Projects: 2010 to 2014

Keywords:  Spatial Strategy, Urban Design, Economic Strategy, Sustainability, Conservation, Place Design, Capital Strategy

Partners: Sasaki, Buro Happold, Sigma Engineering

Awards and Press:  Winner of the 2012 American Institute of Architects Honor Award

Dead Sea Tourism Development Master Plan

Consultants from OHK were retained as part of an international consortium to guide a comprehensive development strategy for a 73-square kilometer area encompassing the majority of Jordan’s Dead Sea shoreline. In addition to a year-long market survey that established the economic baseline for the study region, the team also took the lead in the destination spatial strategy. A concept was developed that called for 12 new town districts connected through a carefully planned continuum of economic and mobility axes.

In order to realize the ambitious plan, our client needed an aggressive investment promotion strategy for sale of land to resort investors and infrastructure developers. Consultants from OHK provided economic, financial, and investor strategy components, helping to inform the development program and enabling tourism-oriented investors and entrepreneurs to maximize value from their participation in the implementation of the master plan. The economic impact of this mega-scale land development scheme was modeled using our proprietary land development financial modeling tools and financial pro-formas, supported by a land pricing model, transaction costing and various funding options, as well as an economic impact analysis.

Keywords:  Conservation, Rehabilitation, Community Development, Capital Strategy, Experience Design

Spatial Development Planning for Protected Areas

The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) retained consultants from OHK to draft a spatial plan designed to maximize conservation effectiveness while ensuring the long-term financial viability of the organization through the identification of potential touristic revenue generators. The spatial plan, which covered sixteen nature reserves across Jordan as well as a number of supplementary sites in major Jordanian urban centers, re-planned the management of world renowned reserves like Mujib and Dana to ensure their economic sustainability, improved services to visitors, and efficient conservation planning and management.

Accompanying this spatial plan was a communication strategy that helped the RSCN effectively brand and market its tourism offerings towards more dynamic, mature, and lucrative markets. A holistic community engagement model utilized trends in population growth and community needs in the areas surrounding the reserves, and provided concrete recommendations by which the RSCN would engage with these communities to encourage sustainable and ecologically compatible growth.

Keywords:  Economic Strategy, Spatial Planning, Urban Design, Place Design

King Abdullah Civic Center Master Plan

Consultants from OHK prepared an integrated master plan for the waterfront development of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The first of its kind in Saudi Arabia, this plan paves the way for an innovative, mixed-use waterfront that has set the standard in the Kingdom for high-density, livable urban environments. With a mixture of residential, retail, civic, and recreational functions, the Civic Center design constitutes a robust strategy and new paradigm for waterfront development in Saudi Arabia. A broad survey of stakeholder and city communities’ perceptions was used to gauge popular needs and expectations as well as the socioeconomic and cultural opportunities and constraints posed by the development. The team developed both an economic strategy and a master plan based on a market-based and design-led process, respectively, which redefined how public spaces and civic buildings are funded and delivered, what type of standards should guide their delivery, and how they should respond to changing citizens’ needs and perceptions of quality public space.

The master plan featured a unique urban waterfront land use plan providing civic, retail, hospitality, and recreational functions, thus expanding the traditionally limited functionality of local public spaces. Infrastructure and civic amenity plans covered a comprehensive roadway, waterway, and bridge design package maximizing the integration of the site into the existing waterfront fabric and maximizing usability of the site for all strata of Dammami society. A phasing strategy was designed to leverage the potential for private investment and maximize the return on public investment while ensuring uninterrupted service and continued functionality of the waterfront environment. 

Keywords: Economic Strategy, Capital Strategy, Information Technology 

Vision Plan for an Amman Healthcare e-Hub

Amman, Jordan is one of the top ten health tourism destinations in the world and a rising star in global medical treatment. However, the various providers remain fragmented and their physical and technology infrastructures lack an integrated hub. Consultants from OHK developed a vision plan that would employ information and telecommunication technologies coupled with strategic physical interventions in clinic clusters across a variety of Amman neighborhoods to improve and enhance the efficiency of service delivery to international patients.

OHK developed a medical tourism strategy for Amman’s clinic neighborhoods to transform them into a virtual healthcare city. This involved a competitiveness analysis, product mapping, physical planning, and a public-private partnership framework for government and private clinics. The team drafted an organizational and institutional management proposal to administer the area as a special zone run by a dedicated body that would engage with numerous ministerial, municipal, private sector, and local community stakeholders. 

Keywords:  Conservation, Community Development, Rehabilitation, Urban Design

The 100 Historic Towns Revitalization Plan

Jordan contains numerous towns and villages rich in indigenous architecture but that have been historically neglected. After a multi-year data collection and baselining process, consultants from OHK selected and developed detailed master plans for a network of 100 culturally and aesthetically distinctive rural Jordanian villages. Intended to revitalize the villages and situate them as vital resident communities and burgeoning tourist attractions, the master plans made provisions not only for sympathetic and durable public space within the villages, but also analyzed and leveraged land ownership patterns to identify and propose uses for developable land. They effectively established a network of local economic offerings in each area, while substantially augmenting civic, communal, tourism, and service facilities.

Groups of buildings, properties, or sites were delineated within historic districts and assigned a special urban and building control ordinance. Heritage street restoration involved a complete reconstructive design with a multi-phased facade restoration of the oldest streets that once comprised the historic fabric of the countryside villagescapes. The plans encouraged conservation and the use of buffer areas and ecological land uses, thereby accommodating growth while preserving the environmental and aesthetic resources of the villages. Even more importantly, the master-planned villages will constitute a cluster of related but discrete “networked” tourism destinations, building the reputation and economy of the region through a sustainable and interwoven value chain founded on eco-, agri-, and cultural tourism. 

Keywords:  Rehabilitation, Community Development

Sweimeh Town Redevelopment Plan

Consultants from OHK created an economic strategy for the Jordanian town of Sweimeh, a small and struggling community of 4,200 residents adjacent to large touristic land investment programs. The consultants worked closely with a planning firm to guide their designers on adapting Western town planning concepts to different contexts. This involved a public services and amenities strategy that integrated the needs of international visitors to a tourist destination with the needs of the local population. 

The consultant team also broke the cycle of insular resort planning, which traditionally segregates local communities as support outposts for labor and resources. Rather, Sweimeh was conceived of as an integral part of the identity and experience of its neighboring tourist destination. This was achieved through a redesign of the old town district, revitalizing its economy and improving pedestrian life, services, in situ economic opportunities, and affordable housing.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Development, Economic Strategy, Information Technology

Jordan National ICT Master Plan

Consultants from OHK provided technical assistance towards formulating an Information and Communication Technology Master Plan for Jordan, enabling significant improvement across sectors and services of the economy ranging from social infrastructure and healthcare services to entrepreneurship and innovation. The advisory team surveyed the various line ministries to determine their respective core activities, and developed tailored requirements and technical standards accordingly. Furthermore, government-wide integration opportunities were defines, making it easier for citizens to access shared services. 

The master plan was built on identifying opportunities for ICT services in the most efficient and cost effective manner and encouraging institutional strategies for technology and ICT systems. The consulting effort culminated in a 10-year action plan that identified priorities and informed capital investments, whether among specific institutions, across sectors, or nationally. The master plan was made entrepreneurship-friendly by mapping startup opportunities in each sector and by providing this data to budding entrepreneurs. The master plan and map were featured in the ICT Amman Forum.

Keywords: Infrastructure

Privatization of Electricity Distribution in Nigeria

The government of Nigeria is privatizing its power sector to address years of underinvestment in assets, poor management, and sub-par utilization of generation and distribution assets. OHK’s Ahmed Hassan was the team leader for implementing a business strategy to privatize several distribution companies.

Acquisition plans for two national utilities were developed, including the sale structuring of $200M shares, along with implementation of transformational technical, business, management, and transaction strategies. As a result, the acquisition was successful, new management has been put in place, access to private sector capital has been secured, and various change measures are currently under implementation. 

Keywords:  Spatial Strategy, Economic Strategy, Urban Design, Capital Strategy

Review of Konza Techno City Master Plan

Consultants from OHK conducted due diligence for and review of Kenya’s $14.5B Konza Techno City, a master planned ICT city currently under development as an economic park on 5,000 acres of land 60 kilometers south of Nairobi. As the project entered its implementation phase, we were retained as experts to review the spatial master plan and economic strategy.

The consultants' role was to ensure that the implementation roadmap was achievable and underscored the vision of a sustainable, world-class technology hub with a vibrant mix of businesses, workers, residents, and urban amenities. The team helped formulate an execution plan for the Konza Technopolis Development Authority, the first phase of a $300M, four-year implementation process.

Keywords: Spatial Strategy, Information Technology

Smart City Strategy for Dubai and Abu Dhabi

OHK’s Ahmed Hassan advised master developers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in planning city-wide smart infrastructure covering several multibillion dollar developments. He worked with leadership and technology experts to define stakeholder value through an innovative and commercially viable approach to “smart” transformation. This included a business and financing plan for three business models - a management services company, a network infrastructure business, and a business cluster of smart city concessions - that struck a balance between business strategy and service provision to visitors and residents. The strategy was integrated in several large-scale developments on the Palm Island, downtown Dubai, and Lulu Island in Abu Dhabi.

Keywords: Community Development, Information Technology, Education

Technology-enabled Smart Schools Program for Egypt

Consultants from OHK provided project management and financial advisory services to a USAID-funded project working in several regions across Egypt to improve the quality of teaching and learning through the use of technology in schools. The consultants' role was to ensure transparent and impact-driven allocation of funds including setting policies, success metrics, performance measurement, and project and impact accounting.

The consultant team's work was instrumental in enlisting private sector partners to integrate education technology into education-based reform activities in ways that improve student-learning outcomes. More than 250 schools were transformed into Smart Schools and are undergoing technology-based reform.

Keywords: Community Development, Education

Discovery Channel Global Education Program

Consultants from OHK provided project management and financial advisory services under a public-private partnership initiative between Discovery Channel Global Education Program and USAID, with a mission to extend learning opportunities to people living in underserved areas with little access to educational resources. The team helped the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership apply financial due diligence and advised on allocation of funds towards a unique and sustainable approach for bringing information to underserved communities in North Africa.

Keywords: Rehabilitation, Conservation, Community Development

Dana Cultural Rehabilitation and Tourism Development

The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature is one of the Middle East’s most prominent national park management organizations, and to aid its effort to expand its positive impacts on reserve-adjacent communities, consultants from OHK established a national blueprint for integrated conservation and socio-economic development in Jordan. Piloted in Dana Reserve with an investment of $5M, a multi-year program was implemented to preserve the heritage value of over 300 old houses in this one-of-a-kind historic village, built on the ruins of a Byzantine castle.

The project entailed restoration work of Jordan’s first heritage village combined with investment in infrastructure and services to provide for a tourism-based economy. As a result, attractions and services for 120,000 annual visitors have enabled heritage sites to edge towards financial sustainability. Tourism as cultural resilience and preservation was a key achievement of this project; it provides an example of how redeveloping village landscapes into tourist economies with proper design and investment in tourist facilities and services can maintain both livelihoods and peoples’ historic and architectural values.

Keywords: Rehabilitation, Conservation, Experience Design

Machaerus Conservation and Commercialization Strategy

Consultants from OHK were tasked with the development of a conservation plan for the Machaerus Fortress and Herod’s Palace located on Jordan’s Eastern Dead Sea. Extensive historic research and site analytics were performed to establish a baseline on which to map the site’s complex challenges and opportunities for conservation, rehabilitation, and tourism development. A digital reconstruction of the site based on archaeological findings was utilized to devise a concept for a ‘tourism village’ complete with tourist circuits, services, and infrastructure that link it to key destination spots in Jordan.

The team used market analysis findings to build both tourism products that meet a variety of tourism experiences as well as cultural interpretations that enhance the site’s cultural and historic values. A tendering process, site design, and management guidelines for developing the site through a public-private partnership were also formulated.

Keywords: Heritage Management, Rehabilitation

Jordanian Baptism Site Management Audit

A team from OHK was retained to undertake a site audit of the baptism site of Jesus on the Jordan River. The purpose of the assignment was to devise a management plan in light of visitation to the site, its religious character, and UNESCO’s sponsorship requirements. We developed a framework for long-term conservation and enhancement of the site facilities supported by local guidance, plans, and operational manuals. Public consultation to inform collaborative objectives and action plans was critical to the project success and to ensuring that deliverables addressed issues about the site’s conservation planning and protection, tourism promotion and interpretation, management of infrastructure and services, and partnerships and roles across stakeholders.

Keywords: Capital Strategy, Institutional Strategy, Conservation

Wild Jordan Nature Center Redevelopment Blueprint

Over a one-year engagement, a team from OHK Consultants was based in Jordan working on a blueprint to transform the iconic ‘Wild Jordan’ urban hub in downtown Amman. Our role was to sustain its growth and enhance its brand as one of the world’s most successful examples of NGO-led natural heritage management. Our team worked to advance the mission of research, education, and promotion towards further financial sustainability.

Presently, the Wild Jordan Center serves as the premier promotion hub for nature heritage conservation and tourism in protected areas that cover 5,000 square kilometers of Jordan’s land area, and serve more than a quarter million visitors per year. 

Keywords: Rehabilitation, Capital Strategy

Dead Sea Panoramic Complex Management Strategy

OHK specialists in architecture, historic rehabilitation, and tourism development were advisors to the Government of Jordan, its Ministry of Tourism, and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature to implement a transformational project for the Dead Sea Panorama Complex, through a $2.5M grant from the Japanese government. The strategy envisaged taking the Complex from a low-use visitor center to a self-sustaining hub for conventions and events in one of Jordan’s fastest growing tourist destinations.

We also provided the government with a public-private partnership implementation package that provides for management guidelines, transaction advisory, and operational plans under a private-sector concession. At the time of implementing the strategy, the complex has increased in visitation to 80,000 visitors per year.

Keywords: Conservation, Community Development, Development Strategy

Pella Tourism Master Plan

Consultants from OHK were retained to formulate a conservation and development strategy to enhance the Pella antiquity site and to grow its visitation through sustainable practices. The team devised market-based and high-value development opportunities which were translated into a programmatic tourism plan with conservation safeguards. An infrastructure and services plan that addressed the long-term growth of accessibility, service, and utility needs was integrated into a smart growth strategy.

Inclusion of existing communities was enhanced through integrating peoples’ historic uses in the area and introducing a master planned downtown hub that accommodates investments in hotels, retail, food, and other visitor services.

Keywords: Economic Strategy, Community Development, Capacity Building, Experience Design, Enterprise Development

10-year Heritage Handicraft Development Strategy

The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature has placed emphasis on the development of Jordan’s handicraft sector. Members from OHK’s team helped the Society formulate a sustainable traditional industries’ national strategy and implementation framework. The strategy matched local communities as key implementers in areas within and around nature reserves with local young designers working from Jordan’s cultural symbols. The team helped advance price, promotion, place, and product strategies that focused on the customer market, competition, and the life cycle of the product. Innovation, branding, restructuring of enterprise formation practices, and outlet expansion were key strategic choices. A series of specialized outlets such as the Soap House and a shop in the Amman International Airport today bring in more than $2M in revenue that directly benefits nature conservation and local communities.