Al-Buhturi Park is a grassroots initiative led by two local artists 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.
The project challenged this narrative by working closely with local residents, particularly children and young people, to co-create a playground and plant a self-sustaining Miyawaki forest using native trees and recycled materials. Partnerships with small local producers, such as farmers supplying compost, and collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture supported this process, while the Investment Bank provided initial funding through its CSR programme.
Unlike many previous attempts at renovation, the Al-Buhturi team committed to the park long after the official opening. They negotiated with GAM’s bureaucratic structures while simultaneously building trust with the community, addressing fears of theft and vandalism by involving long-term residents in stewardship. Their approach emphasised care, resilience, and tactical creativity, reusing materials, adapting to institutional barriers, and insisting on participation even when informal.
Today, Al-Buhturi Park stands as a rare example of sustained community-led urban renovation in Amman. It continues to thrive more than two years after its creation, offering both a green space for play and gathering, and a replicable model of how grassroots initiatives can reimagine public parks as shared, cared-for spaces in the city.
