Jordan govt announces “Amra City” project

• Jordan’s Prime Minister launched the 25-year "Amra City Project," a new urban development model designed to relieve demographic pressure on Amman and Zarqa.
• The initial phase (2026–2029) will feature major investments, including an international conference center and a sports city, on state-owned land.

Jordan's Prime Minister launched the "Amra City" project, a new model for urban development and long-term population growth management, said a statement by the Prime Ministry.

The project aims to unlock promising investments and economic opportunities.

It is envisioned as a “model future city for youth and the next generation, involving meticulous organization and planning across a 25-year development period.”

The launch follows directives from King Abdullah II to the government to advance the project.

It is viewed as crucial for relieving demographic pressure on the cities of Amman and Zarqa—whose combined population is projected to reach 11 million over the next 25 years if current growth trends continue.

First Phase Projects and Timeline

The initial phase of the Amra City Project covers an area of 40,000 dunums (approximately 4,000 hectares) out of the project's total half-million dunums.

Work is slated to begin in early 2026 and will extend through 2029, with some key facilities completed within two years.

The Jordanian Company for Developing Cities and Facilities (JCDCF) will oversee and facilitate the project's completion phases.

The government is expected to finance these projects through foreign and domestic investment.

Key projects slated for the first phase include:

• International Exhibition and Conference Center: Expected completion in 2027.
• Sports City: Including an international football stadium and an Olympic village, expected completion in 2029. It will also feature equipped halls for sports like basketball, handball, volleyball, martial arts, and tennis courts.
• Entertainment City: To be completed in 2028 according to the highest specifications.
• Ecological Park: A model environmental park covering at least 1,000 dunums.
• Educational City and Technology Center.
• Commercial and Service Zones.
• Cultural Facilities: Including an expansion of the Royal Automobile Museum.

Sustainable Planning and Economic Impact

Amra City, which will not be a new administrative capital, is designed as a green city that utilizes modern environmental and technological techniques, clean energy, and public transportation.

The project pre-defines land use for various purposes: investment, educational, commercial, industrial, service, residential, and tourism.

• Land Ownership: The project is entirely on state-owned land and has been allocated to the Jordanian Investment Fund (JIF), which established the JCDCF as its development arm.
• Employment: Preliminary studies suggest the first-phase projects will create thousands of job opportunities and have significant positive repercussions on the contracting, construction, trade, and tourism sectors, stimulating overall economic growth.
• Connectivity: Upon completion of the first phase by the end of 2029, the city will be linked to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

Involvement and Governance

A permanent Advisory Council consisting of distinguished young experts in fields such as architecture, environment, and technology will be formed.

Furthermore, 10% of the land in Amra City will be allocated to the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF), with the JAF Engineering Corps contributing to development and infrastructure preparation.

Separately, 20,000 dunums of adjacent state land will be allocated to the General Corporation for Housing and Urban Development for employee, retiree, and Al-Muwaqqar district housing.

A partial Initial Public Offering (IPO) may be considered after the first phase is complete to allow citizens to benefit from this national investment, according to the Prime Minsitry.

The city holds a strategic location, 40 km from central Amman and 35 km from Zarqa and Queen Alia International Airport, linking Jordan to international routes with Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iraq.