- Utilization Analysis of Baghdad City Urban Waterfront   click here to open paper content1363 kb
by    Alwehab, Abdelwehab | alwehab@yahoo.com   click here to send an email to the auther(s) of this paper
Short Outline
Urban waterfronts are vital components of the urban landscape for cities
with such areas. A survey of land uses along the waterfront of the city of
Baghdad clearly indicates underutilization, which constitutes a social and
economic loss to citizens.
Abstract
Waterfronts in urban rivers are considered one of the most important
natural resources owned by the cities that cut across rivers and
watersheds. The increasing demand for land in urban locations that possess
advantages natural vitas on the riverbank generates pressure and
competition heavily on strips adjacent to the river bank, causing
imbalances in structural land uses beyond what is stated for in urban plans
and Laws which regulate uses within these environmentally critical areas.

The research aims to identify the appropriate uses of the river
waterfronts, as well as identify the principles that should guide
waterfronts development projects. The case study selected is the waterfront
along the river Tigris within the city of Baghdad to conduct a
comprehensive survey of land uses within a strip 100 meters deep on both
sides of the river's edge and into dry land. The analysis was conducted
using geographic information systems to determine existing land uses in
order to devise indicators that reflect the current reality of exploitation
of the river waterfront in the city of Baghdad and identify imbalances that
are not compatible with legal and planning approaches developed to deal
with these sites.

Results of the analysis of field survey showed the presence of imbalances
evident in the nature of land use of waterfront, mainly dominance of
residential land uses and low percentages of both green open space and
recreational areas associated with the river. This clearly constitutes a
loss of available opportunities from potential development. This matter
requires the formulation and formation of a number of legal procedures and
urban design plans to avoid accumulated losses of this important resource,
namely gains missed in recreational areas, environmental, economic and
social development.
Keywords
Case Study presented on the ISOCARP Congress 2013: Frontiers of Planning - Evolving and declining models of city planning practice
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