The Initial Planning Framework for the Reconstruction of Mosul

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has developed an Initial Planning Framework for the Reconstruction of Mosul to support the reconstruction and recovery efforts of the city government. It outlines recovery priorities, provides a comprehensive reconstruction and planning framework for the greater Mosul area with special focus on the Old City, and identifies concrete action plans for the revival of the entire Mosul metropolis.

Since the liberation of East Mosul in January 2017, followed by West Mosul in July 2017 from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), humanitarian organizations have provided emergency assistance for the rehabilitation of infrastructure and public facilities in Mosul. However, the Mosul government and other stakeholders have expressed concern that without a coordinated strategy, the reconstruction effort is inefficient and has the potential to complicate long-term development of the city. The recovery and reconstruction of Mosul would benefit greatly from a guiding framework that addresses emerging needs and the fast-changing reality on the ground in greater Mosul.

The damage inflicted on Mosul’s cultural heritage during the fighting to oust ISIL is severe. Parts of the Old City were devastated in the final phase of liberation, leaving behind destroyed monuments and buildings, demolished houses, damaged infrastructure, and unexploded ordnance. The historic urban fabric along the Tigris River has been destroyed, with an estimated 5,000 buildings in the Old City either razed to the ground or severely damaged.

The Initial Planning Framework for the Reconstruction of Mosul is supported by the Office of the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq.