JSSHRF ISSN: 2748-9345
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REVIEW: URBAN RENEWAL OF HISTORICAL CITY CENTERS IN IRAQ
Dhifaf Riyadh Salih
University of Kufa, College of Education for Girls, Iraq
Prof. Dr. Hussein Jaaz Nasser Al-Fatlawi
University of Kufa, College of Education for Girls, Iraq
Prof. Dr. Jawad Kadhim Obaid Al-Hasnawi
University of Kufa, College of Education for Girls, Iraq
AB O U T ART I CL E
Key words:
Urban renewal, cultural heritage,
environmental sustainability, cities.
Received:
05.12.2024
Accepted
: 10.12.2024
Published
: 15.12.2024
Abstract:
Urban renewal is a complex process
that requires a delicate balance between
preserving the cultural heritage and historical
identity of cities, meeting contemporary
residents' needs, and developing infrastructure.
Thus, urban renewal refers to reviving and
revitalizing
historical
centers
without
compromising their historical identity, as they
represent a national economic wealth if exploited
for tourism. The study seeks to demonstrate
urban renewal in Iraq (which means a multi-
faceted process coming from the context of a long
history and a present full of challenges. After
decades of wars and conflicts, Iraqi cities seek to
rebuild themselves and raise them to a level that
keeps pace with future aspirations), while
clarifying the components and methods of urban
renewal, challenges, and treatments in Iraqi
society.
INTRODUCTION
Most Iraqi city centers suffer from neglect, deterioration, and deterioration of the urban fabric due to
environmental pressures, the increasing demographic reality, and the urgent need to improve the two
types of life. These challenges necessitate the search for mechanisms and methods to enhance urban
renewal through comprehensive planning and effective implementation. In this context, the importance
of clarifying the components of urban renewal emerges, the most important of which are:
VOLUME04 ISSUE12
https://doi.org/10.55640/jsshrf-04-12-10
Pages: 65-67
JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH FUNDAMENTALS
ISSN: 2748-9345
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1- Comprehensive planning: i.e., comprehensiveness in guidance in terms of planning (such as housing,
spatial formation, infrastructure services, social and architectural services) by preparing timetables
and a budget for each renewal project.
2- Community participation: It is not just an essential process in urban renewal, but a fundamental one.
It provides individuals with the opportunity to actively participate in decisions that shape the
development of their cities. This level of involvement is not just beneficial, but necessary, to ensure the
creation of more just and sustainable cities. It's a process that makes everyone feel like they have a stake
in the future of their urban environment.
3- Preserving the cultural heritage: This is not just a task, but a responsibility that we all share. It's about
upgrading, restoring, and maintaining heritage buildings to preserve the cultural identity of our cities.
It's about protecting these centers from destruction and vandalism, recognizing their valuable cultural
and economic value. It's a duty that we must uphold to ensure that our cities retain their unique
character and charm.
4- Sustainable economic development is not just about encouraging investment and providing an
attractive environment. It's about creating a future where our cities thrive in various sectors,
supporting small and medium enterprises, and ensuring their necessary financing. It's an effective tool
for the success of urban renewal plans and sustainability. The future of our cities is bright, and we can
achieve it through innovative solutions and careful planning.
1- Preservation: This is one of the essential renewal methods, the importance of which is related to
preserving heritage and extending the life of the urban heritage, i.e. reviving the heart and soul of the
urban entity and protecting it from damage and extinction, restoring damaged parts and returning them
to their original state as much as possible, and trying to re-employ them for new uses that are
compatible with the present without compromising their historical value, and it includes preserving the
social and economic structure in addition to the urban structure.
2- Rehabilitation: It is restoring and modernizing old buildings and historical centers in cities while
preserving their distinctive character and cultural heritage and preparing them to suit modern
environmental and economic standards and requirements to restore stability and urban balance to
those areas. It may include replacing lost historical features (replacing an exact copy or a new design
compatible with the era and historical place). Rehabilitation may also be comprehensive or partial in
raising social and economic centers.
3- Redevelopment: This approach is represented by the process of removal and demolition, as it
represents the demolition of dilapidated and completely worn areas, then rebuilding them and
organizing their urban, functional, and population structure by establishing long-term policies that
reflect positive land use and support sustainable development. The main goal of redevelopment is to
adapt to changes to meet the changing needs of the population, improve the infrastructure of the areas,
and stimulate the economy by attracting investments and providing new job opportunities for the
population, in addition to environmental sustainability by reusing old buildings instead of new ones,
which reduces the consumption of resources. The challenges facing the urban renewal process in Iraq
are represented by several challenges due in their details to historical, social, economic, and political
factors, making completing the urban renewal process a challenging task that requires careful planning
and innovative solutions. The widespread destruction resulting from the wars and conflicts that most
Iraqi cities have been exposed to is one of the most prominent challenges, which requires a complete
reconstruction of the infrastructure and buildings, in addition to administrative corruption and the
waste of resources allocated to renewal projects, which results in weak attraction of investments
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supporting the renewal process, and the absence of a comprehensive vision in urban plans or failure to
adhere to the available plans, which leads to the random growth of cities and a move away from
upgrading these areas. In addition, the lack of financial resources due to the Iraqi economy's
dependence on oil revenues makes the renewal process vulnerable to fluctuations in oil prices, in
addition to the fact that private investments cannot provide the necessary funding for renewal projects.
Conclusion: It can be said that the urban renewal process in Iraq is a long-term process, requiring joint
efforts from the competent authorities, the government, the international community, and the private
sector, for comprehensive planning and effective implementation to face the significant challenges that
hinder and determine the effectiveness of the success of the urban renewal process. However, it is
possible to achieve. Through concerted efforts and adopting innovative solutions, community
participation, investment in infrastructure, and heritage preservation, tangible progress can be
achieved in this field by completing a comprehensive urban transformation and creating a modern,
sustainable urban environment that preserves its cultural heritage and provides a high-quality living
environment for its residents with benefits for society as a whole.
REFERENCE
1.
Hussein, Abdul Razzaq Abbas, Geography of Cities, Asaad Press, Baghdad 1976, p. 66.
