Rehabilitation of the Cultural Landscape at Umm

Rehabilitation of the Cultural Landscape at Umm-Qais
“The Ottoman Village in the Ancient City of Gadara” Ref. Nr. 261
Authors:
First Euro-Mediterranean Regional Conference
Traditional Mediterranean Architecture.
Present and Future.
Barcelona, 12-15 July 2007. Edifici Vèrtex,
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
Prof. Mohammad El-Khalili
Ph.D. Conservation of Architectural Heritage 1999. M.A. Restoration of Monuments 1992. B.Sc. Architecture 1986. (All at University
of Rome “La Sapienza” Italy). Professor at the Department of Conservation Science, at the Hashemite University of Jordan. Published different articles and participated in many international Projects and conferences
Nizar Al Adarbeh
M.A. Cultural Resources Management. Department of Conservation and Cultural Resources Management, Faculty of Archaeology
and Anthropology, Yarmouk University. B.A. Sustainable Tourism.
Hashemite University. Participated in different researches and projects as well as international conferences for the conservation and
management of cultural heritage.
E-mail address: [email protected]
E-mail address: [email protected]
Tel: +962 5 3903333 ext. 4641
Tel: +962 6 5538597
Address: Hashemite University
Mobile: +962 79 5934326
Mobile: +962 79 6849530
Queen Rania's Institute of Tourism and Heritage
Department of Conservation Science
Zarqa – Jordan
Introduction
A multicultural urban context of Hellenistic, Roman, and Islamic
sequential civilizations, Gadara passed through several
excavation and conservation activities in the last decades
concentrating in uncovering the archaeological part of the city and
conducting some restorations in the site. However, Gadara is in
need of intensive documentation and conservation works
especially for the Ottoman Village.
Research Problem
The expropriation of the Ottoman village by the government, which was intended
to rejoin the village with the rest of the archaeological remains, marked the
beginning of the deterioration of the village, since this action was just to force the
inhabitants to abandon the village without planning for the following actions of
preservation. Consequently, the marginalized role of the local community in
managing the site caused the loss of identity and loyalty.
The continuation of the destructive planning is demonstrated by ignoring the
deterioration occurred inside the Ottoman Village and just sprucing up the
entrance to the ancient city of Gadara. Therefore, it is important to figure out and
assess the status of the Ottoman Village and to suggest new rehabilitation project
among with solutions for the conservation and management.
Rehabilitation Plan
Plan Objectives:
1. Improve the management and conservation of the cultural resources at Umm-Qais.
2. Increase the socio-economic benefits of the local community.
3. Enhance the sustainability of both natural and cultural resources in the region.
4. Setting up the capability of Umm-Qais region including local authorities and governing bodies to plan, develop, and carry out programs for resource conservation and development.
Mythology
Raising the potential of the Ottoman Village by a rehabilitation project which uses
the village as cultural clusters for different kinds of cultural products such as handicrafts, which will be fully local in its implementation and utilization.
The plan will be highlighting the following points:
1. Conducting social and needs assessment at the site;
2. Enhancing mechanisms of community-driven development;
3. Designing monitoring and evaluation system for the project;
4. Tourism assessment both at the project's site and at the national level;
5. Provision of technical assistance to design and implement capacity building
6. Improving the management of cultural assets at the project area;
7. Project management and control;