Urban Growth Stages and Strategic Solutions for Urban Expansions in Baghdad Governorate

., .; ., .; قطوش, محمد ربيع فرج

doi:10.21608/qarts.2025.417276.2297

Urban Growth Stages and Strategic Solutions for Urban Expansions in Baghdad Governorate

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

قسم الجغرافيا- کلية الآداب- جامعة القاهرة

10.21608/qarts.2025.417276.2297

Abstract

This study examines the stages of urban growth in the Baghdad Governorate by analyzing the spatial and temporal transformations the city has undergone since its inception to the present stage. It focuses on patterns of urban expansion and their relationship to population growth and economic and social changes. Baghdad has witnessed rapid and unbalanced growth, manifested in unplanned horizontal expansion, severe pressure on infrastructure, and the emergence of informal areas, reflecting the absence of a comprehensive vision in urban planning.
By tracing the historical stages of urban expansion, it becomes clear that the city has moved from centralized traditional planning in early eras to policies of circular and radial expansion in the twentieth century, and finally to disorganized and random growth in recent decades, which has created significant challenges in the management of urban resources.
To confront these challenges, the research attempts to present a set of strategic solutions for urban expansions, such as adopting the concept of balanced growth through the establishment of new, planned cities and suburbs that accommodate population growth. It also includes developing transportation networks and regional connectivity to reduce excessive concentration within the urban center. Consequently, the research concludes that long-term strategic planning is the optimal way to control urban growth in Baghdad and transform existing challenges into developmental opportunities that contribute to raising the efficiency of the urban infrastructure and achieving more sustainable urban development.

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