E Library

This research publication is unique, as it addresses a topic of great documentary importance. The author analyzes the role of the Hashemites in the development of Jordan's architectural civilization, focusing on the role of the Hashemite kings in the capital, Amman, which the researcher has chosen as the subject of his study. The book is distinguished by the precise scientific methodology followed by the researcher. He relied on academic literary research, consulting references on scientific and planning topics, in addition to conducting semi-structured interviews and employing advanced technological strategies and tools for documentation and architectural analysis. This enhances the credibility of the results that the researcher Al-Zuraiqat aims to achieve. The researcher relied, among other technical tools, on a 3D laser scanning device (Leica Geosystems RTC360) and advanced software such as DIGI CAD 3D, which aided in data collection and analysis. In his analysis, the researcher examines the relationship between the political situation and the extent to which this impacted the formation of the architectural and urban frameworks of Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The book elaborates on the relationship between the Hashemite and Amman's urban architecture, highlighting the Hashemite kings' reliance on buildings and urban areas as a means of enhancing their legitimacy. It also highlights the Jordanian identity represented by the capital, Amman, which hosted many prominent political events. In this regard, the researcher notes that the features of urban distinction did not crystallize before independence, given the Ottomans' reliance on a unified approach to construction that did not enhance the formation of the local architectural structure. In his book, the researcher points out that the independence that occurred in the late 1940s had a pivotal impact on the architectural character of Amman. The city's architectural identity began to take shape clearly in the 1970s and 1980s, continuing through the 1990s, which witnessed significant efforts to revive the historical values of urban areas. At the beginning of the millennium, the government took steps to improve Jordan's reputation on the global stage, while the second decade of the millennium was characterized by an increased involvement of Amman identity with political and religious symbols. The researcher believes that the construction of official and urban buildings in Jordan depends on two main factors: functional needs and the continuous development of architectural identity. The book's importance is highlighted in the context of the transformations Jordan has witnessed, which have had a significant impact on urban and architectural development. Despite the importance of these transformations, the studies that have addressed this topic are not sufficient to cover it fully. Due to the lack of adequate documentation resulting from the loss of some government documents, the scarcity of documentation from the colonial period in Jordan, the absence of narrative documentation, and the fading of historical memory, this study complements previous efforts and prepares for future studies that will enhance the national knowledge library through comprehensive documentation and analysis of the architectural structure, fill research gaps, correct some historical inaccuracies, and provide opportunities for additional studies. In light of the obtained results, the researcher presents a set of recommendations to ensure the sustainability of architectural documentation in Jordan and to develop urban environments in a manner that reflects the Kingdom's history and enriches the national library. The recommendations include the importance of architectural documentation to ensure the continuity of Jordan's urban history for future generations and to highlight architectural details that reflect societal transformations and events. The researcher recommends adopting a critical approach to studying the relationship between documentation and politics in geopolitical transformations, emphasizing cooperation between actors, such as the Royal Hashemite Court, governments, universities, and the Engineers Association, to establish specialized departments dedicated to documenting official buildings and preserving historical records. He also recommends including educational courses on architectural documentation and implementing programs that support accuracy and reliability in documentation. The book addresses the research problem in five main chapters, beginning with a general introduction and a review of the literature used. Chapter three then moves on to the practical methodology. Chapter four presents the expected results and documents the most prominent developments in Amman's architectural environment. Chapter five concludes with an analysis of the findings and research recommendations.