THE "JORDANIAN" ROMAN COMPLEX: Reinventing Urban Landscape to Accommodate Globalization

Since Jordan's modern establishment as an independent political entity in 1921, the Roman Complex in Amman, the capital city of Jordan, regained its function as "the root" of the city. The Roman Complex consists of the Theatre, the Odeon, and the space among them: the Forum. It has come to reflect the vibrant and diverse cultural, political, social and economic life of Jordan. The hustle and bustle of the "root" was interrupted during the summer of 2009 when an urban development project began that altered the urban spaces in and around the complex. The reactions of local residents to this project reflected anger, rejection and frustration. These reactions are examined in detail by conducting an ethnographic study of people's accounts of memories, feelings, knowledge, and activities related to the complex. These accounts, combined with historical photographs and written sources, reveal profound differences in meaning and identity between local citizens and the development community.