Bismayah New City

Bismayah New City, located 10 kilometers southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, is a large-scale planned city developed to address the country’s housing shortage and urbanization challenges. Launched in 2013, the project aims to build 100,000 housing units to accommodate 600,000 residents. Developed by the Bismayah Development Company, a partnership between Iraqi and international firms, the city features modern infrastructure, including residential areas, commercial centers, schools, healthcare facilities, and green spaces. The design incorporates eco-friendly technologies and sustainable urban planning. However, the development has faced challenges, including delays, security concerns, and financing issues. Despite these setbacks, Bismayah New City is seen as a critical part of Iraq’s urban revitalization efforts, offering affordable housing and contributing to economic development in the region.

Bismayah New City is a new city, not just a district. Located southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, it was designed and developed as a large-scale urban settlement to address Iraq’s severe housing shortage. The city is being built on reclaimed land and aims to provide 100,000 housing units for 600,000 residents. Unlike a district, which would simply expand an existing urban area, Bismayah is a completely planned city with its own infrastructure, residential areas, commercial zones, schools, and healthcare facilities.

While it remains part of the larger Baghdad metropolitan area, Bismayah is designed to be independent and self-sustaining, making it a new city rather than just an extension of Baghdad.

Bismayah New City is leaning toward being a “ghost city” at this point, though not entirely abandoned. While it has a small number of residents and some infrastructure in place, the vast majority of its housing and commercial space remains empty. Political instability, economic constraints, and slow construction have prevented it from achieving anything close to a “moderate success.” Instead, it sits in limbo: not fully deserted, but far from a thriving, self-sustaining urban center.

Strengths:

• Iraq’s Largest Housing Project: Bismayah was envisioned as a new urban center for over 100,000 families, marking a significant effort to address the country’s housing crisis.
• Strong Initial Funding and Planning: The project had a clear masterplan developed by South Korea’s Hanwha Engineering & Construction, with modern residential complexes and planned amenities.
• Early Progress on Construction: Several thousand housing units have been delivered, and residents have started moving in, showing some initial momentum.
• Planned Public Services: Bismayah includes schools, clinics, and retail facilities, aiming to provide a modern urban environment that could eventually attract more families.

Challenges:

• Political Instability and Security Concerns: Ongoing unrest and political turmoil in Iraq have slowed construction and discouraged potential residents.
• Economic and Financial Hurdles: Limited government resources and financial delays have resulted in construction slowdowns, leaving much of the project incomplete.
• Underwhelming Population Growth: While a small number of families have moved in, Bismayah is still largely empty, with its vast infrastructure underutilized.
• Lack of Economic Activity: The city has yet to develop a robust local economy or attract significant businesses, making it feel more like a housing estate than a self-sufficient urban center.