Journal of the planner and development

This research examines the potential for developing a sustainable tourism model in the Iraqi Marshlands, an area with a unique environmental and cultural significance. By conducting a comparative analysis of international experiences in similar wetland areas, the research identifies a set of key performance indicators that can be adapted to guide and evaluate sustainable tourism development in the Iraqi Marshlands. The research relies on a comprehensive methodology that combines a review of academic literature and international reports, an analysis of similar case studies, and an assessment of the current tourism situation in the region. The results indicate promising opportunities for developing sustainable tourism in the Iraqi Marshlands, focusing on three main axes: biodiversity protection, cultural heritage preservation, and local community empowerment. The research also emphasizes the role of measurable performance indicators in assessing environmental, social, and economic aspects, ensuring a fair distribution of returns and benefits. Therefore, the research emphasizes the need to adopt an integrated approach to sustainable tourism development, including enhancing community participation, developing sustainable infrastructure, and implementing effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. This proposed framework aims to support efforts to develop sustainable tourism that ensures the preservation of the uniqueness of the Iraqi Marshlands and their sustainability for future generations.

This research examines affordable housing policies and their role in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11, focusing on the city of Baghdad as a case study. The research aims to analyze these policies and assess their contribution to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, given the urban and social challenges facing Baghdad, such as rapid population growth, rising housing prices, lack of basic services, and the spread of informal settlements. Iraqi cities in general, and Baghdad in particular, suffer from a severe shortage of housing units and high housing costs compared to the average per capita income, in addition to challenges such as unregulated urban growth (slums), a scarcity of suitable housing for low-income groups, and poor infrastructure. The study aims to analyze affordable housing policies in Iraq and assess their contribution to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11 (make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable), with a focus on the city of Baghdad. Affordable housing policies in Baghdad contribute to achieving SDG 11 by improving the inclusiveness of cities, increasing urban resilience, and promoting environmental and social sustainability.

Improving energy efficiency in residential buildings is one of the main challenges in sustainable architectural design, particularly in hot and arid climates. In this context, nano thermal insulation materials have emerged as advanced technological solutions for enhancing thermal performance and minimizing energy loss. This study presents a practical application of Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs) as one of the most effective nano-insulating materials, applied to a residential building model located in a hot climate region. Thermal simulation tools were used to analyze the building’s performance before and after implementing VIPs, based on realistic input parameters including construction materials and local climatic conditions. The results revealed a significant improvement in energy efficiency and a noticeable reduction in cooling loads, demonstrating the effectiveness of VIPs in enhancing the environmental performance of buildings. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of integrating nano-insulation technologies into sustainable design strategies and recommends further applied research to evaluate the performance of nanomaterials under diverse climatic conditions

In light of escalating urban challenges and the growing need for more humane urban environments, the concept of urban happiness is gaining increasing importance as a central goal in sustainable planning policies. This research discusses the role of the urban dimension in enhancing residents' happiness through an applied study of the Al-Amir neighborhood in the holy city of Najaf, Based on a set of planning indicators related to the quality of the urban environment, such as diversity of uses, connectivity, accessibility, human scale, and building quality, advanced spatial analysis tools (GIS) and a field survey comprising 375 questionnaires were used to assess urban performance and link it to the three types of urban happiness (momentary, evaluative, and virtuous). The results revealed strengths in some indicators, such as urban condition and visual scale, while posing clear challenges in the spatial distribution of uses and ease of access to services. The study demonstrated that enhancing urban happiness requires reorienting urban policies toward flexible and equitable planning that places the well-being of residents at the core of spatial decisions. The chapter concludes with a set of recommendations aimed at improving the urban environment of the Prince's District and enhancing urban happiness.

Cultural diversity represents one of the most prominent features of the contemporary city, and customs and traditions are one of its tangible manifestations, leaving a direct impact on shaping the urban landscape. These practices are not limited to being an expression of collective identity; they also become an active element that reshapes spaces, influencing patterns of use, urban composition, and manifestations of symbolic perception. Despite this vital role, customs and traditions often remain outside the scope of systematic urban planning, resulting in unbalanced spaces that sometimes exclude certain cultural components in favor of others and limit the fair spatial expression of collective identity.This research is based on the premise that integrating customs and traditions within a systematic analytical reading enables the detection of their impact on the urban landscape in both its material and moral dimensions. Employing field tools that included a questionnaire and spatial and qualitative analysis in the city of Kirkuk—a model rich in cultural diversity—this impact was measured through precise indicators such as public spaces, land use, symbolic representation, and urban identity. The results showed that customs and traditions produce a multi-layered visual and social character, but at the same time, if not managed consciously, they may contribute to the perpetuation of discrimination or the marginalization of certain groups. Thus, the research emphasizes the importance of adopting an urban perspective that integrates cultural heritage within the mechanisms of space production, transforming diversity into a strategic resource that enhances belonging, symbolic justice, and social integration in the city

The research paper discusses a phenomenon currently facing cities around the world, which is the weak management of green spaces that suffers from the impacts on its infrastructure and deficiencies in its services, as well as the absence of the role of smart resource systems to mitigate climate changes (heatwaves, severe drought, desertification, and pollution). Therefore, the aim of the research is to define the pivotal role of digital twin technology in managing green spaces by presenting a three-dimensional virtual model supported by live data on visitor movement, environmental resources, and the performance of service systems, in order to improve decision-making and enhance the visitor experience towards sustainable tourism. The study hypothesized that extensive exploration of digital twin technologies and their applications in construction and urban development can facilitate the creation of smart, efficient, and environmentally friendly urban spaces. By describing the reality of spaces in the city of Baghdad and analyzing the application of the digital twin in the Baghdad Tourist Island according to the criteria of spaces in smart cities, the research results were reached, the most important of which is the integration of sensing systems and the Internet of Things (IoT) and proposing a new vision for managing tourist areas. This represents a smart step towards digitizing spaces in sustainable smart ways.

The aim of this research is to identify the factors influencing overcrowding and the relative importance of these factors in order to address them and mitigate the effects of this phenomenon on residents. The research assumes that there are a number of social, economic, and urban factors influencing overcrowding. Social factors include: number of households, family size, and number of households. A descriptive analytical approach was used to collect data. Given that overcrowding is a non-material measure, a questionnaire was used for households residing in the Al-Shu'la neighborhood in Baghdad as the study area. The explanatory variables affecting the likelihood of overcrowding were identified. This method is effective due to its ability to measure the impact of each factor. The study found that some variables had no significant impact on overcrowding, such as monthly income. This may be due to the reluctance of most families to disclose their actual income level, and some answers may be misleading. The study also found that plot area did not necessarily indicate a higher number of rooms or a higher building area, which are directly related to overcrowding. The variables with a significant impact and positive (direct) signs were the number of individuals in the dwelling, the number of families in the dwelling, and the increase in the age of the dwelling in years. The significant variables with a negative (inverse) impact on overcrowding were plot area, building area, the number of bedrooms in the dwelling, and the number of beds (beds/room).

The rate of urban expansion in many countries worldwide is increasing significantly, causing numerous risks and unexpected changes to cities and urban systems. Consequently, there has been growing attention to designing, planning, and managing cities to address challenges and enhance the capacity of urban systems to survive, adapt, and grow. Urban resilience and the ability to withstand shocks are key factors in this transformation., the concept of “urban resilience and the ability to withstand shocks” has been widely promoted, the research aims to utilize the indicators of urban resilience concepts in urban development strategies to enhance the resilience of cities. The research is based on building a comprehensive theoretical framework through reviewing and studying literature on urban resilience and the ability to withstand shocks, particularly through the perspectives of the United Nations and related organizations that adopt and support urban resilience. It further analyzes some case studies that incorporated the concept of resilience in urban land use planning and management at various levels in an attempt to innovate processes through which urban resilience can be achieved. The study aims to formulate processes that benefit from the indicators applied to the concept of urban resilience to enhance city resilience by integrating the essential aspects of urban resilience into city planning and management. This integration seeks to address challenges, strengthen urban systems’ resilience, and increase their ability to survive, adapt, and grow, regardless of the nature of chronic pressures and severe shocks they may encounter.

The study, "Spatial Development Strategy and its Role in Promoting Growth in Poor Regions," examines the case of Al-Mahawil District in Babil Governorate, focusing on natural and human potential, economic indicators, tourism services, and road networks as essential pillars for achieving sustainable spatial development.
The natural potential includes the district's distinguished geographical location connecting it to the central and southern governorates, its flat terrain, fertile soil, and the availability of surface water resources in the form of rivers and streams, as well as groundwater of varying salinity. Human potential includes a population of approximately 251,686 in 2023, with variations in population density across administrative units, the dominance of the private sector in the labor market, and diverse settlement patterns between urban and rural areas.
In terms of economic indicators, the district is characterized by significant economic activity among productive age groups, relatively low unemployment rates compared to the national average, and a poverty rate lower than the Iraqi average. This reflects the region's ability to achieve greater economic growth when its resources are invested efficiently. The district boasts significant tourism assets, including 178 archaeological sites and a number of religious shrines, in addition to recreational facilities such as rivers, orchards, and parks. These opportunities provide opportunities for the development of archaeological, religious, and recreational tourism.
The district also boasts a network of primary, secondary, and rural roads connecting it internally and externally, in addition to a strategic railway line, which enhances transportation efficiency and supports economic and tourism activities.

This study aims to measure the developmental disparities between the districts of Baghdad Governorate and to analyze the impact of balanced spatial development in reducing these gaps. The research relied on a set of service, economic, and social indicators, focusing on analyzing the patterns of resource, service, and infrastructure distribution to identify spatial differences and determine the extent of developmental disparities among the districts according to planning standards for measuring inequality. The study also employed spatial analysis tools according to planning criteria, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and cluster analysis to accurately determine the locations of spatial disparities, as well as employing the Gini coefficient and Lorenz curve to measure the equity of service and resource distribution among districts.The results showed a clear concentration of development in some districts, particularly the central ones (Baghdad city), compared to a relative decline in peripheral districts, reinforcing spatial imbalance and deepening social, economic, urban, and environmental disparities. The results specifically reveal disparities in basic services such as potable water, sanitation, waste collection, and electricity, with a clear difference between central and peripheral districts. The study concluded the necessity of adopting fair development policies that ensure equitable resource distribution and encourage investment in marginalized or less developed districts to reduce the disparity gap and achieve balanced spatial development in Baghdad Governorate. Furthermore, the study provides a scientific basis to support future research in spatial planning and the formulation of more equitable development strategies.

The world is now witnessing a rapid race to adopt the smart city concept to improve the quality of life and enhance the efficiency of urban service management. However, many cities still face challenges due to deficiencies in their digital infrastructure and the lack of effective platforms and applications, which poses a fundamental problem that hinders the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This research is based on the premise that adopting smart platforms and applications is not merely a technical dimension but represents an essential approach to improving resource and service management, increasing transparency, and accelerating progress. The research aims to highlight the vital role of these platforms and applications by examining the experiences of three leading cities: Barcelona, Singapore, and Dubai. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach, leveraging a literature review and global models, and applied ISO 37122 standards to evaluate smart city indicators. An analytical comparison was conducted between the results of the three cities. The findings revealed that these cities prioritized the development of open data platforms and applications in transportation, energy, health, and education, which positively impacted service quality and citizen satisfaction. The research concluded that smart platforms and applications are a cornerstone of smart city success, and achieving a positive impact requires long-term strategic planning. The study recommends increasing investment in digital infrastructure, adopting international evaluation standards, utilizing open-source platforms, and encouraging community participation to ensure the sustainability of smart city projects.

This research aims to spatially analyze urban poverty in the city of Al-Hilla using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as an effective tool for understanding social and economic disparities at the neighborhood level. A spatial database covering ten urban districts was developed, based on composite indicators such as average income, illiteracy rate, unemployment, residential overcrowding, and access to basic services. Spatial analyses were conducted using ArcGIS tools including Buffer Analysis, Hot Spot, and Kernel Density, in addition to measuring distances to the nearest health services. The results revealed clear spatial variation in poverty distribution, with high poverty levels concentrated in peripheral neighborhoods such as Al-Nile and Al-Mahdiya, while central districts like Al-Jam'iya and Al-Muhandiseen showed lower poverty levels. The study concludes that GIS contributes significantly to more targeted development policies and supports the achievement of spatial justice. The research recommends integrating spatial analysis into local planning and establishing up-to-date urban databases for monitoring and geographically targeting poverty.

This research focuses on studying the role of the urban context in promoting and revitalizing heritage tourism, through analyzing its morphological elements and explaining how these components affect the attractiveness of heritage sites and the tourist experience. The research problem can be defined as the lack of clarity regarding the components of the urban context in heritage tourism, and the research hypothesis is based on revitalizing the components of the urban context in heritage tourism, which directly contributes to increasing its attractiveness. The research relied on a descriptive approach and analytical approach supported by a comparison of selected case studies from the cities of Fez (Morocco) and George Town (Malaysia). It also drew on a review of previous basic literature on heritage tourism and the urban context. The study concluded that the urban context is a crucial and essential element in shaping the tourist experience and enhancing the cultural identity of the place, and that the success of heritage tourism is limited by the effectiveness of the management and organization of the urban fabric, traditional local functions, and popular cultural events within an organized and sustainable framework.

Amiriyat Al-Sumoud city in Anbar Governorate represents experienced unbalanced urban growth, leaving clear impacts in the form of accelerated land-use transformations within a defined master plan boundary. The research problem is embodied in the emergence of uncontrolled urban growth occurring within the limits of the master plan itself. The study assumes that deficiencies in the implementation of the master plan and its insufficient activation constitute the main factors behind this imbalance. The study aims to adopt a spatio-temporal approach that reveals where the city complied with the plan’s directives and where it deviated from them. To achieve this, the study relies on a descriptive methodology through reviewing and analyzing the literature related to the conceptual structure of the master plan and deconstructing its relationship with urban growth, in addition to a comparative analytical method between two time periods using satellite imagery. The results are compared with the most recent master plan to determine the extent to which actual urban growth conforms to the master plan. The study concludes that there are implementation gaps within the planned area that are reflected in land-use changes not limited to the text of the plan itself, but rather associated with weak activation and application mechanisms. This situation has allowed uncontrolled growth to occur within the master plan boundary. Accordingly, the study recommends reorganizing spatial monitoring tools, updating phased implementation programs, and aligning urban development standards with the dynamics of actual demand, in order to guide urban growth toward a more balanced and sustainable trajectory.

This research aims to examine the role of archaeological site governance in enhancing sustainable tourism development, taking the city of Samarra as an applied case study. Samarra was selected due to its high historical and archaeological significance, which is counterbalanced by administrative and organizational challenges that affect the sustainability of its tourism sector. The study adopts a descriptive–analytical approach through a questionnaire administered to two samples: residents of Samarra and experts specialized in planning, archaeology, and tourism, with the objective of evaluating the status of indicators related to governance and sustainable tourism development. The study encompasses a set of key indicators, including economic indicators, cultural and civilizational identity indicators, environmental indicators, administrative and governance indicators, in addition to community participation indicators. The results of the residents’ sample revealed a relatively positive tendency toward economic indicators and a neutral tendency toward cultural identity and environmental indicators, while governance and community participation indicators recorded negative trends. In contrast, the experts’ sample showed an overall negative tendency across all indicators, reflecting a clear gap between community perception and specialized professional assessment. The study concludes that the weak implementation of governance principles represents the main factor hindering the achievement of sustainable tourism development in the archaeological sites of Samarra, despite the availability of significant cultural and tourism potentials. The study recommends strengthening the governance framework, activating community participation, and adopting an integrated strategic vision that contributes to employing archaeological sites as effective drivers of sustainable tourism development.

The relationship between city\'s spatial structure and its social and mobility functions is a complex issue in contemporary urban planning, particularly given the lack of an integrated understanding that explains the dynamic interaction between movement flows and land-use patterns within a clear topological framework. This research aims to analyze the topology of movement flows and explore their interactive relationship with land-use patterns, based on the hypothesis that there is a significant positive correlation between the degree of centrality of the topological movement network and the density and diversity of commercial and service uses in high-access urban areas. The research adopted a descriptive-analytical approach, beginning with the development of a theoretical framework for urban topology and the city as a flow system. Topological analysis tools, such as integration, connectivity, and spatial depth indices, were used to measure accessibility efficiency and analyze the attractiveness of urban sites for different land uses. The research findings revealed that the spatial configuration of the urban fabric acts as a natural driver of movement flows, with high-density uses tending to concentrate along the most topologically integrated axes. It also demonstrated that contemporary urban interventions, such as bridges and traffic diversions, contribute to reshaping the economic and social landscapes of surrounding areas. The research concludes by presenting a locally adaptable analytical knowledge framework, along with a set of practical recommendations, to support decision-makers and planners in employing the topological approach to improve the efficiency of the urban fabric and enhance the sustainability of urban environments.

Sustainable residential complex planning has become an important approach for achieve sustainable urban development in contemporary cities. However, despite the growing global interest in this field, local studies in Iraq still focus mainly on design or environmental aspects without providing an integrative framework that links planning and management within a clear institutional and legislative context. In addition, the absence of locally adapted indicators for evaluating the sustainability of residential complexes has limited the ability to assess the actual performance of these projects. Therefore, the research problem lies in the lack of a sustainable planning and management framework based on measurable indicators that can be applied within the local urban context. The research assumes that sustainable planning for residential complexes depends on the relationship between the diversity of planning indicators and the degree of their comprehensiveness and integration. Based on this assumption, the study aims to analyze contemporary residential complex experiences and extract the main planning indicators that contribute to achieving sustainable residential development. The findings indicate that the integration of spatial, environmental, urban, social, and economic indicators plays a significant role in improving the sustainability performance of residential complexes. The study concludes that adopting an integrated framework based on these indicators can support more effective planning strategies for sustainable residential developments.

This paper aims to study the impact of digital transformation on the design of urban transportation networks, applying it to Baghdad Street in the holy city of Najaf. The street represents a vital traffic hub that suffers from frequent congestion and a lack of modern management systems, especially given the population density and influx of visitors during religious occasions. The study was based on the hypothesis that integrating digital technologies such as Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can improve traffic efficiency, reduce travel times, and enhance traffic safety. The traffic situation was analyzed using field data and a detailed traffic survey, and a new cross-section of the street was designed that functionally integrates these technologies. The results showed a significant improvement in street performance, with travel time reduced by 32%, the accident rate decreased, and user satisfaction with the transportation environment increased. The research recommended the gradual implementation of the proposed design, linking it to a digital traffic control center, and launching the \"Najaf Navigate\" app to serve citizens and visitors. The study also recommended the possibility of expanding the experience to other urban streets.

Agritourism is a fundamental pillar within the development pathways of global tourism. Hence, its importance has become evident, and it is considered a strategy for rural development on economic, social, cultural, and environmental levels. The research problem lies in highlighting indicators from global experiences and how these experiences of agritourism have contributed to the development of rural areas. The study aimed to reveal the approaches taken by these countries in this field and to derive practical indicators for rural development based on scientific literature. The methodology adopted by the study was descriptive-analytical. This study addressed the concepts of agritourism and rural development, and demonstrated the importance of agritourism and the activities practiced within agritourism farms. It also examined global experiences in agritourism. The results showed that the study arrived at some scientific indicators for the development of rural areas. The study demonstrated the role of agritourism in the economic development of rural areas as an important source of income for rural families. The study emphasized the participation of local communities in the planning and implementation process and pointed to the role of agritourism in preserving cultural identity and empowering women. The study recommended developing strategies to develop agricultural tourism, paying attention to cultural identity, reviving rural heritage, developing infrastructure to provide tourist attractions, and focusing on media promotion to make it a commercial destination and tourist destination.

This research examines the relationship between social fabric and urban planning and their impact on urban security in Baghdad after 2003. It addresses the weak integration of the social dimension in urban planning despite the focus on physical aspects, affecting social interaction and the sense of safety. The research assumes that stronger social fabric is associated with more efficient urban planning and that improved spatial characteristics enhances social cohesion and reduces security vulnerability. It aims to analyze this relationship through social, spatial, and security indicators. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach using a case study of Baghdad. Data was collected through an electronic questionnaire administered to a random sample of 68 respondents and analyzed using SPSS, in addition to spatial analysis of urban maps. The results showed moderate social fabric indicators, while fear-related areas were associated with low activity and poor lighting. The study concluded that higher levels of social interaction and trust are linked to improved urban security, confirming the joint role of urban planning and social fabric in enhancing urban security. It recommends prioritizing areas with low perceived nighttime safety (2.96) through improved lighting, activation of public spaces, and more equitable service distribution.

This research analyzes housing costs in organized housing projects as a multidimensional system that extends beyond the direct financial aspect to include spatial, service, and construction dimensions that collectively influence individuals' housing decisions. The research adopts a theoretical framework based on urban literature, urban housing market theories, spatial structure, and spatial rent theory to derive four key housing cost indicators: housing type, housing quality, connection to service networks, and housing density. This research applied this framework to a comparative study between the Al-Mukhtar and Al-Sultan housing complexes in Najaf Governorate, through spatial analysis, field surveys, and questionnaires administered to residents and experts. The results showed a clear difference in the actual cost of housing between the two complexes, primarily due to differences in urban location, construction quality, variety of housing options, energy performance levels, and varying levels of density and occupancy. The study revealed that the high cost of housing in some projects is not solely related to the initial unit price, but is also directly affected by long-term operating costs, construction quality, and the efficiency of service connections. The findings also emphasized the importance of adopting comprehensive planning indicators when evaluating housing projects, which contributes to improving individual housing decisions and enhancing the efficiency of future urban planning.

Contemporary cities face rapid morphological transformations driven by transportation infrastructure expansion, particularly bridges and tunnels aimed at improving traffic efficiency. These interventions often fragment urban open spaces, especially squares serving as central nodes in the urban movement network. Al-Nisour Square in Baghdad exemplifies this, having been transformed from a horizontally integrated urban space into a multi-level traffic system, weakening its role in supporting movement and social interaction.The study hypothesizes that infrastructure-driven morphological restructuring disrupts spatial configuration, leading to declining integration, reduced intelligibility, and a shift in movement centrality from ground level to elevated infrastructure. The research aims to analyze these transformations and measure changes in movement centrality within the urban network.A quantitative approach based on Space Syntax was adopted. The pre-transformation axial model was reconstructed using Google Earth imagery and redrawn in AutoCAD, while the current model was developed by separating ground level, bridge, and tunnel layers. Connectivity, Integration, Choice, and Intelligibility indicators were applied.Results reveal a clear shift in movement centrality toward bridges and tunnels, accompanied by declining ground-level integration. The study recommends balancing traffic efficiency with spatial structure preservation, reactivating the ground level, and enhancing its integration within the broader urban network.