Integrated Heritage and Affordable Housing Framework for Erbil, Iraq, 2050

The event will be jointly organized by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism (MOMT), and UN-Habitat Iraq. It will provide a comprehensive overview of the project titled “The Basic Survey for the Realization and Implementation of Sustainable City Development in Erbil, Iraq,” funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It will highlight the key objectives and strategic direction of the project, as well as the progress achieved since its launch. The presentation will focus on how the project promotes sustainable and inclusive urban development in Erbil focusing on "Revitalization for the Buffer Zone of Erbil Citadel & Urban Heritage Enhancement" and "Affordable Housing Planning" through innovative planning approaches, strengthened institutional frameworks, and multi-stakeholder coordination. Particular attention will be given to the role of Public–Private Partnerships (PPP) as a key delivery mechanism for sustainable urban investments. In addition, the event will showcase the synergies between the project’s two integrated components—heritage conservation and affordable housing development—and how their combined implementation contributes to revitalizing historic areas, improving living conditions, and enhancing socio-economic resilience. The discussion will further reflect on lessons learned to date and opportunities for scaling up sustainable urban solutions in alignment with national priorities and the New Urban Agenda. The Erbil 2050 Master Plan was jointly presented during a previous event at WUF12 in Cairo by JICA, the MOMT, and UN-Habitat Iraq. Building on this foundation, The current project serves as a preparatory phase to translate the master plan into concrete actions and on-the-ground interventions.