Time Zone |
Asia/Hebron |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+2 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+3 |
Time Zone |
Europe/Podgorica |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+1 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+2 |
Located about 25 kilometers north of Jordan's capital Amman, Rawabi is the first smart city in the Middle East to be planned and built from scratch. The project was initiated in 2005 with the impetus of Jordan's King Abdullah II, with the aim of easing the demographic pressure on Amman through sustainable design.
Rawabi is planned to cover an area of 38 square kilometers and is expected to accommodate 150,000 residents. With a focus on 'green, technology and livability', the city will be developed in a layered concept that integrates residential areas, commercial centers and natural parks. The name "Rawabi" means "high ground" in Arabic, echoing its mountainous geography.
The urban design incorporates 40% green space with solar power systems, rainwater harvesting and smart waste disposal facilities. The transportation network uses light rail as the backbone, combined with bike paths and pedestrian systems, with the goal of achieving zero-carbon mobility. core amenities such as the Rawabi American School and a shopping mall have been built since the first residents moved in in 2015.
Rawabi focuses on the information technology, healthcare and cleantech industries, attracting international companies such as the Microsoft Innovation Center. The city's tax incentives and startup funds have helped transform Jordan's economy, and it has been hailed as a testbed for the "Silicon Valley of the Middle East.
Nikšić, Montenegro, the second largest city in the country, is located in the northwestern Moraca Valley, about 60 kilometers from the capital, Podgorica. A crossroads of industry and culture, the city's economy was once based on steel and aluminum, but today it combines traditional agriculture with modern industry. The history of the city dates back to Roman times, with the ruins of medieval castles and Ottoman-style buildings bearing witness to the vicissitudes of time, and religious landmarks such as St. George's Church carrying cultural memories. Surrounded by mountains and lakes, the city has a pleasant natural environment and is a destination for outdoor sports enthusiasts. The warm hospitality of the local people and the traditional festival "Nikšić Cultural Festival" show the rich folklore, making it an important city in Montenegro with vitality and heritage.