Heritage assets constitute an integral part of Jordan’s cultural identity and source of community pride. As administrative bodies closely connected to local communities, municipalities play a pivotal role in the identification, documentation, and protection of these assets. However, their effectiveness is often limited by capacity gaps, overlapping institutional responsibilities, and inconsistent documentation practices. 

In response to these needs, CBRL Amman Institute organised a two-day workshop titled “Strengthening Municipal Roles in Supporting Jordan’s Heritage Protection” on 22–23 October 2025 at the Jordan Museum in Amman. The workshop was organised in collaboration with the Jordanian Engineers Association (JEA), the Ministry of Local Administration (MoLA), and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA), and funded by the Commonwealth Heritage Forum (CHF). 

The event brought together around 40 professionals from across Jordan, including representatives of key government institutions, municipal bodies, and heritage specialists. Participants shared insights, discussed challenges, and explored new ways to strengthen the role of municipalities in safeguarding Jordan’s built heritage. 

The workshop aimed to clarify and strengthen the municipal role in heritage management and identify areas where municipalities need additional technical and institutional support. It also sought to coordinate with national heritage bodies, including the National Heritage Committee at MoTA, and promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing between municipalities. 

Building on CBRL’s Heritage Documentation Project for young professional architects and engineers, held last year with support from the Commonwealth Heritage Forum (CHF), the workshop drew on outcomes from earlier initiatives led by the Heritage Preservation Committee at the Jordan Engineers Association, which focused on heritage preservation through local zoning and building regulations. 

The sessions featured presentations on Jordan’s heritage regulatory framework, successful local and regional municipal initiatives such as those by Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) As-Salt Municipality and cases from Jerusalem and Nablus; and held discussions to identify capacity-building needs and action priorities. The workshop concluded with the development of an initial roadmap for strengthening municipal heritage management in the short, medium, and long term. 

The workshop outcomes will inform an upcoming funding application to the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Commonwealth Heritage Skills Training Programme, aimed at expanding capacity-building efforts for municipal heritage management, standardising documentation practices, and supporting the long-term preservation of Jordan’s heritage assets. 

Related Links:

• Empowering the Next Generation of Architects to Preserve Jordan’s Post-1750 Heritage
• Building Capacity and Sustainability: Training for CBRL’s Heritage Documentation Programme