Iraq Marks Foundation Stone Ceremony for 100 Affordable Housing Units and Green Building Technology Centre in Mosul

The Building Equitable and Inclusive Transformation (BEIT) Project, funded by the European Union, today marked an important milestone with the foundation stone ceremony for the construction of 100 affordable housing units and a Centre for Green Building Technology in Mosul, Ninewa Governorate. 

The ceremony brought together representatives of the Government of Iraq, Ninewa Governorate,  Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works, and Ministry of Migration and Displacement, Mosul Municipality, the United Nations and other stakeholders supporting the implementation of the BEIT Project. 

The BEIT Project aims to support equitable and inclusive transformation through practical housing solutions that contribute to improved living conditions and more sustainable development. 

The Mosul housing development has been designed as a practical and replicable model for affordable housing delivery. It incorporates climate-responsive design, thermally efficient construction materials, improved insulation and rooftop solar energy systems. These measures aim to improve household comfort while reducing long-term energy consumption and operating costs. 

The Centre for Green Building Technology will complement the housing development by supporting the demonstration of environmentally responsible construction methods and strengthening the knowledge and capacity of government institutions, construction workers and local businesses. 

The foundation stone ceremony represents an important step in translating these objectives into a tangible housing development in Mosul and strengthening cooperation among national and local authorities, the United Nations and other stakeholders. 

The ceremony also provided an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of continued coordination and partnership in expanding access to affordable housing and promoting the wider application of green building technologies in Iraq. 

The Governor of Ninewa, Mr. Abdul Qader Al-Dakhil, welcomed the beginning of construction, stating: “This project represents an important investment in the future of Mosul and in the wellbeing of families who need access to adequate and affordable housing. The development also supports the continued recovery and renewal of the city by introducing more sustainable approaches to construction. We appreciate the efforts of all institutions and partners that have contributed to reaching this milestone and look forward to maintaining close coordination throughout implementation.” 

Mr. Wim Riepma, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Iraq highlighted the project’s contribution to sustainable recovery and improved living conditions, stating: “Safe, affordable housing is vital to families’ wellbeing and to Mosul’s continued recovery. Through the BEIT Project, the European Union is supporting Iraq to demonstrate how well-designed, energy-efficient homes can improve living conditions, lower household energy costs and reduce environmental impact. We hope the approaches demonstrated through this development can inform future housing delivery and contribute to more sustainable and inclusive urban development across Iraq.”

The United Nations Resident Coordinator ad interim in Iraq, Mr. Peter Hawkins, highlighted the wider development significance of the project, stating: “The laying of this foundation stone is a tangible step in Mosul’s continued recovery and long-term development. It reflects the Government of Iraq’s leadership and commitment to expanding access to safe and affordable housing. These 100 homes will provide families with greater stability and opportunity, while the Centre for Green Building Technology will promote sustainable and energy-efficient building methods. The United Nations is proud to work alongside national institutions, Ninewa Governorate and local authorities to improve people’s lives and build more inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities.”

The Head of UN-Habitat in Iraq, Mr. Muslim Qazimi, emphasized the potential for the development to inform future housing delivery, stating: “This development is the result of a careful process to produce homes that are affordable to construct, appropriate for Iraq’s climate and capable of being replicated elsewhere. The designs use passive solar principles, improved insulation, thermally efficient materials and rooftop solar systems. The Centre for Green Building Technology will help turn the experience gained here into practical knowledge for Iraq’s wider housing and construction sector.” 

For additional information, please contact: 

Marcus Tudehope 

Programme Manager, UN-Habitat Iraq 

marcus.tudehope@un.org