University of Jordan Street

University of Jordan Street (Arabic: شارع الجامعة الأردنيّة), also known as Queen Rania Al Abdullah Street (Arabic: شارع الملكة رانيا العبدالله), is a major thoroughfare in northwest Amman, Jordan. It is one of the city's most vital urban arteries, historically connecting East and West Amman and serving as a key route toward the capital’s northern outskirts. The street gained its popular name from the University of Jordan – the country’s oldest and largest university founded in 1962 – which spans several kilometers along its length.^[1] Officially renamed in honor of Queen Rania Al Abdullah (Jordan’s queen since 1999), it is still commonly referred to as "University Street" due to the university’s dominant presence on it.

Queen Rania Street is defined by its concentration of major educational and healthcare institutions, most notably the University of Jordan (UJ) and Jordan University Hospital (JUH), supported by a dense network of private colleges, training centers, laboratories, clinics, pharmacies, bookstores, and student-oriented services. The surrounding neighborhoods feature extensive student housing and mixed-use developments, while the street level accommodates cafés, restaurants, copy centers, and retail outlets catering to the campus and hospital communities.

Functioning as both an inter-district thoroughfare and a key transit axis, the street carries high traffic volumes and includes grade-separated junctions at major intersections such as the Press Tunnel. Since 2021, it has incorporated dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes and stations linking Sweileh and Sports City with central Amman.

Originally developed in the 1960s as a roadway to the newly established University of Jordan campus, the street was commonly called "University of Jordan Street" for decades. As Amman expanded, the road and surrounding area urbanized rapidly, evolving from a peripheral lane into a bustling city corridor. In the early 2000s, the Greater Amman Municipality officially designated it Queen Rania Al Abdullah Street to honor Jordan’s queen, reflecting her contributions to education. Despite the official change, local usage of "University Street" (Arabic: شارع الجامعة) remains widespread. By 1996, the importance of the area was such that a new administrative district (liwā’) was created around it – centered in Jubaiha (the university’s district) and encompassing neighborhoods like Tla' Al-Ali, Umm Al-Summaq, Khalda, Sweileh, and Shafa Badran.^[2]

Queen Rania Street runs in a general southeast–northwest direction in northwest Amman, linking the city center with outlying northern suburbs. The street’s southeast terminus is near the Sports City area (Al-Madina Al-Riyadiyya; Arabic: المدينة الرّياضيّة), where it connects with major roads like Al-Shaheed Street and Wasfi Al-Tal (Gardens; Arabic: الجاردنز) Street at the Sports City Intersection.^[3] From there it proceeds northwest through the Jubaiha district, passing along the expansive University of Jordan campus. One side of the street borders the university and adjacent neighborhoods such as Qutnah, Dahiat Al-Rasheed, and the University District (all part of Jubaiha), while the opposite side faces the districts of Tla’ Al-Ali and Khalda. The roadway continues northwest until it reaches the Sweileh area on Amman’s northwestern edge, which marks its terminus. In Sweileh, Queen Rania Street meets King Abdullah II Street (also known as Medical City Street). The street lies about 6.7 km from the absolute city center of Amman.^[2]

University/Queen Rania Street is a transportation spine in Amman's road network, historically carrying heavy traffic between the capital and northern regions. For many years, it was the primary route for travelers heading north toward Jerash and Irbid. It leads to chronic congestion as Amman grew. In response, the municipality undertook major infrastructure projects to improve traffic flow.^[3] A notable development was the construction of Jordan Street (Arabic: شارع الأردن), a 28 km highway bypass opened in 2005. Jordan Street was designed to relieve pressure on Queen Rania Street by providing an alternate high-speed corridor connecting Amman to the northern governorates without traffic lights. Its opening helped alleviate the "saturation" level congestion that had plagued University Street in the 1990s and early 2000s.^[3]

Within the street itself, several upgrades have improved capacity and safety. A prominent feature is the Al-Sahafa Tunnel ("Press Tunnel"; Arabic: نفق الصّحافة) at a busy intersection in Tla’ Al-Ali, named for the nearby newspaper offices. This underpass and flyover complex allows through-traffic on Queen Rania Street to bypass a major junction. In 2007, the city also upgraded pedestrian infrastructure near the University, opening improved foot underpasses that link the university campus with neighborhoods across the road. These pedestrian tunnels – heavily used by students crossing daily – were renovated to include lighting, small shops and kiosks, decorative murals of Amman's landmarks, and landscaping at the entrances.^[4]

Public transport has long been important on the street, as it serves thousands of commuters and students. Dozens of regular bus and service-taxi routes have stops along University Street. Recognizing its strategic transit role, Amman's authorities integrated the corridor into the city’s new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. The first phase of Amman’s BRT, launched in 2021, runs a 25 km route from Sweileh down Queen Rania Street through Sports City toward the central city.^[5] Along Queen Rania Street, dedicated BRT lanes were constructed in the median, with modern stations serving major points including the University of Jordan. To accommodate the BRT, the street's infrastructure was significantly upgraded: a 600-meter elevated BRT viaduct was built over the Press Tunnel intersection,^[3] and the Sports City intersection was reconfigured with new overpasses. In 2018, an overpass and station were added above Al-Sahafa Tunnel specifically for BRT.^[3] Similarly, in 2021 a new flyover was opened to carry traffic from Queen Rania Street directly onto Al-Shaheed Street at Sports City.^[3] These projects were part of a broader urban mobility plan to encourage public transit use; the BRT buses on Queen Rania Street run every few minutes, offering fast, high-capacity service for up to 43,000 daily passengers – many of them University of Jordan students and staff.^[6] During construction of the BRT lanes (initially begun around 2010), the street experienced severe disruptions and lane closures, drawing public complaints about traffic jams. However, officials stressed that the short-term inconveniences would yield long-term benefits for mobility.^[7]

Queen Rania Street is lined with numerous important landmarks, institutions, and commercial centers that contribute to its prominence. The most notable landmark is the University of Jordan (UJ) campus, which dominates a significant stretch of the road.^[8] The campus' main gates and perimeter run along the street, and a large proportion of the street’s daily users are students, faculty, and visitors to the university. Within the university grounds but visible from the street are facilities like the University of Jordan Mosque (a large domed mosque serving students and the community) and the distinctive university clock tower. The presence of the university has, in fact, given the street much of its character and nickname. Adjacent to the university is the Jordan University Hospital (JUH), another key institution on Queen Rania Street. JUH opened in 1973 and became the country’s first teaching hospital after affiliating with the university in 1975.^[9] Located in the Jubeiha district directly on Queen Rania Street, the large hospital complex has expanded over the years to meet growing healthcare and medical training needs.

Several other educational and research institutions are found along or near the street. The Queen Rania Teacher Academy, a specialized institute for training teachers (established with royal patronage), is located on the UJ campus off Queen Rania Street.^[10] Additionally, private educational centers – such as language institutes (e.g. Qasid Arabic Institute) – have premises in the vicinity, drawn by the large student population.^[11] The street is also home to headquarters of some major organizations; for example, the offices of Al Ra'i and Ad-Dustour newspaper (one of Jordan’s leading daily papers) are located along Queen Rania Street in the Tla' Al-Ali section, a locale sometimes called the "Press area" (hence the name of the Press Tunnel).^[12]

In terms of commercial landmarks, shopping centers and malls have emerged to serve residents and students. Notably, Sameh Mall and Majdi Mall are large supermarket and retail complex lies near the street.^[13] Closer to the university, numerous bookstores, copy centers, and stationery shops cater to student needs, while electronics stores and service providers line the road. There are also a number of hotels of varying sizes along the street, including student-oriented hostels and mid-range hotels that accommodate visiting families and academic conference attendees. The Abu al-Haj Commercial Complex, a multi-story retail and office building, is another landmark near the university’s main gate, known for its bookstores and cafés. While there is no major public square on the roadway itself, the street’s terminus at Sweileh intersects a busy local roundabout (Sweileh Circle, historically a small town center) which has effectively become an important transit hub and public space in that area.

Religious landmarks along Queen Rania Street include several mosques besides the campus mosque. In the Sweileh district at the northwest end, one finds the Sweileh Grand Mosque, an older mosque serving the local community. Smaller neighborhood mosques are dispersed along the street’s length in the residential areas of Tla’ Al-Ali and Jubaiha. These, along with churches in nearby side streets, reflect the local communities that have grown around the corridor.

The area has a youthful atmosphere with many cafés, restaurants, and snack stalls clustered along the road. Affordable eateries – from falafel and shawarma stands to cafes and study lounges – thrive here, often filled with students between classes.^[14] This abundance and variety of dining options has made parts of the street a popular leisure destination even for young people not attending the university. In fact, Medina Street (a major cross-street) and University Street together form a well-known "restaurant district" in Amman's north, with cuisines ranging from local Jordanian and Arabic food to international fast food (Pizza Hut, KFC, Popeyes, Domino’s, etc.).^[15] The lively street scene, especially around the university gates, has contributed to a broader campus culture that spills into the surrounding city. It is common to see students gathering at cafes to socialize or holding informal study sessions over coffee, giving the area an energetic, intellectual vibe.^[16]

Economically, the street has significant importance for the local economy and real estate. Because of the constant demand for student accommodation, many apartment buildings in the adjacent neighborhoods house students or university staff. Entire blocks of private dormitories, student apartments, and studios have been built just off the main road. The presence of the hospital similarly attracts pharmacies, medical labs, and clinics to the vicinity.^[17] Property along Queen Rania Street is highly sought after for commercial rental due to the heavy foot traffic. Over the years, the land value in this corridor has risen, and some families have converted villas into restaurants or tutoring centers to capitalize on the location. The street's economic activity is a microcosm of Amman's broader economy, blending education, retail, hospitality, and services.