Sense of Security in Large Scale Redevelopment Projects: A Case Study From Amman, Jordan

Abstract

Sense of security is a very important issue in urban design and planning, especially in a large redevelopment project such as the Abdali Project. Our case study in this research is taken from Amman City, the capital of Jordan, where a large area of land of about 350’000 square meters were redeveloped and completed its first phase in 2016. The total developed built up area is around two million square meters which will be built on three phases, and the project cost exceeded US$ two billion. Many architects and planners see the Abdali Project as model of globalization, where its architecture and style are universal and far away from local and cultural values. Feeling secure in large scale projects is a major factor in urban design as many authors mentioned. It is almost the most significant requirement of all societies. The perception of the environment in a selected area may differ from one person to another according to each one experience and background. Fear of crime affects greatly the mental behavior of the individuals, and this cause people to avoid places and projects with potentials offenders. This study examines the degree of fear at this project and the sense of security through a questionnaire for users of the project. The Abdali Project consists of three main sectors, the Abdali Mall, the residential apartments and the office and retail buildings. A long pedestrian Boulevard penetrates the whole project with a total length of 330 meters. At end a number of conclusions are reached emphasizing the importance of the main four factors of the gender, the age, the previous victimization experiences and the presence of some physical and social signs at the examined area. Such signs are rubbish, graffiti, abandoned cars or buildings, poor lighting and narrow alleys. The other signs are social such as public drinking, begging, youth skipping school, homeless sleeping in the area and others.