Cultural Heritage and the SDGs: Bridging Gaps in Iraq’s Urban Recovery

Iraq's urban recovery efforts, particularly around UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Erbil Citadel and Mosul's Old City, are missing critical connections to global sustainable development goals (SDGs). While physical conservation meets SDG 11.4, it overlooks broader economic, social, and governance objectives tied to SDGs 8, 16, and 17. This study reveals a misalignment between international heritage frameworks and local governance in Iraq, hindering inclusive, community-driven urban regeneration. By comparing safeguarding, economic impact, inclusivity, and governance across the two sites, researchers propose a new framework that integrates heritage initiatives more effectively with SDGs, advocating for a shift from mere preservation to sustainable, locally grounded development.

Mrasheed, C., & Hoskara, S. (2025). Cultural Heritage and the SDGs: Bridging Gaps in Iraq’s Urban Recovery. Proceedings of the 61st ISOCARP World Planning Congress. https://doi.org/10.47472/y69dagga