The "Amra" new city project constitutes one of the most prominent national strategic projects announced by Jordan in recent years. This project is not just an urban expansion or a relocation of the capital's inhabitants to a new site, but it is a well-planned step towards building a modern city based on sustainable foundations. From a geomatics and surveying perspective, the project holds exceptional importance because it relies on precise sciences concerned with understanding the land and its behavior before making any engineering or urban decision.
Surveying… the starting point for any successful urban project
The meticulous planning for the new city starts from a realistic reading of the topography, where topographic maps and digital terrain models act as a "compass" guiding the decision. The site selection for the city was not random, but based on analysis of slopes, soil characteristics, the flow of surface water, and climatic directions, in addition to the location's proximity to international road networks and vital centers.
Here, the role of the survey engineer becomes evident in providing precise data that serves as the foundation for the success of any future planning. Geographic data are not just numbers; they determine where roads are built, how residential areas are distributed, where heavy infrastructure is placed, and what is the best point to start urban expansion.
Geomatics… Connecting the land with the decision
With tremendous technological advancement, the science of geomatics has become centrally involved in assessing new urban areas. Through high-resolution satellite imagery and drone aerial survey technology, it is now possible to create 3D models of the area that help decision-makers visualize the place as if it were right in front of them.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offer a significant capability to analyze millions of location-related data, from land topography to wind and water movements. These analyses make planning more accurate and reduce costly mistakes that could emerge after starting construction.
How can Amra become a smart city?
The site of the new city holds significant potential for creating a fully integrated smart city, managed with real-time data and smart systems. Geomatics can contribute to this through:
Smart traffic management based on instant maps to improve movement.
Guiding solar energy based on precise analyses of shadows and solar paths.
Predictive models for water and sewage networks to avoid crises before they occur.
Creating a Digital Twin that simulates the city and allows for continuous monitoring and development.
These systems do not operate in a vacuum but start from data provided by survey engineers and integrate with the engineering and architectural analysis to produce a sustainable, safe, and effective city.
A positive decision for the future
Creating the new city "Amra" is not just an expansion step, but a positive strategic decision that confirms Jordan's direction towards balanced urban planning. The new city will ease the pressure on Amman, open new economic prospects, and allow for a more harmonious urban structure aligned with future needs.
Thus, the success of the project will depend on continuing to build each step on clear scientific foundations led by survey engineers and geomatics experts, ensuring that Amra is not just a new city but a model city embodying Jordan's vision for a more sustainable and advanced future.
Head of Civil and Architectural Engineering Department – Aqaba University of Technology
Head of the Surveying Engineers Association – Jordan Engineers Association
