Iraq's Urban Growth and Slums
Iraq is facing an escalating housing crisis, characterized by a deficit of approximately 2.3 million housing units, in addition to over 3.5 million citizens living in informal settlements. These settlements have increased from 1,515 in 2013 to 4,670 in 2022. The issue reflects a rising demand for housing, particularly in Baghdad, due to limited options resulting from high land and construction costs, as well as the concentration of jobs and services in major cities. The government has allocated around one million land plots to help address the crisis, but the need for financing, markets, and essential services remains a major obstacle. There is also a pressing need to direct housing programs towards densely populated areas and to provide incentives and affordable loans. Moreover, the expansion of informal settlements highlights the difficulty faced by lower-income groups in accessing decent housing, necessitating a comprehensive approach that goes beyond merely increasing land and unit supply.
Notice: This Is an AI-Generated Summary
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