Using Geomatics methodology to study gentrification indicators of urban heritage districts case study (Alkurd and Altaees neighbourhood) in Babylon Province - Iraq

Abstract

The current study addresses the gentrification process in the old neighbourhoods of low qualification, a process that could lead to changes in the re composition of the area and re-use of it is appearance. The research hypothesis of gentrification has imposed a feasible process in reconstructing historical areas by emphasizing its advantages in the study; this study will provide a thorough understanding of the process of gentrification through the method of analysis and description and try to understand how it occurs within the locality of the Al-Krad and Al-Taees area in old historical centre of Hilla City as a case study. The localities of the AI-Krad and Al-Taees are within the historical area of the province of Babylon, where this camp has undergone rapid changes in urban areas, urban and social. The research dealt with two aspects, the first one; dealing with the concept of gentrification process, and how could affected on the area. Second one is about historical analysis of the area, to understand the problems caused by merging economic, cultural, services function that lead to changes in physical and urban form with losing urban identity, where historic cities are at a risk of destruction and neglect, where the population is growing and therefore, the need for more capacity for its citizens, and changing their functions, cities lose their identity, with a lack of awareness of the importance of the region, so research aims was the depending on the gentrification concept, the results and effecting of this concept on the physical enhancement to the study area, with improve their economic, social and cultural level by providing investment opportunities for the residents and improving the quality of life and encouraging the poor and middle class to stay and develop them. The importance of the study lies in the representation of new ideas to look at the historical city itself and think about development in a different way, so this methodology was applied by analysing the locality of the Al-Krad and Al-Taees district within the old city centre as a case study. Then we examined the area indicators of gentrification derived from the theoretical framework and to suit the conditions of the region to improve the quality of life in the study area. The area is very vulnerable to the gentrification process, which needs further study to see how this process evolves in the near future, especially with the recent activities and work that the region may face following changes in recent years.