Improving the validity and credibility of the sociocultural valuation of ecosystem services in Amman, Jordan

Reading an Urban Palimpsest: How the Gradual Loss of an Urban Stream Impacts Urban Form's Connections and Ecosystem Functions

“…The first, in 1967 when, at the advice of British experts (Hacker, 1960), culverted the western segment of the stream between the Hashemite Plaza in front of the Classical era Theater and a point that became locally knows as Sagf el-Seil (literally translates to "the ceiling over the stream") where the stream flowed in underground culverts. The second phase, in 1997 when a new compound for the Greater Amman Municipality Head Offices was constructed, led to the culverting of the remaining exposed parts of the stream starting from its source at Ras Al-' Ain to Sagf al-Seil (Sakr, 2013;Peck and Khirfan, 2021). Between 2009 and 2011, a newly-designed Hashemite Plaza surrounding the Classical era Theater and Odeum was constructed during which, to the chagrin of Amman's residents, a green park with mature trees and a local market were demolished (Abu-Khafajah and Al Rabady, 2013).…”

“…Even before any culverting of the Amman Stream, rainwater runoff caused several floods mentioned in Abdul Rahman Munif 's memoir "Story of a City: A Childhood in Amman" and documented in historic photos (Munif, 1996) (Figure 9). Eventually, the runoff and the continuous floods degraded the stream's ecosystem, leading to its pollution, and consequently, to its partial and finally complete culverting in 1967 and 1997 (see Hacker, 1960;Sakr, 2013;Peck and Khirfan, 2021). If anything, however, this eradication of the Amman Stream from the urban form, exacerbated the flooding events.…”

Recognizing, normalizing and articulating: An approach to highlight plural values of water ecosystem services in Colombia

“…For this reason, we found valuable the results provided by InVEST and the water regulation index, which contrasted with expert-based consultation and community perceptions. This represents a normal aspect in ES valuation, which is juxtaposition of values ( Manzolli et al., 2022 ; Peck and Khirfan, 2021 ; Suarez et al., 2021 ). We are aware on the complexity of applying several methodological steps, however, PV studies should face this load because resources, time and skills are necessary ( Maydana et al., 2020 ; Lopes and Videira, 2019 ).…”

“…ecological, social, monetary), and they are articulated at different scales. To address this, we followed a Pragmatic philosophy ( Melnikovas, 2018 ; Peck and Khirfan, 2021 ); moreover, we followed the call for applying multiple methods aimed at obtaining ES plural values ( Jacobs et al., 2016 ). Therefore, we combined several methods, and we followed a mixed quantitative-driven methodology, following an exploratory sequential design in which qualitative data was acquired first, followed by quantitative data, and finally a process of interpretation of results ( Creswell and Creswell, 2018 ).…”

Against Climate Haussmannization: Transformation Through and In Urban Design

“…Our global research suggests some areas for transformative practice in combining nature-based solutions, socially-embedded morphology, and deep inclusion for coastal adaptation in diverse settlements from the west coasts of Tobago (Trinidad and Tobago) and Negril (Jamaica) to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (Canada) (Dhar and Khirfan 2016; Khirfan 2014; Khirfan and El-Shayeb 2020; 2021; Khirfan and Zhang 2016). A recent study in Amman (Jordan) used a deliberative Q-Method 1 to assess local experts’ valuation of urban water features – a crucial ecological design element for Amman and other water-stressed cities (Khirfan and Peck 2021; Peck and Khirfan 2021). This research sought to develop a model for justice-oriented climate transformation addressing root causes of unequal climate change vulnerability (Shi and Moser 2021).…”