Methods of Integrating Schools in the Urban Fabric as Community Centers

Author/Editor

Hanan Th. A. Amr

Date

2007

Language

English

Keywords

schools, urban integration, community centres, Amman, Jordan

Institution

University of Jordan

Advisor

Prof. Omar Amiereh

Abstract

This thesis searches for a practical solution for the lack of children's spaces in different districts in Amman. Utilizing from the wide open spaces in the school's playground is the initial concept.
Action method, a research approach is followed since it concerns a problematic situation. The qualitative data were collected according to Growing up in Cities (GUIC) program. A sample of four governmental schools and one UNARWA school was considered. Twenty six students were observed and interviewed by using Mosaic Approach under the umbrella of GUIC program. The research benefits from these cases as a study sample for applying the program.
The proposed program has been called "Archi-School"; it introduces a role for the physical building in the educational systems. The program shall begin in almost less-privileged areas, but can extend to encompass any other primary school. There are four main roles for the physical elements in this program which are: enrich the children's cognitive mapping, improve children's motor, social and mental skills, develop the children’s environments, and finally enable children to reach a higher level of self esteem.
The proposed program "Archi-School" doesn't concern mainly about the final product, but on the process, and that what makes the number of the studied sample less important; since the application of the program differs according to the different cultural, economical, and environmental aspects for the target school.
To apply the program, seven practical steps should be followed: forming the teams which include the experts, students and families, collecting data, determining the missions, planning, distributing the jobs, designing the projects and finally having a school as a public community centre and that integrates the school into the urban fabric.
The program is applied by students' participation through practicing architectural and planning skills according to the specific missions.
The social and psychological benefits are parallel to the urban ones, and that makes this thesis different.