Urban sustainability in old city centres, a comparison between the city of Najaf in Iraq and Italian cities experiences

Abstract EN

This paper discusses the current situation in old cities of Iraq, which is not commensurate with the high prestige and sanctity of what it contains and what it represents of rarity and typicality.

The aim of the research is to build a base of knowledge about the urban sustainability in development of the historic city centers and in particular city of Najaf, the center of Najaf.

The research also explores the possibilities of benefiting from the Italian cities experiences to reach a state of consistency and harmony between the various planning dimensions, to keep the functional, structural and spatial sustainability and cultural heritage, and to create a sustainable environment for the occupants, visitors and workers.

Theoretical part of the paper includes definitions for methods of dealing with historic cities then displays the treaties and conventions, which are important as they represent the gist of schematic scientific thought on the global level, Iraq is committed to (such as Athens Conference, the Hague Act 1954, Gobineau Conference in 1960, UNESCO 1962, UNESCO in 1962, the Kyoto criteria in 1967, the Paris meeting in 1968, the Rome Conference in 1972, the Rome Declaration in 1983, etc.) Then, second part studying Italian cities experiences of the historic centers, for example (Florence, Venice, Bologna), It is important to have a precise analysis according to the approved urban sustainability criteria.

In the third part, the paper presents the condition of the old city of Najaf through the available information and field work, which included obtaining information on the structural, demographic, economic, administrative, religious, cultural and environmental aspects and the infrastructure in the old city of Najaf to diagnose the strengths and weaknesses.

After comparing with the Italian cities experiences, the paper proposes plans for the restructuring of the old city of Najaf Ashraf and then recommendations.