Post-Disaster Restoration of Erbil’s Qaysariya Bazaar

Khayyat, Mahmood and Abdollah, Israa and Al-Baldawi, Hana and Husham, Zena (2026) Post-Disaster Restoration of Erbil’s Qaysariya Bazaar. EVERYBODY PLANS ... SOMETIMES. Cherish Heritage, Plan Now, Create a Better Future! Proceedings of REAL CORP 2026, 31st International Conference on Urban Development, Regional Planning and Information Society. pp. 1285-1290. ISSN 2521-3938

Text (Post-Disaster Restoration of Erbil’s Qaysariya Bazaar) CORP2026_81.pdf - Published Version Download (1MB)

Abstract

The Qaysari Bazaar in Erbil, one of the city’s most important historic commercial centers, was severely damaged by a fire in May 2024, resulting in the destruction or partial damage of approximately 270 shops and the loss of income for many families. This research investigates the renovation process, material and structural strategies, service implementation, and the social impacts of the project on shopkeepers and visitors. Data was collected through interviews with two project engineers, twelve shopkeepers, and around twenty visitors, in addition to site observations. The findings show that a damage-based classification approach allowed collapsed shops to be reconstructed in their original form, while less-damaged areas received surface renovation, preserving architectural authenticity through the use of traditional and locally sourced materials. Infrastructure systems such as ventilation, sewage, lighting, and fire suppression were upgraded to improve safety and functionality. Socially, most shopkeepers expressed satisfaction with the final design and felt that the bazaar retained its heritage identity; however, they reported serious financial hardship due to a year of unemployment and insufficient governmental aid. Visitors generally perceived the renovation as successful and restorative of the bazaar’s cultural character. Overall, the project demonstrates a strong balance between heritage conservation and modernization, while also revealing the need for greater social and economic support mechanisms in post-disaster heritage restoration projects.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	disaster management, planning, restoration, renovation, infrastructure
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Depositing User:	REAL CORP Administrator
Date Deposited:	25 Jun 2026 07:20
Last Modified:	01 Jul 2026 07:28
URI:	http://repository.corp.at/id/eprint/1404

Actions (login required)

View Item