Documentation of Old Urban Areas for Regeneration Ideas in the Future, Khanaqa Neighborhood as Case Study

Abstract

Globally, as the inhabitants of urban areas continueto grow, considerable pressure is placed on resources, necessitating the immediate need for effectiveimprovements to theinfrastructure in the area, particularly in terms of shelter, clean water, andwaste. The builtenvironment is asignificant component of urban life. Controlling urban zonesis thus one ofthe21st century's importantchallengesin urbandevelopment, Erbil city is not far from this challenge. Erbil is one of the old cities in Iraq that consists of many old urban areas which inyears they will lose the ability to maintain their physical structure. Accordingly documenting old neighborhoods of Erbil city could play a staminal role in helping future regeneration works. The study conducts a documentation process that preparesa set of layered maps of the existing situation of the Khanaqahneighborhood that help in regeneration works within the area in the future. Khanaqa neighborhood is one of the oldest bad-conditioned areas in Erbil city. Thisarea did notreceive any maintenance or renovation works besides its obvious problems such asCrowding problems because it’s inside the central business district, traffic problemsbecause of the development of the city, lack of car parking, there is no consideration for pedestrian, the lake of greenery, and the exhausted situation of the neighborhood are main problems. The aim of the study is to describe all the problems that faced the neighborhood to be a ready document for oncoming renovation works. The research demonstrates a descriptive methodology to explain the weak and strongpoints of the area through observationofthe condition of the buildings, streets,and facilities in the neighborhood and comparingthem with the standards. The research finds that the area needs to have a comprehensive renovation process to retain its cultural and historical valuesfrom deteriorationand on the other hand to enrich the quality of commercial activities and social interactions in the area.