The renewal of Khadimyia (Baghdad). Archiotectural Competition.

The Mayoralty of Baghdad (Iraq) prepared an international architectural competition for the renewal of the Kadhimyia neighborhood in Baghdad last year.

The organizers were afraid that, due to the political situation, no foreign architects, except some North-Americans already in Baghdad, would accept to participate (in collaboration with Iraqi architectural offices).

AV62 Arquitectos was invited to the competition. Josep Llinás, who at first was working on his own, talked about the possibility of creating a Spanish architectural team (from Barcelona), with Mawrid Architects in Baghdad.

The project had to deal with an important problem. Khadimyia, which was until the XXth century a town on its own, is built around a most important XVIth century chiite shrine. All around, lively souks, a small mosque and shrines, markets and wooden old houses, still rather well presented even if neglected sometimes, are connected by a lace of pedestrian narrow streets. Four times a year, this quiet neighborhood is invaded by millions of pilgrims from around the world who cannot be well received due to the lack of equipments (mosque, madrassas, restaurants, lodges, etc).

The project had to deal with this problem, while keeping as much as possible the structure and feeling of the area.

A first renewal was undertaken in the 80´s, abandoned due to the so trouble last thirty years.

We have tried to keep a balance between temporary and everyday needs. The mosque has been located underground in order to avoid tearing down a large part of Khadimyia. Lodges have been placed in a new park near the river.

The winner project, by Diwan Architects, from the Emirates, has been shown recently in Baghdad. Some people argued about the destruction of 95% of the neighborhood, but the winner team replied that only 85% of it will be erased. The Mayoralty of Baghdad has to take a final decision yet. The UNESCO has been contacted.

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