Assessment of Slums' Upgrading Interventions: Case Study Jabal Al-Natheef, Amman, Jordan

Abstract

Most slums' upgrading programs aim to provide basic services that improve livelihoods and empower communities to advance residents wellbeing.  However, despite of the work and effort, slums in Jordan are rising at a rate of 4.3 % per year.  In addition, it was noticed that most of these slums growth infested in the capital, Amman City.  Therefore, it is necessary to explore intervention strategies and identify the complexity towards upgrading plans and policies, examine their impact on several levels to include physical, social, economic promotion, environmental, and explore the legality issues associated with such plans.In this work study, it is aimed to assess upgrading strategies and its effect on satisfying residents' needs in Jabal Al-Natheef community.  Collected data was analyzed and compared in the form of frequency measures and central tendency.  As a result, data analysis has shown poor to fair residents' satisfaction with the impact of upgrading strategies at several levels.  Such an assessment is related to the absence of comprehensive plan and organization between stakeholders.  Therefore, serious actions are required to improve the physical environment for residents’ benefit and empower community socially and financially.  These actions can affect positively on residents cooperation level with intervention programs and strategies along with effective community participation.  Such an achievement can be accomplished through partnerships among slum residents, community groups, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and local governments.

Keywords: slum, upgrading approach, comprehensive intervention