Ammon News : Recently, former Prime Minister Samir Al-Rifai proposed relocating the planned administrative city from Al-Madounah, east of Amman, to Al-Qatraneh, located along the international highway leading to Aqaba. This proposal reopened the discussion on the developmental dimension of major national projects and their role in redistributing growth across Jordan’s regions, at a time when the country needs new planning approaches that ensure more balanced, equitable, and sustainable development.
The proposal stems from a broader vision of inclusive development that goes beyond geography. Keeping the administrative city in Al-Madounah would merely extend Amman’s urban sprawl and reinforce economic centralization, while relocating it to Al-Qatraneh would redirect development toward the southern regions, creating a new economic corridor that links northern and southern Jordan in a productive and complementary framework—one capable of narrowing the developmental gap between the center and the periphery.
From a macroeconomic perspective, the proposal represents a practical step toward correcting spatial imbalances in public investment and enhancing efficiency in the use of national resources. Al-Qatraneh possesses promising geographic and strategic advantages in renewable energy, transport, and logistics, making it an ideal site for launching a new economic cycle that eases pressure on Amman and generates sustainable employment across the provinces—thus supporting balanced growth and social stability.
The proposed location’s importance also lies in its position as a natural link between the port, the capital, and neighboring countries. This gives it a strategic dimension that could strengthen Jordan’s integration into regional trade networks. Moreover, Al-Qatraneh could evolve into a modern investment hub that connects national infrastructure systems into a unified network, attracting Gulf partnerships in transport and clean energy, and supporting Jordan’s transition toward a more diversified and productive economy.
From a financial standpoint, the proposal aligns with modern approaches to public resource management through sustainable development financing and the optimal use of state-owned assets instead of relying solely on direct public expenditure. The “land bank” model could be utilized to finance the project in partnership with the private sector, without imposing additional fiscal burdens—enhancing public spending efficiency and advancing Jordan toward a productive and participatory financial governance model.
Socially, the proposal presents an opportunity to redistribute economic and employment activity more equitably among the governorates. Establishing a new urban center in the south would create quality job opportunities, stimulate local private-sector participation through supply chains and supporting services, and revitalize local economies. It would also improve infrastructure, education, and healthcare services in surrounding areas—promoting spatial justice and raising living standards.
Strategically, this proposal embodies a sovereign approach to managing national geography. It would reduce administrative and economic centralization in the capital and strengthen the state’s flexibility in managing its institutions and resources. Moreover, it offers the south an opportunity to host a model smart and green city—powered by renewable energy, sustainable transport, and advanced digital infrastructure—in line with Jordan’s national orientation toward a green and digital economy.
In conclusion, relocating the administrative city to Al-Qatraneh is not merely a geographic shift—it reflects a shift in Jordan’s development philosophy itself, toward a fairer and more sustainable distribution of opportunities and investments across the nation. Adopting such strategic thinking demonstrates an advanced awareness of the importance of regional integration and of enhancing the economic role of southern Jordan within the country’s development framework. The real value of this proposal lies in transforming the administrative city project from a construction initiative into a national instrument for redistributing growth and productivity, laying the foundation for a new phase of productive decentralization that makes all Jordanian governorates active partners in shaping the country’s economic future.

Ammon News : Recently, former Prime Minister Samir Al-Rifai proposed relocating the planned administrative city from Al-Madounah, east of Amman, to Al-Qatraneh, located along the international highway leading to Aqaba. This proposal reopened the discussion on the developmental dimension of major national projects and their role in redistributing growth across Jordan’s regions, at a time when the country needs new planning approaches that ensure more balanced, equitable, and sustainable development.
The proposal stems from a broader vision of inclusive development that goes beyond geography. Keeping the administrative city in Al-Madounah would merely extend Amman’s urban sprawl and reinforce economic centralization, while relocating it to Al-Qatraneh would redirect development toward the southern regions, creating a new economic corridor that links northern and southern Jordan in a productive and complementary framework—one capable of narrowing the developmental gap between the center and the periphery.
From a macroeconomic perspective, the proposal represents a practical step toward correcting spatial imbalances in public investment and enhancing efficiency in the use of national resources. Al-Qatraneh possesses promising geographic and strategic advantages in renewable energy, transport, and logistics, making it an ideal site for launching a new economic cycle that eases pressure on Amman and generates sustainable employment across the provinces—thus supporting balanced growth and social stability.
The proposed location’s importance also lies in its position as a natural link between the port, the capital, and neighboring countries. This gives it a strategic dimension that could strengthen Jordan’s integration into regional trade networks. Moreover, Al-Qatraneh could evolve into a modern investment hub that connects national infrastructure systems into a unified network, attracting Gulf partnerships in transport and clean energy, and supporting Jordan’s transition toward a more diversified and productive economy.
From a financial standpoint, the proposal aligns with modern approaches to public resource management through sustainable development financing and the optimal use of state-owned assets instead of relying solely on direct public expenditure. The “land bank” model could be utilized to finance the project in partnership with the private sector, without imposing additional fiscal burdens—enhancing public spending efficiency and advancing Jordan toward a productive and participatory financial governance model.
Socially, the proposal presents an opportunity to redistribute economic and employment activity more equitably among the governorates. Establishing a new urban center in the south would create quality job opportunities, stimulate local private-sector participation through supply chains and supporting services, and revitalize local economies. It would also improve infrastructure, education, and healthcare services in surrounding areas—promoting spatial justice and raising living standards.
Strategically, this proposal embodies a sovereign approach to managing national geography. It would reduce administrative and economic centralization in the capital and strengthen the state’s flexibility in managing its institutions and resources. Moreover, it offers the south an opportunity to host a model smart and green city—powered by renewable energy, sustainable transport, and advanced digital infrastructure—in line with Jordan’s national orientation toward a green and digital economy.
In conclusion, relocating the administrative city to Al-Qatraneh is not merely a geographic shift—it reflects a shift in Jordan’s development philosophy itself, toward a fairer and more sustainable distribution of opportunities and investments across the nation. Adopting such strategic thinking demonstrates an advanced awareness of the importance of regional integration and of enhancing the economic role of southern Jordan within the country’s development framework. The real value of this proposal lies in transforming the administrative city project from a construction initiative into a national instrument for redistributing growth and productivity, laying the foundation for a new phase of productive decentralization that makes all Jordanian governorates active partners in shaping the country’s economic future.

http://en.ammonnews.net/article/86108