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Iraq

Madinat as-Salam: The history of Baghdad’s first urban plan

Conceived in 762, Al-Mansur’s ‘Round City’ was an incredible example of early urban design, setting the stage for the Islamic Empire’s golden era. While today, Baghdad has undoubtedly grown beyond the double-ring masterplan, its original layout was then the region’s largest construction project, providing a throne from which the Abbasid dynasty reigned.

Architecture

ARound: Najaf and its mosques

In part four of the ARound: Najaf series, architect and Round City contributor Turath Jamil explores the history and architect...

Architecture

ARound: Najaf’s schools and madrasas

In part five of Round City’s ARound: Najaf series, Iraqi architect and PhD candidate Turath Jamil examines the city’s educational...

Architecture

Erbil’s Justice Tower: an ironic landmark

Iraqi academic No’man Bayaty explores Erbil’s Justice Tower, and provides insight into its architectural form and the urban challenges it poses.

Architecture

ARound: Najaf, a city between al-Kufa and al-Hira

In this new series by Round City, Paris-based Iraqi architect Turath Jamil explores the architecture and history of one of...

Architecture

A step into Baghdad’s first brutalist house: The Yasoub Rafiq Residence by Rifat Chadirji

In search of Baghdad’s identity, Paris-based architect Zeina Magazachi explores four different buildings that express Iraq’s modern architecture. This series...