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Public Spaces for Recovery and Inclusivity: Mosul’s Al Yarmouk Park 

Mosul, Iraq

2019 - 2021

Disabled PeoplePublic SpacesWar-torn Cities

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Project Description

Approach Words: Inclusive City, Sustainability, Urban Livability

Public Policy Instruments: Communicative, Physical Intervention, Planning

Al Yarmouk Park is located in the heart of Mosul, Iraq spanning an area of 0.067square Kilometers¹. The rehabilitation of Al Yarmouk Park as a multi-purpose public space² was part of the area-based integrated project under the UNDP program supporting recovery and stability in Iraq through local development³. The goal of the project was to restore essential services in the public space that was disrupted by war and conflict⁴. The park was designed to be ‘Accessible for All’ ensuring that it is suitable for the use of all age groups, as well as for the comfort and safety of people with disabilities. It is also part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda for the year 2030 for “leaving no one behind”⁵. The design of the park encourages the concept of “building back better” in adopting clean technologies, recycling, and the use of local materials.

Title: Part of Al-Yarmouk Youth Athletics for Peace.

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Title: Part of Al-Yarmouk youth Athletics for Peace.

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Title: Part of Al-Yarmouk Youth Athletics for Peace.

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Title: Sports Court.

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Title: Part of Al-Yarmouk Youth Athletics for Peace.

Source: Click Here

Title: Part of Al-Yarmouk youth Athletics for Peace.

Source: Click Here

Title: Part of Al-Yarmouk Youth Athletics for Peace.

Source: Click Here

Title: Sports Court.

Source: Click Here

The rehabilitation project transformed Al Yarmouk Park to serve as the hub for a wide range of public activities, including environmental campaigns, cultural events, as well as recreation and sports activities⁶. A series of components were implemented to ensure this transformation, including plantation and irrigation, solar energy projects, skills and training program, and development of a children’s playground⁷. The plantation activity introduced 300 new trees to the site, including 40 fruit trees and 60 palm trees⁸. Plants were specifically chosen based on their ability to absorb excess rainwater⁹. 800 square meters of grass cover was also installed, along with 2 wells and a solar powered irrigation system to sustain the plantation¹⁰. Other facilities that were implemented include 3 multi-purpose sports courts, an open-air gym, guard rooms, and a cycling route¹¹.

Owner/Developer (Public)

Mosul Municipality ²¹

Owner/Developer

Engineering Association For development and Environment ²²

Consultant/Designer

UN-Habitat ²³

Funder

European Union ²⁴

Contractor/Implementer

UNDP ²⁵

UN-Habitat ²⁶

Owner/Developer (Public)

Mosul Municipality ²¹

Owner/Developer

Engineering Association For development and Environment ²²

Contractor/Implementer

UNDP ²⁵

UN-Habitat ²⁶

Funder

European Union ²⁴

Consultant/Designer

UN-Habitat ²³

To support local livelihood generation, a female-only horticultural training program was held with 30 candidates, which helped create jobs for women with no fixed income¹². Other components of the park also facilitated local economic development, with 236 jobs for unemployed residents of the area, 10 of whom were women¹³.

Other community building initiatives included the “Al-Yarmouk Youth Athletics for Peace”, where 200 children from the neighborhood participated in football league championship, basketball and many more other sports¹⁴. These kinds of activities served as tools to strengthen the social networks and connections between the community and give the youth sense of belonging and relief¹⁵. The ‘Al Yarmouk Cleaning Day’, a joint initiative of Mosul municipality, UN-Habitat, and Su’ad Mosuliya, invited workers and volunteers to engage directly in the rehabilitation process¹⁶.

The project was launched in 2019¹⁷ by the United National Development Program in partnership with UN-Habitat and Mosul Municipality. With a cost of USD 2 million¹⁸, the project is funded by the European Union¹⁹ as part its Local Area Development Program²⁰.