Journal of the planner and development

The extraction of water bodies maps using remote sensing and GIS is a crucial aspect of environmental monitoring and management. Remote sensing technology, such as satellite imagery and aerial photography, allows for the collection of data on water bodies from a large spatial scale, while GIS enables the analysis and visualization of this data in a spatial context. This combination of technologies has revolutionized how water bodies are mapped and monitored, providing valuable information for a wide range of applications, including water resource management, environmental impact assessment, and disaster management. By using several techniques, such as unsupervised classification and the water index methods like normalized difference water index and the modified normalized difference water index for the study area for the investigation of the most efficient approach for extracting water body maps, these water bodies have significant impacts on climate dynamics, biodiversity, and human welfare. In this study, we employ two Sentinel-2 satellite pictures to make high-resolution maps of the Darbandikhan Dam lake surface water using remote sensing techniques and GIS with a spatial resolution of 10 meters. for the years 2017 and 2023. After using the methods to extract the area of water bodies and present the results of these methods on field areas, it became clear that the modified normalised difference water index (MNDWI) method is the most accurate in extracting maps for water bodies.

This research studies the impact of Feng Shui principles and place energy on public urban spaces, focusing on analyzing urban spaces in Al-Ghazaliya area in Baghdad city using spatial analysis techniques and DepthmapX 0.8.0 program. The research aims to link the results with the concepts of Feng Shui philosophy to improve the quality of life and enhance social interaction in the urban environment, as the research focuses on understanding the dynamics of the urban network through key indicators such as connectivity, integration, mean depth, and choice, in addition to analyzing the energy impact of these indicators according to the concepts of energy balance in Feng Shui. The research problem is that urban spaces in modern cities, including Al-Ghazaliya area in Baghdad, suffer from weak social interaction and low quality of life due to the design of public spaces that impede the flow of energy "Chi". Accordingly, the research hypothesis was formulated that it is possible to improve the quality of public spaces and increase social interaction in Al-Ghazaliya area in Baghdad by applying spatial analysis techniques and Feng Shui philosophy. Achieving energy balance in urban network design contributes to enhancing the flow of "Chi" energy. Therefore, the research aims at two main aspects: the first is to apply the Feng Shui philosophy to understand the impact of "Chi" energy balance on the quality of life in public spaces, and the second is to analyze urban spaces in Al-Ghazaliya area using space analysis techniques (Space Syntax) to evaluate the efficiency of the urban network. The results showed noticeable differences in the efficiency of the urban network, as some areas enjoy positive energy flow that enhances social interaction, while other areas suffer from energy stagnation due to weak communication and integration and high average depth. The results also emphasized the importance of improving the connection of peripheral areas to vital centers to reduce energy isolation and enhance the balance between different spaces. One of the most prominent conclusions is that integrating space analysis with Feng Shui philosophy is an effective approach to analyzing and improving the design of urban spaces, which contributes to raising the quality of life and enhancing urban sustainability. The most important recommendation reached by the research is the need to improve the design of the urban network by enhancing integration and communication between different spaces, while introducing natural and aesthetic elements such as plants and water bodies to support the flow of "Chi" energy and achieve energy balance.

The research primarily targeted Iraqi experiences in rural development to improve rural stability, as rural stability is a pivotal element in the progress of societies. Rural development plays an important role in achieving this stability by raising the standard of living, providing job opportunities, developing basic facilities, and supporting community participation. The research addressed the most prominent impacts of the Iraqi experience in the scope of rural development and rural stability. The research aims to identify the most prominent characteristics of the Iraqi experience and employ them within the framework of rural stability, study and analyze the developments that occurred in rural stability in Iraq during the period (1951-2024), and identify the factors influencing the development of rural stability. The research was based on the hypothesis that the Iraqi experience in achieving rural stability throughout the period (1951-2024) led to fundamental impacts on rural development patterns and the achievement of positive transformation of rural settlements. One of the most important conclusions achieved is the role of development projects and their contribution to rural development of rural settlements and providing them with public social services (health and education) and technical and economic services to serve the agricultural reality, while applying modern methods of water rationing (such as fixed and pivot sprinklers) that support the rural economy. One of the most important recommendations was the need to integrate irrigation projects, housing, and basic services into integrated plans to ensure rural stability and reduce migration.

The research addressed the importance of groundwater in the development and stability of human settlements in semi-arid zones. Ain al-Tamr district in Karbala governorate was chosen as a model for this, as the excessive exploitation of groundwater without sustainable alternatives directly threatens the stability of Ain al-Tamr district, as this source has a significant impact on the stability of the district, in addition to the need for optimal exploitation of groundwater in establishing projects in agricultural, industrial, tourism and domestic activities.
The study also recommended the use of new irrigation methods such as pipe irrigation, sprinkler irrigation and drip irrigation, and the use of appropriate groundwater management practices in the district and their sustainability to meet the challenges of water scarcity and the sustainability of this vital resource over time. Groundwater must be managed sustainably, because unsustainable reliance on it will directly threaten the social and economic stability of the region.
The study also addressed the concept of sustainable development and its goals, in addition to analyzing the most important natural and human factors affecting the establishment and development of human settlements. The study addressed the most important water sources in the district, namely groundwater as the only water source in the district, and ways to exploit it. It also emphasized the importance of raising community awareness to preserve this vital resource, which is the existential reason for the settlements, and improving the use of this water would enhance the stability of the Ain al-Tamr settlements.

High-rise residential towers are of interest to investors in modern trends of architectural projects, as they are characterized by their ability to provide residential spaces in cities, especially those characterized by high population densities compared to the area, as high-rise towers combine modern architectural investment trends and planning challenges facing the city.

In light of the planning challenges, high-rise residential towers face several challenges as a result of the high population densities in them, the most prominent of which are environmental challenges, as the towers affect the environment and the infrastructure, especially transportation, as interest in developing the infrastructure, especially transportation, is an important and simultaneous axis with planning for residential towers, as it is necessary to provide a transportation network that provides ease of movement and reduces the pressure of residents on the infrastructure in a manner that is consistent with their daily movement to reach workplaces and events. On the other hand, high-rise residential towers require in their planning to find a balanced rhythm between the urban structure and the identity of the place. High-rise residential towers provide investment opportunities if they are carried out according to a well-thought-out urban plan, taking into account the planning challenges associated with the infrastructure and the environment in a manner that ensures the quality of life for residents.

In this research, the spotlight was shed on the most prominent international experiences as inspiring models, combining architectural innovation and urban planning for the purpose of achieving the goals of residential towers to benefit from the exploitation of the least area in light of taking into account planning challenges

Housing deprivation is an important issue that directly affects human well-being and quality of life. Access to adequate housing is a basic necessity, as recognized by many international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Despite this, many families still struggle with inadequate housing conditions, which contributes to widening social and economic disparities.
Research Problem: The study addresses the unclear understanding of the causes and factors of housing deprivation.
Research Objective: This research aims to assess the levels of housing deprivation and identify the main social, economic, and urban factors that contribute to this issue.
To achieve this goal, the study focuses on two neighborhoods in Baghdad: Al-Shu ’la (Neighborhood 454) and Al-Allam (Neighborhood 837).
The research is based on the hypothesis that different social, economic, and urban factors influence housing deprivation. These factors can be categorized into severe deprivation (such as the inability to own a home) and moderate deprivation (related to housing conditions and access to basic services).
A structured methodology was applied, including a survey-based approach with a questionnaire designed to assess objective and subjective indicators of housing deprivation. Data were analyzed using a Likert scale and Mann-Whitney test to compare levels of deprivation between the two neighborhoods.
Key findings:
-Severe deprivation: The study found that 54% of households in Al Shu ‘la and 44.8% in Al Allam lacked home ownership.
-Housing affordability: In Al Allam, rent constitutes 32% of average monthly income, while in Al Shu ‘la, it constitutes 27%.
-Housing price-to-income ratio: Housing costs in Al Allam City are 16.5 times the annual income, while in Al Shu ‘la it is 9.1 times.
-Moderate deprivation: In Al Allam: Key challenges include housing maintenance, healthcare, education, recreational services, and access to public transportation.
In Al Shu ‘la: The most pressing issues are construction conditions, privacy, overcrowding, waste management, and security concerns.
The research reached a set of conclusions and recommendations related to the research objective.

The research aims to give decentralised planning a more influential role for economic life and social development by enhancing the participation of the local community in the development process and achieving the exploitation of the local population in making development decisions and identifying priorities and needs according to the development gap.
The Social Fund for Development is one of the decentralisation methods adopted by the Ministry of Planning through which development projects are prioritised according to the spatial gap with the participation of the local community. The aim is to promote rural settlements and improve the quality of life for the population by reducing the development gap and achieving a spatial balance of development to enhance the stability of rural communities.
The research found that spatial decentralisation is critical for prioritising development projects according to the spatial gap of development and enhancing the confidence of local communities, especially in the remote rural settlements of Babylon Governorate. The SFD experience succeeded in prioritising development projects for areas that suffer from a spatial gap but did not meet the requirements of the development process due to low allocations.

The study recommended that this experience should be reflected in various development projects that directly affect the population and meet their service needs and life aspirations by using technology to prioritise projects and elect members of community committees.

The relationship between humans and nature has been deeply rooted since ancient times, embodying the concept of Biophilia—the innate affinity towards nature. The presence of restorative landscape features and restorative experiences of natural elements offers opportunities for relaxation and recovery from stress.
This paper aims to explore the concepts and approaches that enhance the restorative urban landscape and the experience of psychological restoration. It draws on theoretical foundations from the literature to frame the research problem, aligning with attention restoration theory (ART) scales.
The study hypothesizes that restorative landscape elements within the built environment can support the experience of psychological restoration. The theoretical framework of restoration is examined based on the Attention Restoration Theory (ART) scales by assessing the experiences of University of Baghdad occupants—including a sample of faculty members and students—through a questionnaire designed to capture user perceptions. The study employs a five-point Likert scale and statistical analysis using SPSS software.
The findings indicate the potential of the University of Baghdad’s environment to facilitate psychological restoration, as most respondents reported a strong sense of restoration and mental recovery. Among the restorative landscape preferences, tree-lined pathways at the university's main entrance received the highest rating.