Baghdad gets a makeover: Iraqi capital undergoes major renovation • FRANCE 24 English

[Music] Through this haze of vehicle fumes and dust, the new face of the Iraqi capital has started to emerge. Throughout the legislative campaign, these cranes have been seen as a symbol of the coalition of outgoing Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sadani, pictured here wearing a hard hat. His term in office has been marked by major urban projects aimed at changing Baghdad’s image, starting with the renovation of Al-Rashid at the historic shopping street at the heart of the Iraqi capital. The decorations and engravings here will all be returned to their original locations and the missing engravings will be restored in their original style. We are trying to transform these neglected storage buildings into buildings that are more useful for users, owners, and also for visitors to the streets. Most of this 20th century architectural heritage has been damaged through decades of neglect, the ravages of weather, and successive armed conflict. The main sponsor of the project is the Iraqi Central Bank, which has donated 90 billion Iraqi dinar, more than 60 million euros towards the renovations. We have buildings from the 1930s,4s and60s. These are historic and traditional heritage buildings of various architectural types and styles. [Music] One section of the street is already almost complete. After becoming pedestrianized, it will soon have Iraq’s first tramway. But the aim is for it to remain a center for tourism. This project is for the community, for Iraq, so that we have a real city center in Baghdad. It’s something that every country should have. We hope that new hotels and activities will spring up that attract people and make them want to stay. This is our history. This new addition to Al- Rashid has already started attracting visitors. I’m so happy. I remember when I was a child, I used to come here with my family. The street was so elegant, so well organized. I think it gives us back our dignity. New residential complexes have also been springing up 5 km west of the Iraqi capital. According to the Ministry of Housing, more than 3 million new homes are needed in Baghdad. The constant influx of people from rural areas combined with strong population growth has caused the severe shortage. The need for housing and the scarcity of serviced urban land have led to the creation of such projects. But they have many disadvantages for these residential neighborhoods because infrastructure like water, electricity, sanitation, and other services are affected. They also pose social problems due to the lack of integration between residents in the block of flats and those in houses. There is a social divide between these groups. The price per square meter of these future flats is due to be around €1,700. The average income in Iraq is just above €400 a month. The average citizen cannot afford housing here. There are more than a thousand slums in Baghdad alone. Could someone now living in a slum live here? Impossible. Investment has been slow to arrive in some poorer neighborhoods. Sha lies close to Al-Rashid Street and is home to the country’s historic wholesale market. It’s the economic heart of Baghdad, but has no access to public electricity. Look at the cables there. If there’s a generator on this side, we can pull a cable over here. Another generator on this side, we pull a cable over there. And that’s how this mess happened. How can fires not break out? The cables touch each other, overheat, and the slightest spark starts a fire. Last year, a huge fire destroyed 12 warehouses above the shops. Several have broken out since. The risk remains ever present. A new system is being installed in this alley. It’s the third time it’s burned down. The fire brigade say that an automatic fire protection system must be installed. The cost is borne by the shopkeepers. It’s divided among shops according to their size. The smallest shop will pay 350,000 dinars. As the luxury towers and boutiques start to open their doors, 30% of the Iraqi population continues to live below the poverty line.

Since Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s government came to power three years ago following a serious political crisis, Iraq has been experiencing one of the calmest and most stable periods of the last two decades. The capital Baghdad is currently undergoing major renovation work. FRANCE 24’s Marie-Charlotte Roupie reports, with Josh Vardey.
#Iraq #Baghdad #renovation

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47 comments

  3. I grew up watching “Dessert Storm” on the TV. I recently met an Iraqi family living in Country NSW Australia. Speaking to them I found the nicest and most proudest people for their country. I wish them the best and hope Iraq can grow so that one day I can visit.

  4. as iraqi , thanks for the report , to correct the last info you provided , 17.5% live under poverty line according to 2025 Population census

  13. Amazing development!! They are smart to revitalize the main street with a tramway and make it pedestrianized. Like that lady said, this will give Bagdad residents a much needed city center where all residents could feel attached to. Every city need such places.

  16. There's something do satisfying about seeing this construction. I have high hopes for Iraq. I wonder if in 20 years it will be an example of great urbanization. What especially gives me hope is seeing the thought processes we saw here from the people deciding things, such as acknowledging what needs to be done better (the new high rises being financially unobtainable for those currently living in slums) and the man pointing out how dangerous those wires are. Like they're here acknowledging and fixing these issues rather than digging their feet into the sand and saying "this is just how we do things, we're not changing anything"

  22. Glad to see that Baghdad is now recovering, hope the whole Iraq as well! Wishing for the best to Iraqi people from Philippines 🇵🇭

  24. I am so happy so see Iraq rising again from ashes. It has always been a cradle of civilization. Greetings from Pakistan 💚

  30. Talks about history, but covers her head and they don't drink alcohol. Not the history of the area. Glad they are finally looking at urban planning and returning Iraq to the developed state is once was.

  39. House by house, street by street restoration can happen. As long as folks have basic needs that are affordable what more does one need.

  41. Maturity is when we realize Baghdad was one of the richest, oldest, most developed and most civilized cities on the planet destroyed by the WEST for it's oil! Several Indian tteachers and nurses were working there and they were looked after like royalty!
    We have to get off our high horse thinking west is progressive! West is EVIL

  42. years of being Destroyed and plundered by the west, I hope Iraq and Iraqis will recover soon and wish them all the best and happiness. They deserve peace.

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