London-based Metropolitan workshop has put together an ambitious sustainable masterplan to develop the shores of the Dead Sea, in order to harness the unique natural assets of the area, tackle environmental and social issues and boost the economy of Jordan as a whole.
The Dead Sea is world famous for its salinity, but Jordanians are facing the stark reality that the water level is dropping over one metre every year, mainly due to water from feeder rivers and aquifers being used unsustainably, to compensate for a 50% deficit in rainfall. At the same time, the Jordanian population is growing. Amman, which is just 40 minutes drive from the Dead Sea, is now home to 2.1 million people, 750,000 of whom have arrived since the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
It is against this complex social and environmental back-drop that Metropolitan Workshop has been invited to develop a regional plan, which will expand the existing Mujib Reserve to protect the whole watershed of the Dead Sea, an area the same size as the Thames Gateway, whilst also developing economic opportunities, especially in tourism.
Metropolitan Workshop, working with WSP and Gross Max, analysed the topography of the area, generating a comprehensive map of land uses and ecological assets. This formed the starting point for a masterplan which aims to touch the ground lightly, with a series of ten anchor projects along the spine of the recently completed coastal highway. These projects include sustainable buildings, some partially buried in order to deal with the stark differences in temperature in the region, which will house spas and other health facilities. A public transport network will use hydrogen buses, electric trams, ferries and cable cars, in order to cut down on car use.
Each of the ten anchor projects within the Dead Sea Biosphere will explore different themes of the area and respond to specific temperatures and terrains. Together they will form a visitor trail. For example, Suwiemeh town will become the principle seaside resort; Zara Resort will be a coastal village, providing health and treatment right by the waters edge; and the isolated Lissan peninsula will have an earth sheltered retreat hotel.
Neil Deely, Director, Metropolitan Workshop sums up the thinking behind the project, saying: "The starting point of all our thinking was the legacy that this project will leave. We want to protect the astonishing and unique natural assets of this region for future generations, by creating a local zero carbon economy. At the same time, we want to sensitively use these same assets to support and energise the community living here already. It is a fine balance, but we hope our careful consideration of water management, solar power and waste management offer a sustainable future for the Dead Sea.
Jordan is a country without large innate wealth or petro-dollars, whose greatest resource is human ingenuity. We are confident that our Dead Sea masterplan sets a good example to all nations in the measures we must all take in new developments in order to survive."