Upgrading of Squatter Settlements In Jordan 2012 - 2nd. RSUWG Expert Meeting

1. HOUSING & URBAN
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Upgrading of Squatter Settlements
In Jordan
Arch. Huda Dabbas
Dec 2012

2. Introduction
 The government intervention in the development of
squatter settlements started in the early eighties
through urban development programs, where a
total of 15 thousands units were developed.
 In 1997 the GOJ approved the national strategy to
solve unemployment and poverty issues.
 As a result, a comprehensive CIP was adopted on a
national level with Arab and international financial
support

3. Squatter settlements
 Squatter areas were created due to the following
reasons:
 Accelerated population growth
 Unable to meet the needs of shelter for low
income strata
 Tribal lands
 low cost of land in these areas in comparison with
other urban areas
 Weak formal control on illegal settlements
 As a result of forced migrations

4. Background
 The Squatter settlements are considered among
the worst environmentally, due to lack of services
and public utilities; roads, footpaths, water and
sewerage networks as well as steep land
conditions, which endanger residents life.
 Another problem there is, land ownership issues.
 Due to these reasons land ownership were not
solved and residents did not contribute financially

5. Site selection criteria
 Site area and population density
 Poverty conditions
 Transportation difficulties within the site
 Infrastructure Services status
 General safety and environmental conditions
 Site needs for public buildings

6. PROJECT COMPONENTS
 Upgrading essential infrastructure in 13 refugee
camps, 16 squatter settlements and (21) fully
equipped community buildings under the
responsibility of HUDC
 Cost : 46 Million JD
 Beneficiaries: 500 thousands people
 All Components were handed over to the
concerned authorities.

7. PROJECT COMPONENTS
 Rehabilitation of the essential infrastructure
networks : water supply network/ sewerage/ storm
water/ roads & footpaths/ street lighting
 Improvement of safety factors:
to protect the project area from hazardous conditions:
bad topography, flooding, traffic, power lines.
 Construction & Equipment of public buildings:
schools, health centers & community centers
 Environment protection:
 Job opportunities:
during design & construction period

8. Action Plan
Study stage
Studies were carried out by HUDC staff to identify
infrastructure needs during all the project stages.
Design Stage
HUDC staff designed squatter sites in addition to the public
buildings while local consultant offices designed refugee
camps
Construction
The project was executed by local Jordanian contractors
Supervision
HUDC supervised upgrading sites and Community
buildings, Camps were supervised by local consultants

9. local and voluntary committees in cooperation with
HUDC staff worked on :
- Increase residents’ awareness on taking care and
sustainability of projects’ elements.
- Providing contractors with lists of local labors willing
to work in the projects.
- Establishing local committees to hand over C.C. in
coordination with the MOSD.
Community Participation

10. Achieving Objectives
 The basis infrastructure of all sites is now at a
satisfactory standard without any financial contribution
from beneficiaries.
 The project provided job opportunities for youth as
follows:
* Sustainable Opportunities: (HUDC) had employed (60)
employee (Engineers, Technicians and Administration
officials).
* Temporary Opportunities: contracts documents stated that
50% of labors must be from the locals, neighboring local
communities of sites / (1000) jobs during construction,
design and supervision works created (310) jobs.

11. On Going Plans
 HUDC conducting a studying on the remaining
squatter areas around the kingdom.
 22 sites were selected and classified into 3
priorities/ estimated cost 25 million JD.
 These projects will be implemented within the next
10 years upon fund availability.

12. 1 12
Roads and pathways

13. 1 13
Footpaths

14. 1 14
Stair ways

15. 1 15
Stair ways

16. 1 16
Retaining walls

17. Retaining walls

18. 1 18
Electrical works

19. 1 19
Old Water networks

20. Box Culvert

21. 1 21
Waste water network

22. 1 22
Main Waste water Pipes

23. 1 23
Demolishing cases

24. 1 24
Health center

25. 1 25
School

26. 1 26
Community Center