Events & Activities

Aleksandra Wojtaszek attended the 5th Annual International Conference on Urban Studies and Planning, held in Athens on April 2-3, 2025.

Abstract: From 1990 to 2003, Iraq was subject to international sanctions that were arguably the longest running, the most comprehensive and devastating of any established in the name of international governance (Gordon, 2010). The sanctions, as well as the bombing campaign of 1991 amidst the Gulf War, brought about the near collapse of Iraq’s infrastructure. Basic living conditions for the population deteriorated, and the sanctions heavily impacted the country’s social, economic, and political realities (Gordon, 2010; Graham-Brown, 1999). However, literature on sanctions mostly addresses political, economic and humanitarian aspects, often overlooking adaptations of urban actors to the prolonged pressures of this policy instrument (Gordon, 2010; Graham-Brown, 1999, Alnasrawi, 2001). The sanctions, as well as the bombing campaign of 1991 amidst the Gulf War, brought about the near collapse of Iraq’s infrastructure. Basic living conditions for the population deteriorated, and the sanctions heavily impacted the country’s social, economic, and political realities. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, from fieldwork in Baghdad, archival research and interviews with a professional community of experts involved in urban planning during the sanctions. The research identifies three primary factors that influenced urban situation of Baghdad during the sanctions: 1) international isolation, which meant termination of foreign contracts and increased role of local experts; 2) the economic crisis, which led to the suspension or delay of most infrastructural projects; and 3) the tightening grip of the authoritarian regime, which centralized urban decisions within the Presidency Office, often neglecting broader urban needs. By shifting the focus to the urban situation and exploring how urban actors responded to the severe disruptions caused by sanctions, the research contributes to a better understanding of how cities and urban actors function under different kinds of shocks.

On 24 April 2025, Dr Dorota Woroniecka-Krzyzanowska and Prof. Ghada Al-Slik led a workshop “Research Design for Graduate Students” at the Department of Architecture, Nahrain University. The workshop focused on the development of practical skills in the field of research design through direct application of theoretical concepts and methodological tools on chosen case studies. The workshop was attended by graduate students and staff of the Department and involved several team exercises. The team thanks Dr Haitham Al-Shamari and Prof. Mohammad Qasim Ghafoor for organization of the workshop and the students for their energy and engagement with the topic.

Aleksandra Wojtaszek, a team member, delivered workshop for undergraduate and graduate students of the Department of Architecture, University of Baghdad. The workshop focused on using RStudio for quantitative data analysis. It included practical training, enabling participants to analyze urban data from Baghdad.

The team conducted the third fieldwork in Baghdad between 27 October and 15 November 2024. The research activities included visits to institutions (the Mayoralty of Baghdad and the Ministry of Planning) and specific sites (e.g. unplanned areas in Baghdad, Bismaya Satellite City), archival research at Hisham Al-Madfai’s private library, team meetings and in-depth interviews with Iraqi architects, urban planners, and employees of public institutions.

The team conducted archival research at the British Library from 15 to 21 August 2024 to collect archival material for planned publications. The main focus was on Baghdad Observer, a daily newspaper published by the Iraqi government between 1967 and 2003.

The Made in Iraq project workshop gathered all team members to discuss the main research themes and scientific articles under preparation, develop further research agenda and plan future steps in regard to research activities, conferences and publications.

Dr Dorota Woroniecka-Krzyzanowska and Prof. Ghada al-Slik conducted a workshop for the graduate students of the Department of Architecture, University of Baghdad. The workshop entitled From research concept to research design focused on methodology and practice of research design.