Water Sensitive Urbanism: A case of Downtown Amman
Hala Al Haddid
University of Sheffield School of Architecture ARC6982 Urban Design Project 3: Thesis Academic Year 2017/2018 Module leader: Beatrice De Carli
Water Sensitive Urbanism: A case of Downtown Amman
Hala Al Haddid 170152226
Supervisor: Claudia Lucia Rojas Bernal
Thesis submitted to the University of Sheffield in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MA in Urban Design and Planning
Sheffield, 6 September 2018
To my Hometown ... Amman
Abstract
Downtown Amman, a place of great historic importance and the earliest settlement of Amman, has become more prone to flooding in the last decade, due to various reasons; deteriorated infrastructure, topography, climatic changes and rapid urbanization. This research looks through the lens of Landscape infrastructure and sustainable water management systems, and how they are informed by the history and unique characteristics of the macro scale (Jordan) and micro scale (Amman), such as Jordan’s relation to surrounding water bodies, Amman’s water supply network and infrastructure, Households’ water needs among other issues. Furthermore, this research investigates the role of Landscape as infrastructure through the primary research question ‘How can Landscape act as Infrastructure to create a Sustainable Water Network in the highly dense Urban Context of Downtown Amman?’. Subsequently, the research attempts to find sustainable design solutions to enhance the water shortage problem and flooding situation. The research sets off with Situating Jordan within a regional level, alongside a historical introduction of Amman in correlation to water. Further, concisely explaining the situation of water supply-and-demand, and socio-economic demographics of residents, giving a comprehensive account of the holistic situation. Secondly, specific site conditions analysis and findings, represents the bulk of the research and drives the design proposal of rain water harvesting and a water retention public space. Through the use of illustrative materials, maps, diagrams and images. The driving goals of this research are to generate solutions for the pressing issues facing Downtown Amman, with the aid of a design proposal to enhance the social and ecological aspects of the site, through the introduction of small-scale rainfall harvesting mechanisms and a water sensitive public space while respecting the historical importance of the site. Collectively, this research articulates the notion of Landscape as infrastructure and its endless possibilities in re-shaping and transforming highly dense urban areas, through integrating natural and human habitats, to create sustainable water networks and reduce flood risk.
Table of contents
01
Introduction 1.01 Research Questions 1.02 Aims & Objectives 1.03 Methodology
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02
Literature Review
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03
Research Process
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04
Context & Challenges 3.01 Situating Jordan & Water bodies 3.02 Introducing Amman 3.03 Water history of Amman 3.04 Amman’s Water Stress
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05
Reading Landscape and Common Spaces in Downtown Amman 5.01 Landscape - Topography - Open Spaces & Trees - Water Cycle Section 5.02 Urban Form - Architectural Characteristics - Solid Void - Water Infrastructure - Land Use - Bazar Clusters & Attraction points - Amman’s Character Sections 5.03 Flows & Connections - Vehicular & Congestion points - Pedestrians & Stairs 5.04 Stating the problem
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06
Design Proposal 6.01 Water Harvesting 6.02 Water Storage 6.03 Water Retention - Precedent - Hashemite Square - Design Proposal
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07
Conclusion
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Acknowledgments
I wish to express my sincere thanks to my supervisor Dr Claudia Bernal, for her continous support and guidance through the course of this research, and whose enthusiasm for Landscape Urbanism and specifcally water management had and will still have a lasting effect. I would also like to express my deepest appreciation to my parents and sister, who have gone above and beyond to provide me with the necessary maps and documents to build this thesis, as well as their continous support and love. Without their help and support this thesis would not have been possible. And lastly, to my family away from home; my friends, for the endless chats and brainstorming sessions, their support and encouragement.
Amman 1875 (Janset Shwash, 2013)
01
Introduction
Flooding, a pressing issue worldwide due to climatic changes and rapid Urbanization, causing deterioration in the quality of built environments, casualties, deaths and most importantly distorting the natural balance of the ecosystem. The ecosystem, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is ‘A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment’, translating into human beings and the built environment in this research. The rate at which built environments are growing mandates a reflection of its effects on the residents’ wellbeing and quality of life, as well as that of the ecosystem as a whole. Urban sprawl is a deep-rooted issue within our present, causing multiple environmental changes, especially water when it comes to the situation of Jordan. Although Jordan has been named as one of the countries that ‘will experience significantly increased water stress driven by Climate Change’, flooding is a seasonal occurrence in the capital city of Amman. Multiple factors contribute to the water issues facing Amman, such as outdated infrastructure, refugee influx, shared water sheds and highly dense urban areas with extensive use of impervious surfaces. Despite the multiple studies conducted on Amman, and the measures undertaken to reduce the effect of the water crisis, Amman still faces a great ordeal to sufficiently supply water to households, due to unforeseen factors that range from lack of resources to drastic population growth, and the lack of rainwater harvesting initiatives. Lennon et al. (2014) identifies the flooding paradigm through 3 general approaches, Persistence, Adaptation and Transformation, in which this research falls within the Adaptive stance. An Adaptive stance views climatic change as inevitable, and to accommodate the inevitability of flooding.It encompasses a ’bounce back’ form of resilience and is concerned with modification to the built environment and the design of public realm.It is an interdisciplinary approach that is concerned with an array of skills rather than the stereotypical construction based skillset. Fig. 1: Showing the 3 general approaches of the flooding paradigm.
Thus leading to the main research question, ‘How can Landscape act as Infrastructure to create a Sustainable Water Network in the highly dense urban context of Amman?’ 3
1.01
Research Questions
How can Landscape act as Infrastructure to create a Sustainable Water Network in the highly dense urban context of Amman?
How can design reshape water technology and management within Ammani Households?
How can design aid in creating an adaptive flexible water management system to balance the gap of need-and-demand within Amman?
Can Landscape act as Infrastructure to create a hybridity between natural and engineered systems to prevent flooding, preserve water and create a public space within Downtown Amman?
1.02
Aims & Objectives
To address the primary question, the research outlines three main objectives. Firstly, to investigate, analyse and conclude solutions for water and flood risk management within Amman. Secondly, drawing practical lessons for Urban design in Flood Risk Management. Lastly, creating a water sensitive public space within the Urban Context of Amman.
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Fig. 2: Showing the Methodolgy utilized to explore the research questions..
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1.03
Methodology
In light of the aims and objectives, the following methodology has been used to address the research question. Most of the data used in this research has been secondary data, including maps, aerial images and plans amongst others. Observations has been the primary data source, to better identify, understand and analyze the existing issues within the Site. Therefore, the study embraces critical realism, due to the broad critical examination of water management reality. Furthermore, the local context dictates the mechanisms adopted to address the water management issue. The Water management issue challenges the local context, due to the economic situation of Amman, political limitations of transboundary water bodies and Lack of efficient water governance. Since Amman suffers from inadequate financial- resources, thus radical solutions would be inappropriate, as they are costly and time-consuming. As a result, an Adaptive approach underpinning the study would contribute to the inevitable acceptance of climate change and its consequences, of flooding and water shortage. Furthermore, Jordan’s shared water bodies with neighbouring countries, poses a political limitation, particularly refugee influxes.
6
In the study the written element depicts a vital pillar, in which it has assisted in identifying the water management issues at a regional, national, capital and area level respectively. Moreover, the written element has supported the understanding of strategies from a theoretical and design based analysis equally. From this perspective, the study encompasses an interconnected relationship between theory and design, thus depicting a constant loop of trial and error. For instance, subsequent to theory enriching a design, an evaluation is implemented to test the validity and efficiency of the design, following the evaluation, the results generated causes a reassessment of the theory. Therefore, enriching the written element through reassessment and re-evaluation. In essence, grounding reality through the interconnectedness and multidimensional relationship between theory and design, contributing to the potency of research by design.
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(AndFarAway, 2017)
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02
Literature review
Globally, flooding has been a prevalent natural hazard, constituting high threats to Urban environments, especially cities where Urban floods and Surface run-offs are a common sight (Dewan, 2013). Flood management has always been considered through traditional approaches of resisting, disrupting and dominating the natural hydrological cycle, as well as existing evidently in the form of ‘flood control’ in Urban areas (Dewan,2013). According to Lennon et. al (2014) International literature has had the tendency to focus on defence mechanisms to reduce flooding probability but is recently undergoing a paradigm shift from a ‘keep flood water out’ approach to a strategic long-lasting approach. Flood control is evident through the use of intensive and expensive interventions, that prove to be inflexible and often require further enhancements. Despite the improvements on the traditional flood management methods that are solely construction based, Carmona (2014) argues that the rise of more ecologically focused disciplines, such as Landscape Urbanism ‘Seeks to neatly package favoured physical forms with prescribed social and/or ecological content and philosophical meaning’. Furthermore, Lennon et al. (2014) claims that Urban Design has a tremendous effect on the methods at which flood issues are tackled, in which it could encourage a ‘more ecologically sensitive development’. While Waldheim (2016) states that Ecology is fundamental and should be a main element of design, supporting the previous claim. Additionally, Weller (2008) argues that the degree at which landscape informs a development, is reliant on the point at which it enters the design process. Similarly, Girling & Kellet (2005) assert that the possibility of obtaining a better design lies within finding ways to reconcile the built environment and ecology, occurring both at the regional and sub-divisional scales.
Fig. 3: Shows a map of Amman in 1956..
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On the other hand, Lennon et al. (2014) suggests that an Adaptive method is ‘often limited in scope and ambition’. According to Arnell and Delaney (2006) the adaptive method encompasses three types of limitations; physical, economic, political/social. The physical limitations of the Adaptive method, are due to the inevitability of climate change, in which technical or institutional procedures may not have much of an effect. Although the physicality of the Adaptive method is the most feasible approach, it would also depend on the economic situation of the context, that would dictate what is affordable and what is not. Likewise, political/ social limitations largely depend on the context in which the approach is implemented in, for example multiple countries in the Middle East have shared water basins, and that constitutes a limit to the water shares and reliability of the supply due to political tensions. Similarly, Water management agencies, ineffective water governance and mutli –scale tensions can all cause a limitation to the Adaptive method due to low prioritisation of water management and lack of coordination between different stakeholders. Despite these limitation, White (2008), Yu et al. (2008) and Berke et al. (2009) have all encouraged the integration of Urban Design and Flood Management, calling for greater holism in tackling the natural hazard.
Fig. 4: Listing all the literature reviewed over the course of the research process.
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03
Research Process
In order to achieve these aims and objectives, the following methodology has been used. Most of the data used in this research has been secondary data, that include maps, aerial images and plans amongst others. Observations has been the primary data source, to better understand the existing issues within the Site.
Fig. 5: Showing the research process. .
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Amman 1953 (Janset Shwash, 2013)
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Fig. 6: Showing the location of Jordan on the world map.
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04
Context & Challenges
4.01 Situating Jordan & Water bodies 4.02 Introducing Amman 4.03 Water history of Amman 4.04 Amman’s Water stress
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Fig. 7: Showing the location of Jordan on the world map.
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04
4.01
Context & Challenges
Situating Jordan & Water bodies
Jordan, a small country that is regarded as the peaceful oasis amongst its neighbouring countries in the Middle East, with great geopolitical value, covers an area of 90 000 km2, with 12 governorates; Amman the capital city included. Jordan is home to 9,903,802 ; where most reside in Amman. The population of Jordan consists of multiple nationalities; Palestinians, Iraqis and Syrians amongst others due to consecutive refugee influxes, as well as thousands of Egyptia labor. Jordan although a small country but has suffered immensely, due to lack of natural resources and financial capital; refugee influxes and corruption, especially in terms of Water supply and demand.
Fig. 8: Illustrating infrographics of Jordan.
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4.02
Introducing Amman
Situated in north-central Jordan, Amman; is the economic, cultural and political hub. A city of great importance that has overcame the test of time from early Neolithic settlements to the Ottoman empire and to modern age. Amman being the center of action for most economic development, has suffered the most, with the people’s drive to inhabit it, creating a highly dense population center; which generates a nationwide problem of an uneven distribution of population in Jordan, that in return causes a multitude of problems; air pollution, waste management, water shortage and infrastructure strain. Amman has developed an erratic growth pattern, but at a rate parallel to that of other major cities in the MENA region; nonetheless making its “scattered, uncoordinated development more expensive to service and maintain� (UNHabitat, 2015).
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Fig. 9: Showing a cross section of Jordan, locating Amman to near by water bodies..
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Fig. 10: Situating Amman to surronding Water bodies and Rivers..
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In the past decades, Jordan has been suffering from a long-lasting water crisis, and is named as one of the countries that ‘will experience significantly increased water stress driven by Climate Change’ by the World Bank. Since 1987, the capital city- Amman has suffered the most, and hence has developed a rationing system , meaning households are supplied with water once a week for different durations. Interestingly most Ammani households are connected to the water supply network unlike many cities in the developing world. Although Jordan has three major rivers, the Jordan River, the Yamouk River and the Zarqa River, which are at close proximity to Amman, they are not suitable for drinking or irrigation. The rivers receive vast amounts of municipal, industrial and agricultural waste making it unsuitable for usage. Despite having multiple surface water sources and underground aquifers, it is still insufficient to cater for the water demand within Amman. Furthermore, most water bodies surrounding Jordan, are trans-boundary, in which they are shared between more than two countries.
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4.03
Water History of Amman
Amman’s water supply is 50% catered from the Jordan Valley, in which water is pumped from -225m below sea level from the Jordan Valley to a Zai’s water treatment plant. The remainder of Amman’s water supply is received from 70 km east of Amman, from AlMafraq well and Al Azraq Aquifer. As well as from the south Amman, Qatrana, Swaqa and Wala and most recently Al Disi aquifier. Al Disi aquifier, the newest intervention to Amman’s water crisis, isa 325 km long pipeline from the shared basin between Jordan and Saudi Arabia, is to provide the city with 100 m3 yr -1 for the next 100 years. Amman’s water supply network is dependent on a system of rationing since 1987. Water is supplied to various areas of Amman on different days, usually just one or two days a week, but the biggest problem remains untackled, storage. The rationing system of Amman reflects the issue of water scarcity, as well as the physical state of the infrastructure. Yearly, 34-54% from Amman’s water supply is labelled as ‘unaccounted for’, due to leakages in the infrastructure, inadequate billing and illegal use of water. Amman’s water demands are 61% irrigation, 31% municipal and 6 % industrial, in which Amman’s water needs have increased to 300 000 m3 /day , that is 90 000 m3 more than the available water levels, creating a deficit of 35 million m3 / year .
Fig. 11: Traces the water supply network development.
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4.04
Amman’s Water Stress
Amman has seen a phenomenal population growth in the last couple of decades, turning from a small town of around 2000-3000 people in 1920 to almost 8.9 million in 2014, placing massive strain on the city’s water situation.
Fig. 12: Shows the timeline of Urban growth, population growth, Rainfall and Water Levels.
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Amman 1922 (Al Rai, 2017)
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Site Selected : Earliest Development of Amman in 1946 now known as Downtown Amman.
Fig. 13: Shows the most recent organic shape of Amman.
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05
Reading Landscape & Common Spaces in Downtown Amman
5.01 Landscape - Topography - Open Spaces & Trees - Water Cycle Section
5.02 Urban Form - Architectural Characteristics - Solid Void - Water Infrastructure - Land Use - Bazar Clusters & Attraction points - Amman’s Character sections
5.03 Flows & Connections - Vehicular & Congestion points - Pedestrians & Stairs
5.04 Stating the problem
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5.01
Landscape
Topography
Topographically Amman consists of 7 hills which guide the city’s growth pattern; in terms of settlements and road development; original settlements took place in the valleys between these steep slopes; due to the recent spatial expansion 1950 onwards it takes the form of “climbing hills and mountains”.
Fig. 14: Shows the topographic nature of Downtown Amman.
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Open Spaces & Trees
Due to the topographical nature of Amman, the valleys have been conveniently identified as a public open space surrounded by neighbourhoods placed on the hills and intermountain roads that link different areas of Amman to the Downtown area.
Fig. 15: Illustrates the open spaces and vegetation within Downtown Amman.
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5.01
Landscape
Water Cycle Section
Rainfall accounts for about 8,065 million cubic meters (MCM), but due to high infiltration and evaporation results in relatively low annual flow of about 878 MCM. Amman’s hilly topography causes Urban Run-off during the winter season, leading to physical damages and casualties. As a result of Urban run-off, the hilly topography and the highly dense Urban fabric, the Roman Amphitheatre is a high flood risk zone as being the lowest in the area.
Fig. 16: Illustrates the hydrological cycle on a section of Downtown Amman.
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5.02
Urban Form
Architectural Characteristics
Amman’s Downtown area is the earliest settlement of the city, in which multiple architectural styles are present and demonstrates the different stages the area has surpassed. From vernacular architecture in the early 1920s to Contemporary architecture.
Early Phases House Ruins of 1920s
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Middle Ages
Houses of the 1930s 1940s
Fig. 17: Shows the Architectural Characteristics of Downtown Amman throughtout the years.
Middle Ages with low cost materials
Latest phases of New Interventions
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5.02
Urban Form
Solid Void
Amman has seen a rapid urban growth pattern in the past decades, due to natural growth and migration. Especially in the Downtown area, that is commonly described as ‘crowded’, as a result of being a historic, cultural and civic hub.
Fig. 18: Shows the highly dense Urban Fabric of Downtown Amman.
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Water Infrastructure
The water network in the Downtown area, is the oldest in the city, and multiple extensions to the network have generally not been planned. These extensions to the network have caused an incredible pressure to the water system, as they consist of ‘small-diameter pipes’ and by increasing water pump sizes, despite the fact that existing network is in need of reinforcement. Yearly, 34-54% from Amman’s water supply is labelled as ‘unaccounted for’, due to leakages in the infrastructure, inadequate billing and illegal use of water.
Fig. 19: Shows the location of Water Pumps within Downtown Amman.
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(Razan Masri, 2014)
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5.02
Urban Form
Land Use
Downtown Amman, is also considered as the historic core of Amman, due incorporating the Citadel, Nymphaeum and Roman Amphitheatre within its boundaries. Furthermore, an ascending pattern could be noticed as the functions change from commercial and mixed use to residential on the hilly topography. This ascending pattern is a result of various reasons, mainly being the proximity to a main road and the early settlement patterns, in which people lived and worked in the same place.
Fig. 20: Shows the various land uses in Downtown Amman.
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5.02
Urban Form
Bazar Clusters
As famous as Downtown Amman is for being the historic core, it is also well-known for its Bazar clusters. The Bazar clusters attracts tourists as well as locals, due to being diverse in functions ranging from Textiles to Souvenirs.
Fig. 21: Illustrates the different Bazar Clusters in Downtown Amman.
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Attraction points
Within the study site boundary there is an abundance of archaeological site, most importantly the Roman Amphitheatre and the Citadel. Additionally, Souvenir shops, Cafes and restaurants to cater for the needs of the area’s visitors.
Fig. 22: Shows the main attraction points within the chosen study area.
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5.02
Urban Form
Amman’s Character Sections
The study site incorporates three important common spaces within its boundaries, The Citadel, Roman Amphitheatre and Raghdan Bus Terminal. These common spaces affect the character of the study site, due to their heritage and functions.
Fig. 23: Shows the section map and highlights three important Common Spaces within Downtown Amman.
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Section A - A : Citadel
(Ammon News, 2015)
One of the oldest historical sites in Amman, dating back to the Umayyad Caliphate. It is set one of Amman’s multiple hills, where it has a number of ruins, some being Hercules’ Temple, a Byzantine church and most importantly an Umayyad Palace.
Section B - B : Roman Amphitheatre & Hashemite Plaza
(As her world turns, 2014)
Embedded into the dense Urban fabric, the Roman Amphitheatre is a cultural hub for both locals and tourists. Originally built in the second century AD, for theatrical and musical purposes, it is still considered the biggest stage in Amman till present.
Section C - C : Raghdan Bus Terminal
(ADW, 2017)
A vital element in Downtown Amman, due to its distinct function of being a transportation hub. Raghdan Bus Terminal serves a multitude of line , connecting the Downtown area to other Ammani areas , as well as cities. It has undergone a development along with the Hashemite Plaza in 2009
Fig. 24: Shows the three important Common Spaces within Downtown Amman.
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Roman Amphitheatr
Citadel
2005
2011
2017
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re & Hashemite Plaza
Raghdan Bus Terminal
2005
2005
2011
2011
2017
2017 (Royal Jordanian Geographic Centre, 2018)
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Section A - A
The Section highlights the location of the Citadel on top of the hill, descending through residential buildings to the commercial strip and ascending again to residential buildings, in which the topographical nature could be noticed.
Fig. 26: Shows Section AA through the Citadel.
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Section B - B
The Roman Amphitheatre centralized within this section, encompasses a great importance, due to its proximity to the main road, which was previously the Amman Torrent. Unfortunately, due to the torrent drying up in the mid-1960s, it was adapted to become a main road connecting Downtown Amman to other areas within the city, as well as other cities.
Fig. 27: Shows Section BB through the Roman Amphitheatre.
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Section C - C The flat part of this section is noticeably wider than the previous two, in which this has been utilized to accommodate a bus terminal that serves all areas in Amman and other cities.
Fig. 28: Shows Section CC through Raghdan Bus Terminal.
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(Al Rai, 2016)
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5.03
Flows & Connections
Vehicular & Congestion Points
Amman a city that is dominated by vehicular activity; privately owned cars or yellow taxis, making it almost impossible to walk in, where the last resort is the inefficient transportation system. As Al-Asad (2005) lamented Amman saying it has “become a more congested city in which it is increasingly difficult to drive, and through which it is almost impossible to walk�.
Fig. 29: Shows the Vehicular Routes within Downtown Amman.
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5.03
Flows & Connections
Pedestrians & Stairs
Downtown Amman is categorized by the abundance of stairs, that are sunk within the Urban fabric. The stairs were previously used to facilitate the movement in the area, but due to the recent high vehicular dependency, these stairs are not in use as they were before. Despite the efforts to make the Downtown Area more pedestrian friendly. Nowadays, these stairs are looked upon as decorative public spaces.
Fig. 30: Shows the Pedestrian linkages throughout Downtowm Amman.
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(IFMSA, 2018)
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5.04
Stating the problem
After a thorough analysis of Downtown Amman, it can be concluded that the area suffers from multiple problems. Ranging from water issues, such as Urban Run-off, Flooding and Water Shortage, to lack of efficient public spaces due to multiple factors such as poor design and vehicular congestion amongst others.
Water Harvesting
Water Retention
Fig. 31: Showing a Section through Downtown Amman with the Proposed Strategies.
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Water Storing
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(Alghad, 2014)
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(Hermann Wilcke, 1956)
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06
Design Proposal
6.01 Water Harvesting 6.02 Water Storage 6.03 Water Retention - Precedent - Hashemite Square - Design Proposal
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6.01
Water Harvesting
Amman is a city that endures heavy rainfall during the winter season. Sadly, rain water harvesting is not a common sight in Amman. Due to the water shortage problem in Amman, where water is a pre-requisite of the fullfilment of human rights, residents suffer from high water bills and the need to buy water from privatized water tanks. The proposed Water Harvesting strategy includes the introduction of water collection surfaces as rooftops, as well as the Kanchan Arsenic Filter, that could aid in filtering the water to become usable for household purposes such as cleaning and gardening, that consumes a hefty amount of the household’s water reserve.
Fig. 32: Illustrates an Exploded Axonometric of the strategy.
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Fig. 33: Shows the movement of Water through the Proposed strategy.
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Fig. 34: Explains the different layers of the Kanchan Arsenic Filter.
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The Kanchan Arsenic Filter, is seen as an affordable and feasible solution, that has been implemented in Nepal . It could also be perceived as a substantial aid to the water shortage problem within the Downtown households. The filter is based on a system of multi-layering that encompasses non-galvanized iron nails, sand, gravel and a biolayer, to filtrate the water by removing foreign matter, Thus making the water cleaner and safer to use.
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Fig. 35: Shows a Detailed Section of the strategy.
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6.02
Water Storage
As has been previously mentioned, Urban run-off is a great issue in the dense Urban fabric of Downtown Amman. This is due to the out-dated infrastructure as well as the abundance of impervious surfaces. The second strategy, addresses the issue of Water shortage indirectly, through the use of water tanks to store the water running off the Urban fabric. Thus establishing a safe place to store water, that could be later filtered and purified for usage, as well as reducing some of the flooding issues within the area.
Fig. 36: Shows the Water movement through the strategy.
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6.03
Water Retention
Precedent
The water square, located in Benthemplein – Rotterdam, is an innovative intervention. It aims to create a water storage space, improve public space and create a neighbourhood identity. These driving aims and the rationale behind this case study, underpin the research’s design proposal. The square inhabits two shallows pools located on the ends and one centralizied large deep pool. When rainfall occurs the shallow pools fill up , eventually pouring into the larger pool. These pools inhabit a range of activities, such as step seats, a basketball court, and an amphitheatre.
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(De Urbanisten, 2018)
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6.03
Water Retention
Hashemite Square
The square is located in front of a monumental historical site, the Roman Amphitheatre. It is also one of the few public spaces left within the Downtown Area, that attracts both residents and tourists. In 2009 the square underwent a development, in which the neighbouring land was also developed, creating an open space of 40 000 m2. Unfortunately due to the development plans, the landscape and vegetation were removed, causing the lowest ground in Downtown Amman to become an impervious concrete surface. The development included a memorial to the Amman Stream, Pavilions, a colonnade leading to the neighbouring Raghdan bus terminal, green lawns and a concrete festivities square.
Fig. 37: Illustrates the different elements within the Hashemite Square.
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2005
Analysis of Vegetation, Landscape and Circulation
(Royal Jordanian Geographic Centre, 2018)
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2017
Analysis of Vegetation, Landscape and Circulation
(Royal Jordanian Geographic Centre, 2018)
Fig. 38: Shows the proposal’s development and thought process.
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6.03
Water Retention
Design Proposal
The strategy suggests the use of the existing grid system of the concrete square, in which it could be adapted to inhabit water retention basins. These water retention basins could potentially solve the issue of flooding within the square and the Roman Amphitheatre, such that the basins can hold the water until the water pumps could drain the vast amount of water flooding into the site.
Fig. 39: Illustrates the Water movement throughout the Site.
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Furthermore, the basins in winter are utilized to inhabit the water, while in summer they could aid in creating a more efficient public space, through the use of step seats and playgrounds that are immersed during winter. The basins could provide a space where residents can meet and perform activities during the dry summers.
Fig. 40: Illustrates the situation of the proposed design through different seasons .
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Fig. 41: Shows the Public Realm within the proposal.
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(Janset Shwash, 2013)
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07
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study addresses the research questions through suggesting three strategies, water harvesting, water storage and water retention respectively. In the previous literature, studies have inadequately addressed water management issues , specifically in developing countries facing water shortage. Therefore, the study embraced the flooding paradigm to resolve flooding and water shortage issues in Amman , particularly the adaptive method. In which, the Adaptive method paved the way for three design proposals aimed at households, neighbourhoods and city levels. Firstly, Water Harvesting that is aimed at reducing water shortage problem within Ammani households, through utilizing rain water for cleaning and gardening purposes. Secondly, Water Storage that could potentially aid in decreasing the problem of urban run-off and the water shortage issue. Lastly, Water retention that creates a space for water to be stored in while it drains, while also creating an efficient public space . These strategies are intended to tackle the physical and ecological aspects of a sustainable water network. However, the study failed in addressing the political tensions and the water governance in depth within Jordan, and particularly Amman, due to time constraints. Furthermore, lack of sufficient literature in regard to flooding within Jordan, despite having a multitude of research addressing the water shortage issue. In regard to future areas of investigation, perhaps water governance could be incorporated to enrich the study further, as well as considering public participatory events that could aid in better understanding the relationship of people and water.
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