More affirmative action needed

The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) is “urging” owners of old, abandoned buildings to clean them up and lock them in order to prevent them from becoming a health hazard or a threat to public safety. 

In an advertisement published in Arabic dailies, GAM gave owners of these buildings three months to fix and lock, or demolish their neglected properties, otherwise the municipality will do so and owners will bear all expenses. 

What triggered this concern is a reported attempt of rape at an abandoned building between the 4th and 5th circles in Jabal Amman last month. 

As welcome as this initiative is, it would be much more effective had it taken the status of a “request” rather than just “urging” since what is at stake is of paramount interest to the capital’s residents. 

If GAM lacks the necessary legislative base for taking more affirmative action against owners of abandoned buildings, then it should proceed to adopt the necessary rules and regulations for this purpose. 

There are over 1,000 abandoned buildings in the capital, some of which provide shelter to drug dealers and users, and have been reported as scenes of sexual assaults and even murders.

That said, why limit the concern to only old abandoned buildings when the capital is full of new construction that has not been completed for one reason or another. 

Crime and threats to health do not distinguish between old and new buildings as long as they are neglected or abandoned by their owners. 

Besides whether old or new, abandoned buildings are eyesores of monumental proportions. 

The capital has been dubbed by some observers as a city full of unfinished buildings, with rooftops of some being used as venues for suicide attempts. 

Bureaucratic red tape is often the reason why owners cannot, or are denied the opportunity to, finish their buildings. 

GAM should simplify the procedures for granting construction licences in order to make Amman look better and become more citizen friendly.