Al-Buhtari Park is a grassroots initiative led by two local artists and community organisers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It began with the idea of transforming a neglected public park in Amman into a living, community-driven space, despite repeated claims from the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) that such efforts could never succeed.
Working closely with local residents, particularly children and youth, they co-created a playground and planted a self-sustaining Miyawaki forest using native trees, recycled materials, and locally produced compost. Collaborations with the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Investment Bank’s CSR programme supported the process.
Unlike previous attempts at renovation, the team committed to the park long after the opening; negotiating with GAM’s bureaucracy, building trust with the community, and addressing fears of theft and vandalism through shared stewardship. Emphasising care, creativity, collaboration and persistence, today, Al-Buhtari Park stands as a rare example of sustained community-led urban renovation in Amman, offering a thriving space for play gathering in Amman.
