<br />Iraq’s Progress Toward Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)<br />Dr. Malik Mustafa Mohammed<br />SDG 3 Good health and well-being<br />SDG 4 Quality Education<br />SDG 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure<br />SDG 11 Sustainable cities and economies<br /><br />1. Introduction <br />Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) aims to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.” Iraq, with its rapidly urbanizing population and legacy of conflict, faces significant challenges in achieving this goal. Decades of war, economic instability, and environmental degradation have strained urban infrastructure, displaced communities, and threatened cultural heritage. This report evaluates Iraq’s progress toward SDG 11, highlighting key challenges, initiatives, and pathways for sustainable urban development. <br />2. Urban Challenges in Iraq <br />- Population Growth and Displacement: <br /> - 70% of Iraq’s 40 million population lives in urban areas, with Baghdad housing 8 million residents. <br /> - Over 1.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) reside in informal settlements due to post-2014 conflict. <br />- Infrastructure Deficits: <br /> - 40% of Baghdad’s population lacks access to reliable electricity; 30% lack clean water. <br /> - Decayed public transport systems contribute to traffic congestion and pollution. <br />- Environmental Degradation: <br /> - Air pollution from oil refineries and dust storms causes 20,000+ annual deaths. <br /> - Unregulated urban sprawl has encroached on agricultural land and green spaces. <br />- Cultural Heritage at Risk: <br /> - Sites like Babylon and Mosul’s Al-Nouri Mosque remain damaged after ISIS occupation. <br />3. Iraq’s Commitments to SDG 11 <br />- National Policies: <br /> - Iraq’s 2023 National Development Plan prioritizes urban reconstruction and slum upgrading. <br /> - Commitment to the New Urban Agenda (NUA) to guide sustainable urbanization. <br />- Key Targets: <br /> - Ensure safe housing for all by 2030. <br /> - Reduce urban air pollution by 30% through renewable energy adoption. <br /> - Protect 100% of cultural heritage sites from further degradation. <br />4. Progress and Initiatives <br />- Reconstruction Efforts: <br /> - Mosul RevivaUNDP’s “Mosul Reconstruction Program” has restored 80% of roads and 50 schools since 2017. <br /> - Baghdad Metro: A $1.5 billion project (funded by China) aims to build 200 km of metro lines by 2030. <br />- Housing and Slum Upgrading: <br /> - “Iraq National Housing Program” targets 1 million affordable housing units by 2030. <br /> - Slum rehabilitation in Basra’s Hayaniya district improved sanitation for 50,000 residents. <br />- Cultural Heritage Preservation: <br /> - UNESCO-led restoration of Babylon’s Ishtar Gate and Mosul’s Al-Nouri Mosque (80% complete). <br />- Green Urbanism: <br /> - Baghdad’s “Green Belt” initiative aims to plant 1 million trees to combat heat islands. <br /> - Basra’s 2023 ban on single-use plastics reduced waste by 15%. <br />5. Challenges to SDG 11 Implementation <br />1. Funding Shortfalls: Reconstruction needs exceed $88 billion; only 30% is secured. <br />2. Weak Governance: Corruption and bureaucratic delays hinder project execution. <br />3. Security Risks: Residual violence in areas like Kirkuk disrupts urban planning. <br />4. Climate Impacts: Rising temperatures and water scarcity worsen living conditions. <br />6. Case Studies <br />- Erbil’s Smart City Pilot: IoT-enabled traffic lights and solar streetlights reduced congestion by 20%. <br />- Sadr City Redevelopment: Upgraded drainage systems mitigated annual flooding impacts. <br />-Najaf’s Eco-Parks: Green spaces created from reclaimed land host 500,000 annual visitors. <br />7. Recommendations <br />1. Policy Integration: Align urban planning with climate action (SDG 13) and economic goals. <br />2. International Support: Leverage World Bank loans and EU funding for metro and housing projects. <br />3. Community Engagement: Involve local NGOs in slum upgrading and heritage preservation. <br />4. Disaster Resilience: Invest in flood barriers and early warning systems for sandstorms. <br />5. Public Transport Expansion: Prioritize Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems to reduce car dependency. <br />8. Economic and Social Co-Benefits <br />- Job Creation: Urban projects could employ 200,000+ Iraqis in construction and green sectors. <br />- Health Improvements: Reduced pollution could prevent 10,000+ respiratory illnesses annually. <br />- Cultural Revival: Heritage tourism in Mosul and Babylon could generate $500 million yearly by 2030. <br />9. Conclusion <br />Achieving SDG 11 in Iraq requires balancing rapid urbanization with sustainability and inclusivity. While progress in Mosul’s reconstruction and Baghdad’s metro project signals hope, systemic challenges demand urgent action. Strengthening governance, securing funding, and fostering community resilience are critical to building cities that thrive amid climate and conflict risks. <br />References: UNDP Iraq, World Bank Urban Reports, UNESCO Heritage Projects, Iraq National Development Plan (2023).<br />Al-Mustaqbal University The First University in Iraq<br />