Winners of the international competition are London-based architectural firm Assemblage, with their design concept that focuses on the creation of a community for 3,000 people, include residential buildings, infrastructure, schools, markets, healthcare centres and playing fields.

The designers have been very sensitive in the creation of their concept, and have included lush and aesthetically pleasing green spaces into the community setting in order to encourage environmental consciousness and harmony.

The planning and layout aspects of the project have also been implemented after serious consideration. Safety has been a key focus, so clever vehicle parking and pedestrian areas have been included. The surrounding landscaped areas will be shaded and pedestrian friendly to promote a sense of community and encourage outdoor interaction.

All of the materials and labour used for the construction will come directly from the local industry.

What is important to note is the care in which the development plan has been designed. Unlike many countries that treat low income housing as a throw away construction project, the architects have used advanced design systems and features in order to create a world-class development.

In addition to the use of the local labour force and materials as social and economical sustainable features, these low cost buildings will also include the use of environmentally sustainable design aspects that have been described by the architects as “rivalling western standards”.

While the full extent of these aspects are as yet to be released, there can be no doubting the commitment that this design and its designers are showing towards helping create a durable and worthwhile living space for Iraqis.

The project is set to begin construction later this year.

(Source: Design Build Source, Assemblage)

The 560 homes will be built on an 82-acre site close to the famed waterfall cascades in northern Mosul, in a joint-effort by Iraqiya and Andalusia Construction Companies.

Nineveh’s Governor, Athil Nujaifi, said the project will be completed by the beginning of 2013.

The companies recently completed the construction of a compound in Hadba, which includes 65 buildings, each containing three flats.

(Source: AKnews)

The agency reports that Kurdistan has a shortage of 100,000 housing units, but this project is expected to meet all the requirements of Zakho. The two projects will be worth about $525 million in total.

One of the projects will have 7,496 apartments with areas of 120, 145 and 150 square meters each, while the second project involves 708 villas with areas of 312, 450, 603 and 1,000 square meters.

Both projects also include schools, kindergartens, health centers, and shopping complexes.

(Source: AKnews)

(Photo credit: Zaxo)

At the last budget meeting on 5th December, Baghdad set the budget at $100 billion (115.8 trillion IQD) with a deficit of $13.5 million.

Abdul-Hussein Abtan, a member of the House of Representatives Economy and Investment Committee, said that the budget has now been increased to $115 billion (133.2 trillion IQD).

He added that it is was also proposed that the $15 billion (17.3 trillion IQD) for infrastructure projects be given in the form of credit.

(Source: AKnews)

Iraq Ministry of Oil, is urging all companies to pre-qualify to do business with ministry by participating in Iraq Energy EXPO and Conference, April 23th – 26th, 20121 at Baghdad International Convention Center.

While worldwide demand for oil continues to grow as world population grows, unfortunately significant new major opportunities for oil supplies do not exist anywhere in the world prior to Iraq opening its doors and welcoming international oil companies in the past few years.

According to Mr. Hussain al-Shahristani, Iraq Deputy PM for Energy stated recently “estimate on the Iraq proven oil reserves sharply increased to 143.1 billion barrels, an almost 25 per cent increase, the world’s second-largest proven reserves , that can be extracted by available techniques in the country”. Adding that this total is based on reserves in 66 oil fields and there are other areas to be explored that are expected to add more to the reserve total.

Iraq for decades was left behind the rest of the world with dilapidated infrastructure and no capital investment to grow its energy sector, many reasons contributed including three major wars. Today billions of dollars are being invested by major oil companies from around the world and the work just started, many more billions for years to come will be spend to level the playing field with other oil producing countries.

Unprecedented energy business opportunities exist today in Iraq, unmatched anywhere in the world, and we invite you to participate through Iraq Energy EXPO and Conference, April 23th – 26th, 2012 at Baghdad International Convention Center.

The government of Iraq invites you to participate, five ministries are involved in the staging and planning of this event, let us show you how easy and safe it is to be part of this historic event, we will handle all your logistics.

Your company will be able to encage face to face with top decision makers, be prepared to do business in Iraq, make the next step.

(Source: Iraqi Ministry of Oil)

Jordanians have a real opportunity to contribute to Iraq’s huge rebuilding projects, for which the government has allocated $40 billion in 2012, he said.

Mr Darraji made the remarks during a meeting with Jordanian minister of public works and housing, Mr Yahia Al Kasbi, and leading businessmen in the construction sector.

Describing it as a “reconstruction blueprint unprecedented in the Arab area”, he added that “given their expertise and reputation, Jordanian and other Arab contracting firms can have a tangible role in the Iraqi reconstruction process.”

He went on to assure them that investments in the reconstruction activity would be guaranteed by the Iraqi government.

(Source: Steel Guru)

2. UNAMI intends to award the result contract for one year, with the option of extension for additional one year at UNAMI’s discretion also subject to performance which should be satisfactory.

3. For this purpose, UNAMI will undertake a competitive bidding exercise shortly, accordingly would issue Invitation to Bid (ITB) to those companies who would express their interest and provide initial relevant information as to their ability to fulfill UNAMI’s requirement .

4. The Successful bidder shall be responsible, but not limited to:

a) Provide the following equipment :15-20 Tonnes Fork-lift, 20 Tonnes Crane, 30 Tonnes Crane, Flat bed, Dump Truck, Front End loader (shovel) and Roller Compactor.

b) Provide qualified fork lift, Crane and Truck operators and with sufficient knowledge and experience.

c) All equipments shall be duly registered preferably in the name of the contractor, and a copy of each rdddddegistration certificate with relevant details, ie date/year of manufacture, engine displacement and capacity, model number etc shall be furnished to UNAMI (separately for each equipment) upon entry into service.

ZHA senior architect Mohamed Al-Jubori attended a project briefing in Baghdad last month with Iraqi parliament president Osama al-Nujaifi. Hadid already has the contract for the Iraqi Central Bank building.

The practice is bidding against other companies including London-based studio Assemblage, which has reportedly teamed up with Adamsons, Aecom, Davis Langdon, Buro Happold and local company Al-Khan. United Arab Emirates-based Dewan Architects, which has a long association with Iraq, is also said to be interested.

The building site is the abandoned Al Muthana Airport where Saddam Hussein had planned to build a supermosque.

The competition’s second round deadline is July and a winner is expected to be announced later in the year.

The project also includes a complex of ancillary buildings surrounding the parliament and a masterplan for the surrounding area.

(Source: The Architects’ Journal, Arts Info)