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“Baghdad sustainable Forests” in Al Rasheed Camp

Baghdad, Iraq

2020 - Ongoing

Green InfrastructureGreen SpacesPublic SpacesUrban Park

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Project Description

Approach Words: Integrated City, Sustainability, Urban Livability

Public Policy Instruments: Financial Mechanism, Physical Intervention, Planning

Baghdad Sustainable Forests Project is a major green urban redevelopment project transforming the former Al-Rasheed military camp,¹ used as a landfill since 2003,² located between the Karrada and Zaafaraniya districts in Baghdad city.³ The project is about transforming this camp into a 12 million square meters⁴ urban forest⁵ and recreational complex,⁶ comprising sustainable forests, parks, public spaces and eco-tourism facilities.⁷
The project is a flagship initiative of Baghdad Mayoralty’s “Green Capital Strategy” ⁱ ⁸, a municipal green transformation plan aiming to revitalize abandoned and vacant areas in the city, offering environmental, recreational, and socio-economic benefits to the city’s residents.⁹ This Green Capital strategy aims to create a clean environment, reduce desertification, mitigate climate change effects, and improve urban livability.¹⁰

Title: Master Plan for Baghdad Sustainable Forests.

Source: Click Here

Title: Kids Area within the Forests

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Title: Tourist chalets Zone

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Title: The Water Park

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Title: Master Plan for Baghdad Sustainable Forests.

Source: Click Here

Title: Kids Area within the Forests

Source: Click Here

Title: Tourist chalets Zone

Source: Click Here

Title: The Water Park

Source: Click Here

The project seeks to create Iraq’s largest urban forest and ecological park, enhancing the capital’s aesthetic and environmental appeal.¹¹ The project is envisioning “new lung for Baghdad” and is one of the ways to address air pollution and reduce the impact of toxic emissions on Iraqi citizens.¹² It also seeks to enhance the quality of life for residents by developing a public space that combines sustainable forests with dedicated areas for recreation and entertainment.¹³ This initiative encompasses a variety of tourist and recreational facilities organized around two main components: expansive forested zones and recreational activity areas.¹⁴

It is a mega-scale green infrastructure initiative that covers over 85% of the land as sustainable forests with native and ancient trees,¹⁵ and 15% as public and recreational amenities, forming a multifunctional park with 28 zones.¹⁶
Key landscape and ecological design elements include:

Artificial rivers, water channels, and drip irrigation systems.¹⁷ ¹⁸
Forests with thematic zones (Culture and Arts, Children and Entertainment, Women’s, Science and Education, Sports, The National Pavilion and The Global Village).¹⁹
Facilities: A 30-story five-star hotel, chalets, sports courts, shopping center, water park and amusement parks for adults and children.²⁰

The park’s public and recreational areas attract visitors, particularly residents from surrounding neighborhoods, families seeking relaxation and play areas for their children, and athletes, especially cyclists for the dedicated bike trails and sport courts.²¹

Owner/Developer (Public)

Mayoralty of Baghdad ³¹

Iraq’s National Investment Commission (NIC)³²

Consultant/Designer

Imkanat ³³

Funder

Iraq’s National Investment Commission (NIC)³⁴

Contractor/Implementer

Imkanat ³⁵

Owner/Developer (Public)

Mayoralty of Baghdad ³¹

Iraq’s National Investment Commission (NIC)³²

Contractor/Implementer

Imkanat ³⁵

Funder

Iraq’s National Investment Commission (NIC)³⁴

Consultant/Designer

Imkanat ³³

Moreover, the forest plantation is designed according to ecological restoration principles. It prioritizes environmental protection through erosion control, pollutant filtration, and reduced evapotranspiration, thereby strengthening watershed resilience and combating desertification.²² ²³ The landscape will exclude built structures and pathways, focusing instead on eco-agricultural features supported by drip irrigation systems fed by artesian wells.²⁴

The project is initiated and led by the Baghdad Mayoralty²⁵ and Iraq’s National Investment Commission (NIC).²⁶ With an estimated cost of $2.5 billion,²⁷ it is financed and overseen by the National Investment Commission (NIC)²⁸ and implemented through a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) investment model. A consortium comprising Azerbaijani, Turkish, and Iraqi companies is responsible for its design, construction, and log-term operation.²⁹
Launched in 2020, the project’s current phase covers site clearance from waste and foundational work, with the first sections expected to open in 2025.³⁰

Project Link, Endnotes and References

Project Link

N.A.

Endnotes

i More info about Baghdad Municipality comprehensive plan to transform abandoned areas and vacant sites into vibrant green spaces is available in this link: https://femalejournalistsforclimate.com/gardens-and-parks-in-baghdad-combating-desertification-and-creating-job-opportunities/

References

‘Massive “Baghdad Forests” initiative set to open in 2025’. (2024). 964media. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from <https://en.964media.com/22247/>
إنفوبلاس. (2024). ‘5 آلاف دونم وبحيرات وفنادق.. الكشف عن مشروع “غابات بغداد”.. الأول من نوعه في العراق بمنشآت “مدهشة”’. إنفوبلاس. Retrieved October 13, 2024, from <https://www.infoplusnetwork.com/news/local/5-آلاف-دونم-وبحيرات-وفنادق-الكشف-عن-مشروع-غابات-بغداد-الأول>
‘Massive “Baghdad Forests” initiative set to open in 2025’. (2024). 964media. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from <https://en.964media.com/22247/>
‘بقيمة تقدر ب 2,5 مليار دولار… – مشاريع بغداد – Baghdad Projects | Facebook’. (n.d.). . Retrieved October 12, 2024, from <https://www.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=746969414251938&id=100068166585176&_rdr>
‘Massive “Baghdad Forests” initiative set to open in 2025’. (2024). 964media. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from <https://en.964media.com/22247/>
‘Baghdad launches major green space initiative at Al-Rasheed military base’. (2024). 964media. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from <https://en.964media.com/20592/>
Muhsen, M., & Projects, Z. (n.d.). ‘Baghdad Sustainable Forests project receives investment license’. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from <https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/construction/baghdad-sustainable-forests-project-receives-investment-license-qd8a1gwk>
‘صور من افتتاح أكبر منتزه في جانب الرصافة.. نافورة راقصة وألعاب أطفال وإنارة حديثة’. (2024). +964. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from <https://964media.com/387067/>
‘صور من افتتاح أكبر منتزه في جانب الرصافة.. نافورة راقصة وألعاب أطفال وإنارة حديثة’. (2024). +964. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from <https://964media.com/387067/>
‘Gardens and Parks in Baghdad: Combating Desertification and Creating Job Opportunities – صحفيات من أجل المناخ’. (n.d.). . Retrieved October 10, 2024, from <https://femalejournalistsforclimate.com/gardens-and-parks-in-baghdad-combating-desertification-and-creating-job-opportunities/>
‘Massive “Baghdad Forests” initiative set to open in 2025’. (2024). 964media. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from <https://en.964media.com/22247/>
‘رئيس الهيئة الوطنية للإستثمار يوقع إجازة لمشروع غابات بغداد المستدامة – National Investment Commission’. (n.d.). . Retrieved October 12, 2024, from <https://investpromo.gov.iq/ar?p=39535>
‘صور من افتتاح أكبر منتزه في جانب الرصافة.. نافورة راقصة وألعاب أطفال وإنارة حديثة’. (2024). +964. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from <https://964media.com/387067/>
‘Baghdad launches major green space initiative at Al-Rasheed military base’. (2024). 964media. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from <https://en.964media.com/20592/>
‘بقيمة تقدر ب 2,5 مليار دولار… – مشاريع بغداد – Baghdad Projects | Facebook’. (n.d.). . Retrieved October 12, 2024, from <https://www.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=746969414251938&id=100068166585176&_rdr>
مشروع غابات بغداد المستدامة اكبر غابات مستدامة في العراق. (2025). . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcElMflgs7E
‘بقيمة تقدر ب 2,5 مليار دولار… – مشاريع بغداد – Baghdad Projects | Facebook’. (n.d.). . Retrieved October 12, 2024, from <https://www.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=746969414251938&id=100068166585176&_rdr>
إنفوبلاس. (2024). ‘5 آلاف دونم وبحيرات وفنادق.. الكشف عن مشروع “غابات بغداد”.. الأول من نوعه في العراق بمنشآت “مدهشة”’. إنفوبلاس. Retrieved October 17, 2024, from <https://www.infoplusnetwork.com/news/local/5-آلاف-دونم-وبحيرات-وفنادق-الكشف-عن-مشروع-غابات-بغداد-الأول>
مشروع غابات بغداد المستدامة اكبر غابات مستدامة في العراق. (2025). . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcElMflgs7E
‘بقيمة تقدر ب 2,5 مليار دولار… – مشاريع بغداد – Baghdad Projects | Facebook’. (n.d.). . Retrieved October 12, 2024, from <https://www.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=746969414251938&id=100068166585176&_rdr>
إنفوبلاس. (2024). ‘5 آلاف دونم وبحيرات وفنادق.. الكشف عن مشروع “غابات بغداد”.. الأول من نوعه في العراق بمنشآت “مدهشة”’. إنفوبلاس. Retrieved October 17, 2024, from <https://www.infoplusnetwork.com/news/local/5-آلاف-دونم-وبحيرات-وفنادق-الكشف-عن-مشروع-غابات-بغداد-الأول>
إنفوبلاس. (2024). ‘5 آلاف دونم وبحيرات وفنادق.. الكشف عن مشروع “غابات بغداد”.. الأول من نوعه في العراق بمنشآت “مدهشة”’. إنفوبلاس. Retrieved October 17, 2024, from <https://www.infoplusnetwork.com/news/local/5-آلاف-دونم-وبحيرات-وفنادق-الكشف-عن-مشروع-غابات-بغداد-الأول>
رئيس الهيئة الوطنية للإستثمار يوقع إجازة لمشروع غابات بغداد المستدامة – National Investment Commission’. (n.d.). . Retrieved October 12, 2024, from <https://investpromo.gov.iq/ar?p=39535>
إنفوبلاس. (2024). ‘5 آلاف دونم وبحيرات وفنادق.. الكشف عن مشروع “غابات بغداد”.. الأول من نوعه في العراق بمنشآت “مدهشة”’. إنفوبلاس. Retrieved October 17, 2024, from <https://www.infoplusnetwork.com/news/local/5-آلاف-دونم-وبحيرات-وفنادق-الكشف-عن-مشروع-غابات-بغداد-الأول>
‘Baghdad launches major green space initiative at Al-Rasheed military base’. (2024). 964media. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from <https://en.964media.com/20592/>
Muhsen, M., & Projects, Z. (n.d.). ‘Baghdad Sustainable Forests project receives investment license’. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from <https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/construction/baghdad-sustainable-forests-project-receives-investment-license-qd8a1gwk>
‘بقيمة تقدر ب 2,5 مليار دولار… – مشاريع بغداد – Baghdad Projects | Facebook’. (n.d.). . Retrieved October 12, 2024, from <https://www.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=746969414251938&id=100068166585176&_rdr>
Muhsen, M., & Projects, Z. (n.d.). ‘Baghdad Sustainable Forests project receives investment license’. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from <https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/construction/baghdad-sustainable-forests-project-receives-investment-license-qd8a1gwk>
إنفوبلاس. (2024). ‘5 آلاف دونم وبحيرات وفنادق.. الكشف عن مشروع “غابات بغداد”.. الأول من نوعه في العراق بمنشآت “مدهشة”’. إنفوبلاس. Retrieved October 12, 2024, from <https://www.infoplusnetwork.com/news/local/5-آلاف-دونم-وبحيرات-وفنادق-الكشف-عن-مشروع-غابات-بغداد-الأول>
‘Massive “Baghdad Forests” initiative set to open in 2025’. (2024). 964media. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from <https://en.964media.com/22247/>
‘Baghdad launches major green space initiative at Al-Rasheed military base’. (2024). 964media. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from <https://en.964media.com/20592/>
Muhsen, M., & Projects, Z. (n.d.). ‘Baghdad Sustainable Forests project receives investment license’. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from <https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/construction/baghdad-sustainable-forests-project-receives-investment-license-qd8a1gwk>
‘‘انطلاق أعمال مشروع “غابات بغداد المستدامة” لتعزيز المساحات الخضراء’. (n.d.). . Retrieved May 10, 2025, from <https://videoiq.azurewebsites.net/Detail?jimare=13662>
Muhsen, M., & Projects, Z. (n.d.). ‘Baghdad Sustainable Forests project receives investment license’. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from <https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/construction/baghdad-sustainable-forests-project-receives-investment-license-qd8a1gwk>
‘‘انطلاق أعمال مشروع “غابات بغداد المستدامة” لتعزيز المساحات الخضراء’. (n.d.). . Retrieved May 10, 2025, from <https://videoiq.azurewebsites.net/Detail?jimare=13662>