Urban regeneration through post-war reconstruction: Reclaiming the urban identity of the old city of Mosul

Abstract

This paper attempts to shed light on conserving local architectural heritage through the redevelopment and reconstruction of a city suffering from post-war devastation, while maintaining local identity. The city of Mosul is the 2nd largest city in Iraq, with a population of 1.8 million in the year 2014 before the ISIS occupation of the area. This study intents to recommend urban regeneration strategies, to be taken upon during the redevelopment of the old city of Mosul. A set of strategies that may ensure the preservation of the urban identity of the area, while redeveloping and coping with today’s environmental, socio-economic and political changes. A thorough theoretical analysis was carried out by the researchers to conclude a set of indicators of urban regeneration strategies to ensure memory, identity and development. The recommendations emphasized on the integration of the new designs with the old urban fabric, also harmonizing the physical environment with the original buildings whether withstanding or destructed. They also referred to the importance of buildings with historical and symbolic values and their role in reclaiming the urban identity and promoting the sense of belonging.