“Economy of Historic Preservation” in Erbil, Kurdistan, Report for Strengthening Urban & Regional Planning (SURP), UN-Habitat, 2014

Abstract

Mona Serageldin directed a report series titled “Economy of Historic Preservation” in 2014, in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism (MOMT) and the Iraqi-Kurdistan Erbil Governorate. The project fulfilled a UN-Habitat program “Strengthening Urban and Regional Planning” (SURP), with support from François Vigier and Barbara Summers.

The report examines the interrelationship of cultural heritage preservation and urban development, in light of globalization, urbanization shifts, and technological innovation. The analysis aligned with the SURP program goals, which support the capacity of officials in Erbil, the capital city of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, to stimulate financing for local infrastructure, and promote land value capture and community participatory processes.

Documents include the main report in two sections, an outline, slides for the full presentation, and supporting presentations with photographs. Case studies cover cultural heritage sites in the Medina of Tunis, Tunisia; Icheri Sheher in Baku, Azerbaijan; and in Quito, Ecuador.

See also: “National Urban Strategy for Governorates in Iraq,” Development Strategy for Phase II of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Iraq Ministry of Planning Local Area Development Programme (LADP II), 2014-2018 (Project ID: 2014_11_001)

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Project Year:2014
Project Type:Capacity Building Project
Geographic Regions:Erbil, Southern Kurdistan, Iraq (also Medina of Tunis, Tunisia; Icherisheher, Baku, Azerbaijan; and Quito, Ecuador)
Reports:

Authors:Mona Serageldin; François Vigier; Barbara Summers; David C. Jones
Sponsors:United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UN-Habitat)
Categories:Historic Districts
  
ID:2014_06_002

Related I2UD Projects

“Integrated Area Management Action Plan,” Urban Management Plan for the Ancient Walled City Icheri Sheher, Baku, Azerbaijan, 2006

Abstract

Between 2006 and 2007, I2UD developed a comprehensive urban management plan to safeguard the Walled City of Icheri Sheher in Baku, Azerbaijan, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Icheri Sheher (the Walled City) is the oldest inhabited part of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

The project was accomplished in association with Alstrup & Avnby Architects of Denmark, and supported by The World Bank. The action plan positioned Icheri Sheher in light of the new State Department of the Historic and Architectural Reserve Icheri Sheher (SDHARIS), created in February 2005 by Presidential Order No. 629. The safeguard and development strategy provided:

  • An institutional and operational framework for the new Administration, SDHARIS;
  • Design guidelines and development regulations to preserve the World Heritage site while allowing private sector viability in the Historic Centre of Baku;
  • Strategic interventions to remedy current weaknesses and develop tourism potential;
  • Creation of a citizen participation component to involve stakeholders in the decision making process.

Documents include an executive summary report, Volumes 1-4 of project documentation, and a presentation on Baku’s urban fabric. For more information, see UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention: “Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah’s Palace and Maiden Tower.”

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Project Year:2006
Project Type:Comprehensive Plan
Geographic Regions:Icherisheher, Baku, Azerbaijan
Reports:
Authors:François Vigier; Mona Serageldin; Samir Abdulac; Freddy Avnby; Tue Avnby; John Driscoll; Cahid Gadirli; Kamil Ibrahimov; Andrey Ivanov; Paulius Kulikauskas; Christa Lee-Chuvala; Ilham Polukhov; Rimas Steponaitis; Agshin Yunussov
Sponsors:World Bank
Categories:Historic Districts
  
ID:2006_04_001

Related I2UD Projects