“Baghdad sustainable Forests” in Al Rasheed Camp*

Baghdad Sustainable Forests Project is a redevelopment initiative of the former Al-Rasheed military camp, located between the Karrada and Zaafaraniya districts in Baghdad city. The initiative consists of the rehabilitation and transformation of the camp into an urban park including sustainable forests and recreational zones, after being used as a landfill since 2003. The project is part of Baghdad Mayoralty “Green Capital Strategy” which is a comprehensive plan aiming to revitalize abandoned and vacant areas in the city, transforming them into vibrant green spaces that will serve as new recreational centers for Baghdad families, in line with government directives. This Green Capital strategy aims to create a clean environment and mitigate climate change effects by increasing green spaces in the capital city of Baghdad.

The project aims to enhance the capital’s aesthetic and environmental appeal, as it serves as a new lung for Baghdad and is one of the ways to address air pollution and reduce the impact of toxic emissions on Iraqi citizens. It also seeks to enhance the quality of life for residents by establishing a public recreational space devoted to recreation and entertainment.

The project extends over a total area of 12 million square meters. It encompasses a variety of tourist and recreational facilities, including a hotel, shopping centers, and large areas green spaces and gardens.  This initiative is divided into two main aspects: the establishment of large spaces of sustainable forests, and the creation of areas devoted for recreational and entertainment activities.

In terms of green spaces and sustainable forests, it will cover over 85% of the total area of the camp and will encompasses the largest green urban forest in Iraq, including ancient trees. This green forest will be interspersed with water channels and artificial rivers. xv

In term of recreational and entertainment areas, it will cover the remaining 15% of the land will encompasses establishing a range of public spaces and amenities, including recreational and leisure areas such as gardens, sports fields, restaurants, and cafes. The project encompasses 28 diverse functional areas, including: Forest of Culture and Arts, Children and Entertainment Forest, Women’s Forest, Science and Education Forest, sports forest, The National Pavilion and the Global Forest Village. xvi Specifically, the forest will include the following components:

• A five-star hotel resort featuring a 30-story skyscraper.
• Tourist chalets.
• Water park.
• Amusement parks for adults and children.
• Shopping center.
• walking and sports trails.
• Sports Courts (squash and football).

The park’s public and recreational areas attract visitors, particularly individuals from surrounding neighborhoods, residents, and families seeking relaxation and play areas for their children. The project also attracts athletes, especially cyclists, due to the presence of the bike path. Moreover, the forest plantation will address the desertification issue and stabilize the vegetation cover.

It will also enhance the resilience and quality of watersheds and water reservoirs by preventing erosion, limiting evapotranspiration, and filtering pollutants. The forest will be free of pathways and structural elements, focusing solely on agricultural features and using drip irrigation methods fed by artesian wells.

The project is initiated by the mayoralty of Baghdadxxi and Iraq’s National Investment Commission (NIC). The project, with an estimated cost of $2.5 billion, is funded through the National Investment Commission (NIC). Its design and implementation will follow a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) investment model and be managed by a consortium of Azerbaijani, Turkish, and Iraqi companies.

Initial efforts have focused on clearing the site of waste and unauthorized structures, with plans to open the first sections of the park in 2025.