PROJECT: A New Gateway to Petra

LOCATION: Jordan, World Heritage site

DATE: 2003

ECA led a joint venture with Jordanian multidisciplinary firm Bitar Consultants and London based interpretation designers Land Design Studio to redevelop the visitor facilities to the ancient Nabatean city of Petra in Jordan, with funding from the World Bank.

Petra is a magical place for the other-worldliness of its topography and geology alone. The power of this landscape must have inspired the Nabateans to make it their sacred home, carving the rock over many centuries to create their city. This is in direct contrast to the 20th century additions that have arisen piecemeal around the site, to meet the demands of tourism.