Analysing the master plan development and urban heritage of Najaf City in Iraq

Abstract

PurposeThis paper is intended to assess the developments conducted on the master plan of Old Najaf, mainly in three areas: the Imam Ali Holy Shrine and its surroundings, the Great Market Area and the location of the Town of Visitors.Design/methodology/approachIn order to analyse the implementation of the transformation phases in Old Najaf, the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) technique was used to identify and organise the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats related to the examined case study of the city's historic centre. At the first stage, all available data (photographs, maps, documents and reports) were collected from different sources, including previous studies by governmental institutions, departments and agencies. Ultimately, the SWOT analysis was used for each identified phase in the morphological evolution of the historic centre. This can offer an opportunity to observe the implications of urban planning practices in Old Najaf from the mid-20th century to the present day. In order to identify the well-organised urban design practices and appropriate strategies, the implemented studies and projects were examined by the four factors of the SWOT analysis.FindingsThe current results have revealed important urban transformations, already made and/or ongoing, of those aforementioned three main areas, which imply a great loss of the city's traditional character and urban heritage. Further, the environmental and socio-economic issues should be involved in the analysis to evaluate how they have influenced the current outcomes of Old Najaf in relation to the urban configuration and orientation.Originality/valueThe rich cultural and architectural heritage of Al-Najaf historic centre is dramatically neglected and seriously threatened to be lost. Hence, conservation on both tangible and intangible levels is urgently needed. It is the first paper which focussed on this problem and tries to learn from the British Conservation Experiences in this field.

Urban Dynamics in Historic Marketplaces: A Network Analysis of Traditional Bazaars in Baghdad, Iraq

“…They illuminate the need for a balanced approach to both preserving these historical areas and ensuring that they remain sustainable and relevant in the modern settings (Major & Tannous 2020;Al Hashimi & Alobaydi 2023). Further expanding on this theme, Farhan et al, Albayaty, and Alsaffar and Alobaydi explore the significance of bazaars in urban growth and tourism, illustrating their role beyond just commerce (Farhan et al 2022;Albayaty R 2023;Alsaffar & Alobaydi 2023) From a wider regional perspective, Moosavi emphasizes the multifaceted roles of bazaars in Iranian urban environments, touching on their economic, social, and cultural impacts (Moosavi 2005). Similarly, Zandieh and Seifpour (2020) advocate for the preservation of these markets as part of the intangible cultural heritage, especially in the face of increasing tourism demands.…”

Conservation of Urban Heritage Landscapes: Lessons from Souq AlSaffarin in Baghdad, Iraq

“…However, ongoing instability and security concerns in Iraq continue to pose significant challenges to the market's future (Helvalı, 2020;Asaad, 2020). In fact, there has been a growing trend in recent years toward preserving and promoting traditional handicrafts in Iraq (Farhan et al, 2022;Al Hashimi and Alobaydi, 2023). This trend has been driven by a recognition of the cultural and historical value of these crafts, as well as a desire to support local artisans and revive traditional industries (Alsaffar and Alobaydi, 2023).…”

“…Previous research has focused on traditional bazaars in historical cities, as well as handicrafts and intangible heritage, and their preservation, development, and transfer to subsequent generations (Alghamdi, 2023;Fatma, 2023). There, many strategies and methods have been proposed for developing traditional bazaars in historic urban cores by focusing on human activities, communication, and professional development, and considering them as tourist destinations to provide a sustainable source of financial income for the development of historical areas (Poulios, 2014;Job, Becken and Lane, 2017;Farhan et al, 2022). The effective integration of land uses has also been proposed, linking historical areas with new transportation lines in cities (Elsayed, 2013;Furlan and Al-Mohannadi, 2020;Juraeva, 2021).…”