The team’s project enhances the site's accessibility, with entrances to the camp rehabilitated and pedestrian-friendly with controlled vehicular traffic introduced. The team integrated rainwater collection infrastructure to collect reserves for non-potable uses, and tactical urbanism measures, such as benches, and play facilities for children. 

The team explained that their project improves the quality of life and climate resilience in Muhammad Amin Refugee Camp by incorporating green infrastructure like bioswales and green roofs. We also “promoted urban biodiversity through local agriculture and created shared spaces like community gardens.“The most rewarding part of joining this competition was designing and planning a better green future for our city. Our goal was to build a resilient system for the people in the Camp and help them to fulfil their needs.” 

Congratulations to all teams that participated! Check out the documentation tab to view the winning team's proposal. 

Special mention, Second Place | Urban Harmony, University of Jordan

• Team members:  Seema Arabyat, Ghossoun Houd Tayeh, Leen Tuhami Abuodeh, Batool Mohammad Albayari & Abeer Nafez Tamimi

• Advisor: Ahlam Harahsheh, Faculty Advisor, Urban Planning

Special mention, Third Place | Eco City Designers, Al-Ahliyya Amman University

• Team members: Rahaf Jomaa Alnusirat, Raghad Abudayeh, Fatima Hejjawi, Omar Aljbouri, Saba Harba, Roaya Esa, Ali Aldor Mohsin & Mohammad Alboshman
• Advisor: Dr. Yara Ayyad. Head of the Department of Architecture Engineering

Despite its central location, Jabal Al-Natheef faces impoverished conditions and is labelled as a "refugee settlement," an "unofficial camp," or simply "the Palestinian camp." Muhammad Amin Camp was first developed in 1948 with tent communities. Over the last 70 years, the camp has expanded to define the entire Jabal Al Natheef neighbourhood and hosts over 45,000 displaced peoples from Palestine, Iraq, Jordan and Syria. 

Approx. site area: 

The study focuses on the Muhammad Amin camp in Jabal Al-Natheef, covering an area of 82,254 m² within the 1,269,880 m² neighbourhood.

Key Information:

In 2020, the Department of Statistics estimated Jabal Al-Natheef's population at 45,263, and the camp at 5,884, with a density of 71,534.52 people/km².

Priority areas & main expectations:

The primary objective of this competition is to transform the area into a sustainable, inclusive, and thriving urban space. Proposed solutions should address the area’s challenges, whilst preserving the site’s unique identity, improving amenities, and fostering a sense of unity and shared responsibility. This includes: 

• Improve or install basic infrastructure services such as water, electricity, stormwater drainage, access roads, and street lighting. Ensure these measures also help integrate the area into its surroundings, and into the city itself. 

• Construct or rehabilitate existing community facilities, including quality public space,  to enhance opportunities for social interaction and empower social networks.

• Foster community identity, unity, and shared responsibility of community and public spaces. 

• Enhance income-earning opportunities through training, workshops, and enrichment classes.

• Develop a participatory planning approach to ensure community engagement throughout the design process.

• Integrate climate-responsive measures to mitigate climate-associated risks, such as the urban heat island effect, flooding, and air or soil pollution. `