Identity Collapse of Holy City Centres in Post-War Iraq: The Case of Najaf City Centre

Abstract

Holy city centres in post-war Iraq have undergone profound spatial and socio-cultural transformations, particularly following the extensive reconstruction processes initiated after 2003. This study examines the phenomenon of urban identity erosion in the city centre of Najaf as a representative case of sacred urban environments under rapid redevelopment’s conditions and competing institutional agendas. The research investigates how redevelopment projects, driven by religious, economic, and political imperatives, have affected the traditional urban fabric, altering its morphological continuity, spatial hierarchy, and socio-cultural functions. Adopting a qualitative case study design comprising morphological analysis, policy review, field observation, and semi-structured expert interviews .The study explores the transformation of Najaf’s historic core from a compact, organically evolved fabric into a more fragmented and functionally restructured urban space. Findings indicate that the weakening of traditional regulatory systems—such as customary practices, waqf-based continuity mechanisms, and locally embedded decision-making—has been replaced by centralized planning and investment-driven interventions. These shifts have contributed to the disruption of spatial continuity, reduction of residential presence, and increasing dominance of commercial and service-oriented land uses. Consequently, identity erosion is not merely a physical outcome of demolition or reconstruction, but a deeper process linked to changes in governance structures and the redistribution of spatial power. The comparison of redevelopment logics reveals tensions between preservation and modernization-driven approaches, particularly in balancing sacred value, urban functionality, and economic pressure. Ultimately, the paper argues that the preservation of sacred urban identity requires a redefined governance framework that integrates local socio-spatial knowledge, ensures participatory planning mechanisms, and prioritizes morphological continuity alongside functional modernization.