Harra is an original Arabic word that describes the core unit of community in Arab and Islamic culture. It is characterized by coherence and a collective moral, where the members of its community socially interact, communicate, and help each other, forming a unique social unit within the urban fabric. Amman, as an Arabic city with a strong Islamic cultural background, originally evolved following
the above-mentioned urban structure. However, Amman’s traditional development was disrupted by its unique terrain landscape. Specifically, Amman has faced enormous growth (in both population and geographic area) within the last five decades, in addition to being opened to a globalized, modern way of life. Amman’s urban structure, as is the case with many other cities facing rapid growth, could not maintain its community integrity and coherence. Amman’s urban neighborhood’s community moral and social systems, especially for women, children and neighbours rights, was lost in this rapid development. The Harra Initiative aims to combat this decline and fill the gap between the individual and the city, laying the foundations for strong, healthy communities in Amman. It started as urban rehabilitation projects it, defining and renewing the physical environment of the community, and has developed into a scheme through which a community can develop socially and economically.
