Amman: Her Royal Highness Princess Dana Firas, vice president of International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and president of ICOMOS Jordan, patronized the closing ceremony of the "Amman - Dialogue on Heritage and People" activities. The event marked the culmination of the "Amman Tourist Walkway - Downtown" initiative, which was organized by the Architectural Division of the Jordan Engineers Association in collaboration with the Greater Amman Municipality and the Council for British Research in the Levant.
According to Jordan News Agency, Princess Dana emphasized that World Heritage Day serves as a critical moment to re-evaluate the ties between heritage and daily life, as well as between the past and future of urban environments. She cautioned that a lack of awareness concerning heritage preservation poses risks to urban identity, social unity, and sustainable development. Furthermore, Princess Dana underscored that Amman's heritage is fundamentally intertwined with the city's identity and urban framework, rather than being merely an aesthetic or historical feature.
Princess Dana also drew attention to the Ain Ghazal archaeological site, dating back over 9,000 years, as a testament to Amman's long-standing historical significance and its status as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities globally. She noted that contemporary urban studies indicate that culture and heritage significantly contribute to quality of life, social unity, civic involvement, and economic resilience. Cities that prioritize heritage preservation reportedly enjoy stronger community bonds and enhanced urban sustainability.
Moreover, Princess Dana articulated that Amman's heritage encompasses more than just historic buildings; it includes the city's architectural styles, neighborhood layouts, topography, and the interplay between public and private spaces. She stressed the necessity of integrating these elements into urban planning strategies. The Princess also identified traditional architecture in Amman as a reservoir of sustainable solutions tailored to local environmental conditions like climate, terrain, and water scarcity, asserting that heritage continues to be a source of identity and connection in urban settings.
During the ceremony, approximately 80 participants engaged in the Amman Walkway initiative, creating video content to showcase the heritage value of historical landmarks. A competition was held to select the best heritage walkway project. The event concluded with the screening of a documentary on Amman's heritage tourism trails and the announcement of winners in the Best Walkway competition, featuring 14 teams from Jordanian universities vying for top honors.