Ammon News - AMMAN -Thousand of rooftops in Amman will be planted under a three-year programme designed to increase the green cover and beautify the capital, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The project, implemented by the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) and financed by the World Bank, is already under way, with the initial phase having seen the planting of gardens on rooftops around the Citadel in the heart of the capital.

"The implementation of the project will start in the central part of Amman and green cover will be prevalent over the rooftops of the houses of Amman within the next six months," Hesham Omari, director of the rooftop gardens project at GAM, said.

Omari said 50 houses in the Jabal Al Qalaa area were selected for the project, adding that “the plan is to plant 10,000 roof gardens in different areas in Amman”.

"The capital is distinguished for being a mountainous city where rooftops are visible. We started the project in Jabal Al Qalaa because it overlooks most of the downtown area," Omari added.

Studies have been conducted to the appropriate plants to survive both summer and winter in the capital, the project manager said, urging residents to look after the plants. According to Omari, training will be provided to residents of selected houses on how to best take care of their gardens.

Peat moss, which is a manufactured product for use in garden cultivation, as well as turf (dried out peat sod), will be placed on rooftops for planting, he added.

The GAM official stressed that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure that the rooftops are appropriate for selected plants and that the area’s drainage systems are efficient.

Omari said the project seeks to reduce pollution resulting from the increase in built-up areas and facilities and the shortage of green areas in the city. The project also aims to purify the air and beautify the capital.

Omari underlined the important role of citizens to render the project a success, adding that citizens can financially benefit from the project as these gardens to be created on rooftops can be productive.

Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania toured a model roof garden near the Citadel last month.


(Jordan Times/ Petra Photo)