Ammon News - The Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) on Wednesday launched the Arabic edition of its award-winning Designing Streets for Kids Guide, with the participation of the Public Security Directorate and urban design experts.

The guide serves as a key reference for urban street design through a holistic approach that places children and caregivers at the center of planning and design. It provides practical guidance for redesigning streets in key locations such as schools, residential areas, commercial zones, and busy intersections.

Secretary-General of the Ministry of Local Administration Nidal Abu Arabi said the Arabic edition reflects the ministry’s efforts to create safer and more inclusive urban environments for children in line with its vision to improve quality of life and urban services across Jordanian cities.

Abu Arabi noted that the Ministry of Local Administration leads and coordinates municipal and developmental work across the Kingdom and views such initiatives as valuable opportunities to support city development and quality of life enhancement, in line with the Economic Modernization Vision led by His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein.

He emphasized the importance of the guide in raising awareness and promoting sound planning within municipalities and local institutions, marking a step toward mainstreaming child-friendly urban and street concepts across Jordan.

Abu Arabi also commended the GDCI and the Van Leer Foundation for selecting Jordan to launch the guide and for producing an Arabic version that benefits national and regional institutions while serving future generations and local communities.

Van Leer Foundation representative in Jordan Farah Jadallah said the guide provides Jordanian cities with a roadmap to transform streets into safe, child- and family-friendly spaces, noting that child-centered street design enhances well-being, public health, and quality of life.

The guide compiles global best practices, policies, and programs, offering practical tools for redesigning and scaling up safer street plans while highlighting the importance of involving children in the planning process.