Great Irbid’s “Cleaner Energy Saving multi-use public building” project–is an original and progressive concept aiming to establish a Green Car Park, Ride and Connect facility – an energy-saving multi-use public building powered by solar energy.
The site sits in Irbid’s downtown area’s busy yet vibrant heart, adjacent to the historical and archaeological Irbid hill. This area suffers from traffic congestion, lack of parking spots and limited street services, all leading to the degradation of air quality and GHG emissions increase.
By implementing the green multi-storey parking project in this zone, the municipality aims to re-invent the downtown area and create a sustainable development model for public facilities that address local challenges. While doing so, introducing electric buses will not only help reduce traffic congestion and pollution, but these eco-friendly buses also play a pivotal role in creating a quieter and more serene city centre. Moreover, the city will also introduce greener open spaces, encourage green mobility models and nurture cultural variety and innovation, showing its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its citizens.
With a budget of 5.2 million euros, the project, instigated by the municipality of Irbid, has won a distinguished grant from the EU’s Climate for Cities program, C4C, which supports Southern Neighbourhood cities in their energy and climate transition by implementing the concrete actions included in the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs).
Irbid C4C project focuses on promoting environmental protection, climate change mitigation, improving environmental quality and resilience, and ensuring a sustainable, greener future for the city. It demonstrates that the municipality had taken serious actions and set real measures to combat climate change since 2016 when it prepared a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP). This has resulted in an enduring collaboration with the Clima-Med project, acting as the Programme’s Technical Assistance.
After laying the foundation stone on the construction site, Great Irbid municipality has recently taken a step forward and has prepared the designs of the Qasabeh Terminal Station, including architectural, electrical, and mechanical drawings. And the municipal decision is about to be reached regarding the tender of implementation and supervision.
The city is charting a path toward a brighter and more environmentally responsible future for all residents through sustainable development, green mobility options, and innovative projects. Its mayor, Nabil AL-Kofhi, is grateful for the continuous support of the European Union and greatly values the importance of engaging in partnerships with the citizens, state institutions, the private sector, and all international institutions.
The C4C programme aims to contribute to sustainable human development by promoting a transition towards greener and climate-resilient cities in the Southern Neighbourhood, in line with countries’ commitments under the Paris Agreement, and making optimum use of climate finance instruments.