Mainstreaming Ecosystem-based Adaptation into Urban Development Planning Frameworks in Amman City

Amman, Jordan’s capital and largest city, has grown rapidly from a city into a metropolis, expanding at an annual rate of 2% to reach a population of around 4.5 million. This rapid urbanisation has placed severe pressure on the city’s natural systems, with green open spaces now covering only about 2% of planned areas. At the same time, climate change is intensifying the challenges Amman faces, bringing rising temperatures, limited rainfall, more frequent heatwaves, and a growing risk of flash floods, which particularly threaten the city’s most vulnerable communities.

This project responds to these interconnected challenges by placing Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) at the centre of how Amman plans and develops its urban spaces.

The project aims to create the enabling environment for mainstreaming Ecosystem-based Adaptation into Amman’s urban development plans, policies, and processes, supporting the city to plan and grow in a way that strengthens climate resilience and benefits its most vulnerable communities.

Through these efforts, the project will build the foundation for more climate-resilient urban development in Amman. Lessons and approaches developed through the project will be shared regionally and nationally, supporting replication and scale-up within Jordan and across the MENA region.

The project will be implemented by UN-Habitat in partnership with the Greater Amman Municipality and the Ministry of Environment.

By integrating Ecosystem-based Adaptation into urban planning frameworks, the project aims to transform how urban development is approached in Amman and beyond, strengthening climate resilience while prioritising the wellbeing of vulnerable communities.