UN-Habitat and JICA Launch the Erbil Heritage & Housing Planning Initiative to Support Sustainable Urban Development Around the Citadel

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN‑Habitat) Iraq and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in partnership with the General Directorate of Urban Planning of Kurdistan (GDUP), launched the Erbil Heritage & Housing Planning Initiative at the Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism (MOMT) of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The initiative will support the government in advancing the 2050 Erbil Master Plan by identifying practical actions to enhance livability, mobility, and the local economy around Erbil’s historic Citadel. It will explore options for the adaptive reuse of heritage homes, improved public spaces and connectivity, stronger heritage-based local economic activity, and more inclusive and affordable housing approaches across the city. Through integrated, place‑based planning guidance, the initiative aims to provide authorities with clearer, evidence‑based pathways for revitalising these important areas in a sustainable and people‑centred manner.

The launch took place in the presence of senior representatives from JICA, the MOMT, the General Directorate of Urban Planning (GDUP), and UN‑Habitat.

Mr Sasan Awni, Minister of the MOMT, emphasised the government’s commitment to guiding the future of the city’s historic core: “This initiative strengthens housing and urban development in the capital, protects Erbil’s rich heritage, and ensures the city’s expansion follows a clear plan without uncontrolled sprawl. We thank both JICA and UN-Habitat for their support.”

The Erbil Citadel, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited sites, remains the cultural and symbolic heart of the city. The neighbourhoods surrounding the Citadel form a vital link between the historic landmark, the central bazaar, and everyday urban life, yet they face significant challenges such as vacant historic homes, mobility constraints, and pressure on public spaces. The new initiative will support the government in examining how neighbourhoods can be revitalised in ways that honour their heritage while better serving residents, businesses, and visitors.

From the development partner’s perspective, Mr. Hiroshi Suzuki, Chief Representative of JICA Iraq, noted: “JICA is committed to supporting the government with the technical foundations needed for sound urban decision‑making. The combination of local priorities with international experience, will help authorities to explore practical options for improving historic neighbourhoods in ways that benefit residents and strengthen the city as a whole.”

Building on previous collaboration during the preparation of the Erbil 2050 Master Plan, UN‑Habitat and JICA are again working together to support the government by bringing in technical partners and local stakeholders to develop planning concepts that are grounded in evidence and informed by on‑the‑site realities.

Mr. Muslim Qazimi, Head of UN‑Habitat Iraq, highlighted the value of this collaborative approach: “Our role is to help the government translate complex urban challenges into clear, evidence‑based planning options. By working closely with multiple public and private partners to generate practical measures for the regeneration of these historically significant areas , the initiative strengthens the foundations for coherent, realistic, and people‑centred urban development.”

Over the coming year, the initiative will support the government in preparing a place‑based plan for one pilot neighbourhood, exploring opportunities for adaptive reuse of historic homes, improving mobility and visitor access, informing approaches to affordable housing, and generating insights to guide wider planning across Erbil’s historic core.

By bringing together  local authorities, residents, international partners, and public–private actors around a shared vision, the Erbil Heritage & Housing Planning Initiative advances an integrated approach to urban planning and management, one that safeguards heritage in a way that respects the past while improving the city for those who live in it today, bringing Erbil’s long‑term ambitions closer to reality. It also contributes to the United Nations’ broader support to sustainable urban development and inclusive service delivery in Iraq, in line with the priorities of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Ryosuke Teraoka | Team Leader 

(Head of UN-Habitat’s Kurdistan Region of Iraq Office)

email: ryosuke.teraoka@un.org 

Ana Paes | Communication Officer

email: ana.paes@un.org