Constructing global Amman: petrodollars, identity, and the built environment in the early twenty-first century

Abstract

This study investigates the influences of capital flows, particularly petrodollars from the Gulf states, to Amman in the early twenty-first century on the city’s urban built environment. The study is carried out through an in-depth analysis of three case studies of contemporary megaprojects in Amman: the Abdali New Downtown, Sanaya Amman, and Jordan Gate. The research methods include reviewing relevant theoretical work and historical and contemporary resources on Amman and its built environment, analyzing advertising discourse on the study cases, conducting site visits, and interviewing stakeholders. The study concludes that capital flows to Amman led to the introduction of new urban forms and functions to the city, significantly transforming the city’s built environment and influencing the city residents’ identity in ways that mostly served the interest of capital. Capital flows produced several upscale mixed-use megaprojects, large-scale developments including high-end office, residential, shopping, and entertainment spaces, as modern, spectacular, upscale commodified spaces for display and consumption. Amman’s megaprojects showed commonalities in shape and function with megaprojects in other cities, particularly in the Gulf. However, the processes that produced Amman’s megaprojects were different than the processes that produced megaprojects in other cities. As a globally recognizable type of development serving functions and creating images similar to those of megaprojects in cities of high global standing, the city’s megaprojects served as a means to construct global Amman. These megaprojects and the advertising discourse surrounding them represented the city residents as modern, primarily as consumers and technologically advanced similar to their counterparts in modern cities, enhancing the modern city image and advancing the construction of global Amman.