Role of urban preservation to achieve sustainable urban development – Preserving Erbil Citadel as case study

Abstract

Cities in the world transformed from traditional aspects to sustainable aspects, this transformation need to consider preserving urban heritage as one of the goals of sustainable development agenda 2030. From this view, the research problem appears from the lack of clarity of preserving urban heritage as part of culture and urban sustainability. So, the research aim tries to reach the role of urban preservation to achieve goals of sustainable urban development, and chose Erbil citadel as the first implemented preservation project in Iraq, which adopted 2014 in the world heritage list by UNESCO, which need to integrate preserving urban heritage with sustainable development goals. That will lead to prevent loss of heritage stock, and integrate all goals that contribute to revive the historical buildings in the life of city and society. The research concludes the continuation of this cultural heritage and its effectiveness in completing principles of sustainable development, especially, resettlement of the original inhabitants who removed from it, to be as integrated global model for the traditional human natural and cultural life, and integrated with surrounding urban fabric, instead of their decision to converted citadel as a museum.