Urban Heritage in Baghdad: Toward a Comprehensive Sustainable Framework

Abstract

Architectural heritage is the most important legacy of civilisation and through it we can readily grasp the history of nations. Architects, urban planners and policymakers are now aware that historic cities require regulatory mechanisms if they are to maintain and enhance the fabric upon which their historicity and economic vitality is based. The historic areas in Baghdad, like those in Iraq, are suffering from declining infrastructure, a deteriorating environment, a lack of modern facilities, high unemployment rates, collapsing social impact and weakness in its urban institutions. Such pressures have brought into focus the extent to which sustainable development policies can contribute to the management of change in historic areas. A central objective of this investigation is to explore how the conservation-led regeneration of historic areas in Baghdad may be carried out in a way that promotes social, economic and environmental sustainability, and the full participation of all stakeholders. To achieve the research objective, the main theme, a hypothetical comprehensive model, and a plan and action plan are proposed. The conclusions reached demonstrate that to achieve the strategy of immediate sustainable conservation-led regeneration, the government should contribute to such conservation projects and support the formation of an institutional framework.