Amman, January 31 (Petra) – Experts and specialists have emphasized the need for the Umrah City project to be attractive to investment and comprehensively designed in all aspects, in line with advanced global cities.
They stressed the importance of ensuring that the project’s design enhances its economic attractiveness while adhering to sustainability requirements in terms of infrastructure and urban planning.
These remarks were made during a dialogue session held on Saturday at the Prime Ministry, as part of a series of five specialized discussion sessions on the Umrah City project. The session focused on water, energy, and environmental issues, including environmental constraints that must be observed, sustainability plans and ambitions, green building and project standards, and energy solutions. The session was moderated by President of the Idama Association for Energy, Water, and Environment Duraid Mahasneh, and CEO of Sustain MENA, Engineer Shada Al-Sharif.
In the energy segment, discussions centered on clean energy generation and distribution options, grid efficiency, and energy-sector technologies that should be examined during the development stages of the project’s master plan.
Participants highlighted the importance of designing a modern, smart infrastructure that integrates energy, water, environment, urban development, transportation, and other sectors, and of adopting advanced smart-grid technologies.
They stressed the need for the Umrah City project to address energy generation, storage, and distribution, and to integrate its network across multiple energy sources, including electricity generated from renewable energy and gas.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Dr. Saleh Al-Kharabsheh affirmed that the Umrah City project places strong emphasis on energy security, noting that all of the city’s energy needs will be met through sustainable sources at the lowest possible cost.
He added that the city’s energy network will integrate a mix of renewable energy sources—including electricity, gas, wind, and solar—and will be designed using a modern approach that achieves efficient energy generation, storage, and distribution, while providing electric vehicle charging stations. He noted that the energy network will be tailored to the city’s specific characteristics.
In the water sustainability segment, discussions focused on water scarcity, policies and solutions to address water shortages, and the water network in terms of levels of water reuse.
Participants stressed the importance of water reuse and designing a water system capable of enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring the sustainability of water resources. They emphasized the need for a smart water network, wastewater reuse, and the development of an advanced and modern water system that meets the project’s objectives.
They also underscored the importance of enhancing water harvesting within the project and studying the feasibility of water generation from air, a practice implemented in several countries.
Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Al-Saud emphasized that water is the foundation of life and that no investment can exist without water, noting that the project’s plans have addressed water provision requirements.
He added that the project will adopt the best global technologies in designing the water network and will rely on multiple water sources, including water harvesting.
In the environmental considerations segment, discussions focused on environmental constraints that must be adhered to in the city’s planning, as well as the environmental objectives and considerations to be adopted in the project.
Participants stressed the need for Umrah City to have a distinct environmental identity that preserves the site’s biodiversity. They also emphasized reflecting international environmental commitments within the project, expanding green spaces, and investing in environmentally friendly local resources.
They further highlighted the importance of waste sorting and recycling, encouraging investment in such projects, and ensuring the availability of meteorological and environmental monitoring stations within the city.
In the sustainability segment, discussions focused on green and circular solutions and technologies that should be studied and implemented across the project, ensuring that the project delivers long-term economic and social value. Participants stressed the importance of integrating sustainability principles into the project’s infrastructure and urban systems.
They emphasized the need to enhance the project’s attractiveness by integrating climate considerations into its competitiveness, as well as focusing on lighting, thermal and water insulation, and ensuring that the city is resident-friendly for all segments of society, with modern transportation infrastructure.
Minister of Environment Dr. Ayman Suleiman stated that Umrah City will serve as a model for a technologically advanced modern city and will be the first smart, sustainable city of its kind, offering ample green spaces and a high quality of life.
He added that the Umrah City project will take into account environmental and climate change requirements, including clean energy, wastewater treatment and reuse, and waste management.
— (Petra)
