Restoring the Local Heritage and its Role in Sustainable Spatial Development the Great Market in Al-Najaf – a Case Study

Abstract

Abstract- Regional and local changes in Iraq have led to an accelerateddynamic of comprehensive development without the preservation of localheritage, which caused the loss of many traditional buildings, changing theirurban fabric, the emergence of contradictory architectural styles, and otherswithout a clear and specific identity, causing visual deformation. The researchproblem was identified from the goals and principles of urban design thatconcerned with the conservation, restoration, and continuity of heritagecontext, activates their role in sustainable development programs and as aresponse to changes and radical shifts in spatial structures of city centers, andthe social and economic changes, as; “the lack of clear indicators for therestoration of local heritage and its role in achieving spatial development”.The paper will present an analytical study of international and Arabic leadingexperiences, in the processes of preserving and restoring local heritage, as animportant policy in the development and sustainability of places, and try toassess the local experience, according to the indicators derived from them,conduct recommendations for developing the methodologies and policies ofrestoring local heritage, that suit with the identity and privacy of historicaland heritage contexts.