sawalha. Presiding as our co- people with a lot of experience, you have to
from popular rap songs to me. It was interesting medic claim to fame, Sawalha has consistently come up to standard. It doesn’t matter that
to me to have them attempt to relate to me via been on the Jordanian cultural scene parodying my performance was in Arabic and that I’m
our country’s idiosyncrasies with wit and style. perhaps the most experienced comedian
“The audiences in Amman have This year’s ASCF featured an entire evening in Jordan, there’s still a standard. It was all
consistently been great laughers” dedicated to showcasing rising and aspiring the young Jordanians who were performing
Jordanian comics with Sawalha at the helm. with us (and a Saudi comic) who came up to
Dean Obeidallah
Acting as both a mentor and friend, he took standard that night.
Tupac lyrics. As I said, some folks DO have their the time off from preparing his own set to MC
preconceived notions and it struck me as funny the event and help develop the young comics’ RA: What are your thoughts on emerging
because I’m more Coltrane than Tupac. LOL! talent; working with them on everything from local comedic talent?
diction to setups. Here’s his insider’s view on NS: The whole event for young Jordanians
ESJ: The whole time I was here people kept stand-up standards and the future of our (awe- that I MC’d was excellent. None of them
asking me for towels! Everyone thought I was a some) local comedians: failed and some of them were very good. A
hotel worker and when they saw me by the pool, lot of young people don’t want to be lum-
they were looking at me like I was going to get REVIEW:AMMAN: What do you think bered with the politics of Jordan, so they’ve
in trouble. LOL! surprised this year’s crowd about the found a new outlet for their social frustra-
line-up of comedians and vice versa? tions. Also, there was no censorship apart
OD: What I hadn’t expected was finding out that Nabil Sawalha: Some of the comedians are from our own sense of right and wrong.
a young man who had been suffering from clini-
originally Arabs so [audiences] are extremely They were also all commenting on social is-
cal depression got slowly better when exposed
surprised - especially the young audience sues; no sex or fart jokes – because these
to clips of me doing comedy on YouTube. I re-
members - at how they’re from all societies are easy subjects – just intelligent and funny
ally worried about the results but apparently he’s
and countries. As for comedians, the worst social commentary.
fine. He does the odd Godzilla impression now
and again, but only when he doesn’t like the thing is to perform to an unintelligent audi-
food in restaurants. They say one of the names ence, because they just won’t get it, and Am- RA: What do you think of the ASCF in gen-
of God is “the Humorist.” It’s incidents like this man gave us a great laugh. eral, and the audience? How were the reac-
that showed me how comedy can be divine – tions and interactions from the audience?
so much more moving than funny. Otherwise ... RA: Do you think this year’s festival was NS: It went brilliantly. The choice of comedi-
making friends with overweight Arab men at the better than the last? ans was a good cross-section culturally and
Dead Sea who, when seeing I had salt water in NS: The comedic competition was good; it the audience was laughing a lot.
my eyes, kept singing Arabic pop songs to dis-
tract me and cheer me up. Now that was funny.
Following the recent announcement that Amman has The 3rd Amman Stand-Up Comedy Festival was made
You know, they say laughter is the best medicine. been named co-host of the Universal Forum of Cul- possible with the support of its Valued Partner, the MBC
tures 2016, alongside the City of Québec, the festival Group, Platinum Sponsor Royal Jordanian, Gold Sponsors
Not to say that Ammanis are ill, but it’s probably
- and its close collaboration and partnership with the Grand Hyatt Amman Hotel and Comprehensive Multiple
wise to try and find a cure for all this seriousness NY Arab-American Comedy Festival - has no doubt Transport Company, Silver Sponsor Abdali, Bronze Spon-
floating around town. GAM’s two steps ahead it contributed to making Amman an important destination sors Zain, Events AVP and Advize Grey, Media Sponsors
seems, so keep it coming! We think it’s working. for stand-up comedy and enhancing the city’s cultural Hawa Amman, Omnia Media, Seagulls and our very own
Isn’t it? LOL. offerings as a whole. REVIEW:AMMAN.


SPOTLIGHT

MEET THE ASCF COMEDIANS

Dean Obeidallah is a former attor- Omid Djalili is an actor and come- Gabriel Iglesias is a Long Beach- Brian Scott McFadden is a New
ney tuned comedian. In addition to dian born and raised in Kensington, based actor and comedian. After York-based actor and comedian. He
being an executive producer of the London. His first comedy show, filming his comedy special ‘Hot & debuted on The Late Show with David
Amman Stand-up Comedy Festival, performed in 1995, was I’m a Short Fluffy,’ Gabriel performed ‘I’m Not Letterman and followed that up with
he is the co-creator/producer of Fat Kebab Shop Owner’s Son. In Fat . . . I’m Fluffy Live in El Paso’ on an appearance on The Late Late Show
comedycentral.com’s internet series 2001, he was given the Time Out Comedy Central in 2009. The show with Craig Fergusson. Brian’s film ap-
The Watch List, featuring an all- Comedy Award for Best Standup. is expected to be released on DVD pearances include Ice Age II, Robots,
Middle Eastern cast of comedians. He co-starred with Whoopi Goldberg in 2011. His comedy appearances Unspoken, and Legally Dead. He was
Dean has appeared on The Axis of on NBC’s Whoopi. Omid’s theatrical include NBC’s Last Comic Stand- also the voice of the Budweiser Talking
Evil television special, which aired appearances include The Mummy, ing, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Tonight Monkey in the 2009 Bud Light Super
on Comedy Central and Showtime Gladiator, Spy Game, Pirates of the Show with Jay Leno, and ABC’s My Bowl Commercial. He has performed
Arabia, as well as ABC’s The View, Caribbean III, and Sex and the City Wife and Kids. His dramatic appear- stand-up at Caroline’s, Comic Strip,
CNN’s Inside the Middle East, PBS’s 2. He also stars in film The Infidel and ances include Showtime’s Resur- Stand Up New York, The Improv LA
Newshour with Jim Lehrer and Al- co-stars in NBC’s The Paul Resier rection Boulevard as well as the and The Comedy Store.
Jazeera’s Min Washington. Show, both of 2010. independent films El Matador and
The Surfer King.

Motaz Attalla is a Cairo-based Sherry Davey is a New York-based Aron Kader is a Hollywood-based Dean Edwards is a comedian who’s
comedian and writer. His most actress and comedian. She was actor and comedian currently per- career was launched by two seasons
notable performances include recently named one of the Hollywood forming at The Comedy Store. He as a cast member of Saturday Night
Comedy Rumble and the Todo Reporter’s Magnificent Seven and spent several years in The Ground- Live. His other appearances include
Comedy Weekend, both Cairo- lings Theater eventually becoming Showtime’s Comics Without Borders
voted one of Improper Magazine’s
based events. In 2009, Motaz was a member of the Sunday Company. and the development of the charac-
Top Ten Comedians in New York.
a resident artist at Amman’s Darat Aron is a founding member of The ter of Donkey for Dreamwork’s Shrek
Sherry is a founding member of the
al Funun. He is also a co-author Axis of Evil Comedy Tour, which the Musical on Broadway. More
of Needles to Rockets, a com- traveling show “Mama’s Night Out” debuted on Comedy Central in recently, Dean worked on Dream-
pilation of oral histories of iconic and appeared on the first and sec- 2007. He has been featured on work’s Scared Shrekless, which aired
mid-to late twentieth-century ond season of Nick At Night’s Search NPR, CNN, Newsweek, Time, and on NBC in October 2010 and he will
consumer products, such as Nasr for the Funniest Mom in America. the Wall Street Journal. His televi- appear in the upcoming independ-
Cars, Rocket Chocolate and Savo sion appearances include Comedy ent film April Fools. He also plans to
Detergent. Central’s Premium Blend and FX release a DVD in the near future.
Networks’ The Shield.


Edwin San Juan is a Los Angeles- Nabil Sawalha is an Amman-based Ola Roshdy is an Egyptian actress Larry Omaha is a comedian
based actor and comedian. He is actor, comedian and radio personal- and comedian. She discovered her of Yaqui Zapotec origins. His
the creator and executive producer ity renowned for his satirical writings passion for performance during pri- television appearances include
of Slanted Comedy, a Showtime and performances. He helped found mary school when she won a “story Showtime’s Goin’ Native Comedy
series featuring Asian American the Jordanian National Theater tell-a-thon.” Ola has appeared in Special, Comedy Central’s Mind of
stand-up comedians. Edwin has and is co-founder of The Nabil and several Egyptian comedy films and Mencia, Entertainment Television’s
appeared on Comedy Central’s Hisham Comedy Theater. Nabil starred in major sitcoms, TV series, Comics Unleashed, and Fox’s
Life at Gotham, Showtime’s Com- was also commissioned by HRM and comedy shows. Culture Clash. Larry has also co-
ics without Borders, The Payaso the late Queen Alia to establish the starred in several films including
Comedy Slam, ABC’s Comics Un- Princess Haya Cultural Center, which The Black Out, Tenth Day, and Tri-
leashed, BET’s Comic View and Si he directed until 1993. He currently angulation. He has also recorded
TV’s Latino Laugh Festival. His first hosts Mazaj FM’s daily show Nashret voiceovers for Discovery Channel’s
film appearance was in I’m Not Like Ghaseel and is a certified Laughter How the West Was Lost and the
That No More (2010), a comedy Yoga Leader. videogame Mortal Kombat 9.
co-starring Felipe Esparza and
Paul Rodriguez.

Mohamed Salem is an Egyptian Meena Dimian is New York- Omar Elba is a comedian originally
Mohammed “MO” Amer is a
comedian. He was a participant based actor and comedian. He from Alexandria, Egypt. After win-
Houston-based comedian. He is
in both Damascus’ First Com- currently hosts NYC-TV’s Emmy- ning two Los Angeles stand-up
the writer and performer of Allah
edy Night, Syria’s first stand-up nominated CityScoop and Abu competitions, he was booked as a
Made Me Funny – The Official Mus-
event, and the first Arabic night regular at the Haha Café in North
Dhabi 1’s Zahret Al Khalig. He lim Comedy Tour, which followed
of the New York Arab American Hollywood. Omar can be seen on
played the lead in the 2008 NY on the success of his comedy
Comedy Festival. Mohamed has Showtime beginning in February
Fringe Festival’s feature ‘Mean- special, Legally Homeless: Trials of
appeared on Moga TV’s Moga 2011 as part of a show entitled
while in Baghdad.’ Meena’s a Refugee. Mohammed’s appear-
Stand-Up and was the winner of Legally Brown, which is set to air
appearances include Comedy ances include BBC and CNN.
the 2009 online competition Be 35 times.
A Part of the Amman Standup Central, CNN, and TLC. He is also
Comedy Festival. a winner of NBC’s National Stand-
Up for Diversity Initiative.


Flip to page 128 to read the City in Progress section in Arabic!
‫إقلب إلى صفحه 821 لقرائه قسم حراك عمان باللغه العربيه‬
ّ


‫استاذ الكوميديا‬
‫من النادر أن تلتقي بعماني لم يسمع‬
‫بنبيل صوالحة. استمر نبيل صوالحة‬
‫في المشهد الثقافي في األردن مداعبا‬
‫خصوصيات بلدنا بخفة دمه وأسلوبه , و‬
‫مترأسا قائمة كوميديينا األكثر شهرة .‬
‫نبيل صوالحة، لم يترك شيء من شر نكته‬
‫و خاض بجميع الطرق المؤدية للضحك‬
‫من ضحك اليوجا إلى المسرح و أخيرًا‬
‫الكوميديا االرتجالية .‬
‫ّ‬

‫ّ‬
‫تحت مظلة مهرجان عمان للكوميديا‬
‫هذه السنه، قام نبيل صوالحه باإلشراف‬
‫هنالك معايير يجب التقيد بها. ما‬
‫ّ‬ ‫على مجموعة من المواهب الكوميدية‬
‫ّ‬
‫أثار دهشتي هو نهوض األردنيين إلى‬ ‫ّ‬
‫الشابه لتحضيرهم لليلة التي خصصها‬
‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬
‫المعايير المطلوبة، و هناك أيضًا شاب‬ ‫المهرجان لهم. لقد كان مرشد و صديق‬
‫سعودي لفت انتباه الجمهور، و هذا ما‬ ‫و مساعد لهم في تطوير طرقهم في‬
‫ّ‬
‫لم أتو قعه.‬ ‫األسلوب و األعداد.‬

‫ريفيو عمان: ما رأيك بالمواهب‬ ‫ّ‬
‫التقت مجلة عمان ريفيو باستاذ الكوميديا‬
‫ّ‬
‫الكوميد ية األردنية الناشئة؟‬
‫ّ‬ ‫نبيل صوالحه ، و سألته عن رأيه في‬
‫نبيل صوالحة: فعالية الشباب‬
‫ّ‬ ‫معايير “الستاند أب كوميديا” أو الكوميديا‬
‫األردنيين التي قد متُ ها كانت ممتازة.‬
‫ّ‬ ‫االرتجالية ، و حول مستقبل كوميديينا‬
‫ّ‬
‫لم يفشل أحد من الكوميديين،‬ ‫المحليين.‬
‫والبعض منهم كان جيدًا جدًا. كثير‬
‫ّ‬
‫من الشباب ال يريدون أن يكونوا‬ ‫ريفيو عمان: باعتقادك ، ما الذي فاجأ‬
‫مثقلين بالمشهد السياسي‬ ‫جمهور هذه السنة حول الكوميديين؟‬
‫األردني ، لذلك أوجدوا منافذ جديدة‬ ‫وما الذي فاجأ الكوميديين حول‬
‫إلحباطاتهم اإلجتماعية. و بالمناسبة،‬ ‫الجمهور؟‬
‫لم يكن هنالك رقابة عدا عن احساسنا‬ ‫نبيل صوالحة: ما فاجأ الجمهور كثيرا‬ ‫عمان يجعلنا أكثر تصميمًا على إقامته‬
‫الشخصي بالصواب والخطأ.‬ ‫وخصوصا الجمهور الشباب، هو تعدديه‬
‫ّ ّ‬ ‫سنويًا، آملين أن يشكّ ل هذا العام نقله‬
‫ّ‬
‫ثقافات الكوميديين ، و أكثرهم من أصول‬ ‫نوعية من حيث المشاركة و العروض و‬ ‫ّ‬
‫ّ‬
‫لقد علق الشباب كلهم على قضايانا‬‫ّ‬ ‫عربية. وأما بالنسبة للكوميديين ... أسوأ‬
‫رفد الفنانين الشباب بالخبرات و المهارات‬
‫االجتماعية ولم تكن هناك نكت عن‬ ‫شيء هو أن تؤدي لجمهور غير ملم ،‬
‫ُ ِ‬
‫الجنس و ما إلى ذلك من مواضيع‬ ‫الجمهور لن يفهم مغزى النكته أحيانا،ً و‬ ‫الالزمه لتطوير أدائهم.‬
‫سهلة ، بل على العكس، كان التعليق‬ ‫لكن عمان ضحكت كثيرا.‬
‫ذكي على قضايانا االجتماعية.‬
‫ّ‬ ‫تقوم أمانة عمان الكبرى بتنظيم‬
‫ريفيو عمان: هل تعتقد بأن المهرجان‬ ‫فعاليات مهرجان عمان الثالث للكوميديا‬
‫ريفيو عمان: بشكل عام ، ما رأيك‬ ‫هذه السنة كان أفضل من السنة‬ ‫هذا العام بالتعاون مع مجموعة ‪MBC‬‬
‫بمهرجان عمان للكوميديا و‬ ‫الماضية؟‬ ‫والراعي البالتيني الملكية األردنية ،‬
‫بالجمهور؟ كيف كان التفاعل وردود‬ ‫نبيل صوالحة: المنافسة الكوميدية كانت‬
‫الراعي الذهبي فندق جراند حياة عمان‬
‫الفعل من الجمهور؟‬ ‫جيدة، لقد أمتعتني و دغدغت ذكائي.‬ ‫ّ‬
‫نبيل صوالحة: مضى المهرجان‬ ‫عندما تتعامل مع أناس لديهم الكثير من‬ ‫والشركة المتكاملة للنقل المتعدد‬
‫بشكل رائع. اختيار الكوميديين كان‬ ‫الخبرة عليك أن تلتزم بمعاييرك.‬ ‫و الراعي الفضي العبدلي و البرونزي‬
‫جيدًا ومتعدد ثقافيًا ، لقد ضحك‬ ‫كوني أكثر الكوميديين خبرة في األردن، أو‬ ‫‪ Advize grey‬و ‪ Events AVP‬و زين و‬
‫الجمهور كثيرًا.‬ ‫ّ‬
‫لكون أدائي باللغة العربية، ال يهم.‬ ‫ّ‬
‫الراعي اإلعالمي مجلتكم ريفيو عمان.‬
‫ّ‬

‫411‬ ‫‪December / January‬‬

‫بقعة ضمء‬

‫عمان تضحك من جديد‬
‫يبدو أن ما يقال عن األردنيين بأ نّهم شعب ال يحب الضحك غير صحيح ، فمهرجان عمان للكوميديا يعود لمدينتنا‬
‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬
‫ّ‬
‫للسنّة الثالثه على التوالي بعد النّجاح الهائل الذي حققه في السنتين الماضيتين. و يمتد المهرجان السنوي الذي‬
‫تنظمه أمانة عمان باإلضافة لمجموعة ‪ MBC‬ما بين الرابع و العاشر من كانون األول (ديسمبر) و يستضيف هذا العام‬
‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬
‫أشهر الكوميديين من جميع أنحاء العالم. و سيتم من خالل المهرجان تقديم سلسلة من ورشات العمل المجانية‬
‫ّ ّ‬
‫للمهتمين بإشراف خبراء في مجال الكوميديا االرتجالية، و يقوم مهرجان الكوميديا العربية األمريكية في نيويورك‬
‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬
‫بإعداد المهرجان و إنتاج فعالياته.‬
‫ّ‬

‫في كانون األول من كل عام. ويجدر الذكر‬
‫ّ‬ ‫من نوعها على مستوى الشرق األوسط،‬ ‫أمين عمان، المهندس عمر المعاني،‬
‫عت اتقافية شراكة‬ ‫بأنّ مجموعة ‪ MBC‬وقّ‬ ‫و نجح المهرجان وقتها في استقطاب ٠٢‬ ‫أكّ د على أن المهرجان يسهم في جعل‬
‫لمدة ثالثة أعوام مع أمانة عمان لرعاية‬ ‫فنّانًا و آالف من الجماهير. و في موسمه‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬
‫عمان محطة هامة للمسرح الكوميدي‬
‫الحدث الترفيهي.‬ ‫الثاني نجح المهرجان في بيع التذاكر في‬ ‫عن تعزيز الحراك الثقافي‬ ‫االرتجالي، فضالً‬
‫وقت قياسي حيث استقطب ٠٠٠٤ زائر من‬ ‫في المدينة.‬
‫و قال المهندس المعاني بأنّ ما حقّ قه‬ ‫ضمنهم شخصيات معروفة عالميًا مثل‬
‫ّ‬
‫المهرجان من نجاحات متتاليه و ما‬ ‫رسل بيتر و جبريل إجالسياس. و كان كل‬ ‫و كان انعقاد مهرجان عمان للكوميديا في‬
‫ّ‬
‫لمسناه من آثار ايجابية الستضافته في‬
‫ّ‬ ‫ذلك دافعًا على تنظيم المهرجان سنويًا‬
‫ّ‬ ‫مرته األولى عام ٨٠٠٢ يعتبر خطوه فريدة‬
‫ّ‬

‫‪December / January‬‬ ‫511‬

‫أثر األزمة المرورية و سالمة المشاة‬
‫ّ‬
‫تعمل أمانة عمان حاليا على إعادة‬
‫ّ‬
‫الرونق االقتصادي لمنطقة وسط البلد‬
‫ّ‬
‫و ذلك من خالل إعادة تصميم الشوارع و‬
‫األرصفة فيها. و الهدف من هذا المشروع‬
‫هو توفير األمن و السالمة المرورية‬
‫ّ‬
‫باإلضافة إلى تسهيل الحركة للمشاة‬
‫و السيارت على حد سواء، حتى يصبح‬ ‫ّ‬
‫استكشاف المنطقة و التنقّ ل في‬
‫خفاياها أكثر متعةً و سالسة.‬

‫التحرير الحضري‬
‫هذا التحرير الحضري لساحة فيصل سيحول‬
‫ّ‬
‫هذا الفراغ الحضري و يعيد إليه رونقه و‬
‫حيويته االقتصادية و االجتماعية التي بدأ‬
‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬
‫يفقدها شيئًا فشيئًا في ظل المعطيات‬
‫الجديدة لنمو عمان. حاليًا تعاني منطقة‬
‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬
‫فيصل من األزمات المرورية و التلوث البصري.‬
‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬
‫عند معالجة هذه المشاكل ستصبح منطقة‬
‫فيصل مكانًا صديقًا للمشاة و السيارات و‬
‫ّ‬
‫ستتمكّ ن من أخذ مكانتها و أهميتها‬
‫ّ‬
‫الرمزية و الفعلية مرة أخرى، و ستلعب‬
‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ ّ‬
‫دورها الحيوي المعهود في المدينة.‬
‫ّ‬

‫التلوث البصري‬
‫ّ‬
‫من أجل إعادة الرونق الكالسيكي لفن‬
‫العمارة و الحجر اللذان طالما ميزا البناء‬
‫ّ‬
‫في منطقة فيصل، سيتم تطبيق قوانين‬
‫و تعليمات جديدة تعنى بتسليط الضوء‬
‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬
‫على جماليات واجهات المحلات التجارية و‬
‫ّ‬
‫قارماتها األثرية و بناياتها التاريخية التي‬
‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬
‫طالما شكّ لت حالة معمارية فريدة من‬
‫ّ‬
‫نوعها في هذه المنطقة العريقة.‬
‫َ‬

‫611‬ ‫‪December / January‬‬

Amman Review - January 2011| Amman Institute

Amman Review - January 2011| Amman Institute

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