Masahit Al-Hayy is an initiative started by Sara Nuwwar during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a response to the lack of equipped and easily accessible neighbourhood spaces. The initiative believes that every neighbourhood should have an inclusive, sustainable, and participatory public space which nurtures local responsibility, vocational development, and income-generating opportunities.
Born in 2019, the initiative started as a research-driven exploration into the use patterns of existing public spaces. It grew out of frustration with Amman’s lack of a public realm, which became more apparent during the pandemic with the closure of nearly all private spaces. Conversations with friends, and neighbours grew into the initiative’s simple idea; every neighbourhood should have its own shared space which reflects and responds to its needs.
Masahit Al-Hayy mainly targets underserved urban neighborhoods, with its first project being in Russeifeh. The initiative seeks to activate public land through four core pillars: 1. Social Responsibility Program, cultivating a sense of civic duty and social awareness. 2. Recreational Program, offering physical, cultural, and social leisure spaces. 3. Vocational Training Program, providing hands-on and embedded learning opportunities. 4. Income-Generating Program, supporting community livelihoods via micro-businesses such as kiosks or farmers’ markets. Its key principles include adopting a socio-spatial approach, localising resources, applying circular economy models, fostering autonomous community governance, and encouraging collaboration.
