Urban sustainability in Old City Centres, a Comparison Between the City of Najaf in Iraq and Italian Cities Experiences

Urban sustainability in historic city centers can be effectively achieved by integrating global best practices and local experiences, as demonstrated by comparing Najaf, Iraq, with Italian cities like Florence. The study highlights that Najaf's current urban conditions lag behind its cultural significance, despite its rarity and sanctity. By analyzing Italian cities' sustainable development strategies—such as those in Florence, Venice, and Bologna—the research identifies key planning dimensions for functional, structural, spatial, and cultural sustainability. Fieldwork in Najaf revealed critical gaps in infrastructure, demographics, economics, and environmental aspects, leading to a diagnostic framework of strengths and weaknesses. The paper proposes actionable restructuring plans for Najaf, drawing from Italian models to foster harmony between development and heritage preservation.

Lafta Farhan, S., Abbass Jasim, I., & Naji, A. (2016). Urban sustainability in Old City Centres, a Comparison Between the City of Najaf in Iraq and Italian Cities Experiences. Engineering and Technology Journal, 34(12), 2347–2360. https://doi.org/10.30684/etj.34.12a.16