City identity: Erbil City and Erbil citadel, City Identity, Environment Identity, Nature Identity The citadel town of Erbil lies in the middle of the Greater City of Erbil. It lies between longitudinal lines (45.05 E, 43.4 E) and latitudinal lines (37.20 N, 36.25 N). Although it is now completely engulfed by the huge expanse of the modern city it still lies at the heart of the busy central commercial district. Erbil is the Capital City of the Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq and is about 350 kilometers northeast of Baghdad, 80 kilometers southeast of Mosul, and 96 kilometers northwest of Sulaimaniya. The city may be reached by car from all major towns of Iraq and also from the neighboring countries of Iran, Turkey, Syria and Jordan by a modern system of highways. There is also an international airport which is only about 7 kilometers west of the citadel.

1. provided by
A bout
2013 - 2014

3. 1- Geography
The citadel town of Erbil lies in the middle of the Greater City of Erbil.
It lies between longitudinal lines (45.05 E, 43.4 E) and latitudinal lines (37.20 N, 36.25 N).
Although it is now completely engulfed by the huge expanse of the modern city it still lies
at the heart of the busy central commercial district.
Erbil is the Capital City of the Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq and is about 350
kilometers northeast of Baghdad, 80 kilometers southeast of Mosul, and 96 kilometers
northwest of Sulaimaniya.
The city may be reached by car from all major towns of Iraq and also from the neighboring
countries of Iran, Turkey, Syria and Jordan by a modern system of highways.
There is also an international airport which is only about 7 kilometers west of the citadel.
City Identity, Environment Identity, Nature Identity
Country
Autonomous region
Iraq
Kurdistan

4. City Identity, Environment Identity, Nature Identity
2- Topography
The citadel town of Erbil is elliptical in overall form and rises to about 28-32 meters
above the surrounding city below.
Because of this height it dominates the city's skyline although, recently, this visual
domination has become seriously threatened by new high-rise commercial
development very close to it.

5. If this high-rise development is continued to be allowed it will soon be completely suffocated
and its dramatic visual dominance will be a thing of the past.
Its longer dimension (east-west axis) is about 430 meters long and its shorter one (north-
south axis) is about 340 meters long.
It encloses an area slightly more than 10 hectares.
The slope, which surrounds the citadel all around, is earthen and steeply inclines between 35
to 60 degrees.
The slope is steeper on the northwestern side than other sides.
City Identity, Environment Identity, Nature Identity

6. Elevation of Erbil , Iraq Elevation Map, Topography , Contour
426 meter, Below is the Elevation map of Erbil , Iraq, which displays range of elevation with
different colours . The elevation map of Erbil , Iraq is generated using elevation data from
NASA's 90m resolution SRTM data.
The maps also provides idea of topography and contour of Erbil , Iraq.
Erbil , Iraq Elevation Map is displayed at different zoom levels.

7. 3- Climate
The climate of the city is semi-arid continental in nature, with four clearly defined seasons.
Summers are hot and dry with mean temperature highs of 39-43 degrees Celsius and without
rainfall.
Winters are mildly cold averaging some 7 degrees Celsius with an average of 56 mm. of rain.
Spring is a most pleasant season in Kurdistan.
Mean high temperatures range from 13-18 degrees Celsius in March to 27-32 degrees in May.
[hide]Climate data for Erbil
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record
high °C
(°F)
20
(
68
)
27
(
81
)
30
(
86
)
34
(
93
)
42
(
108
)
44
(
111
)
48
(
118
)
49
(
120
)
45
(
113
)
39
(
102
)
31
(
88
)
24
(
75
)
49
(
120
)
Averag
e high
°C (°F)
12.4
(
54.3
)
14.2
(
57.6
)
18.1
(
64.6
)
24
(
75
)
31.5
(
88.7
)
38.1
(
100.6
)
42
(
108
)
41.9
(
107.4
)
37.9
(
100.2
)
30.7
(
87.3
)
21.2
(
70.2
)
14.4
(
57.9
)
27.2
(
80.98
)
Daily
mean
°C (°F)
7.4
(
45.3
)
8.9
(
48
)
12.4
(
54.3
)
17.5
(
63.5
)
24.1
(
75.4
)
29.7
(
85.5
)
33.4
(
92.1
)
33.1
(
91.6
)
29
(
84
)
22.6
(
72.7
)
15
(
59
)
9.1
(
48.4
)
20.18
(
68.32
)
Averag
e low
°C (°F)
2.4
(
36.3
)
3.6
(
38.5
)
6.7
(
44.1
)
11.1
(
52
)
16.7
(
62.1
)
21.4
(
70.5
)
24.9
(
76.8
)
24.4
(
75.9
)
20.1
(
68.2
)
14.5
(
58.1
)
8.9
(
48
)
3.9
(
39
)
13.22
(
55.79
)
Record
low °C
(°F)
−
4
(
25
)
−
6
(
21
)
−
1
(
30
)
3
(
37
)
6
(
43
)
10
(
50
)
13
(
55
)
17
(
63
)
11
(
52
)
4
(
39
)
−
2
(
28
)
−
2
(
28
)
−
6
(
21
)
Precipit
ation m
m
(inches)
111
(
4.37
)
97
(
3.82
)
89
(
3.5
)
69
(
2.72
)
26
(
1.02
)
0
(
0
)
0
(
0
)
0
(
0
)
0
(
0
)
12
(
0.47
)
56
(
2.2
)
80
(
3.15
)
540
(
21.25
)
Avg. pr
ecipitat
ion
days
9 9 10 9 4 1 — — 1 3 6 10 —
Avg. sn
owy
days
1 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — —
% hum
idity
74.5 70 65 58.5 41.5 28.5 25 27.5 30.5 43.5 60.5 75.5 50.04
Source #1: Climate-Data.org,[75] My Forecast for records, humidity, snow and precipitation days[76]
Source #2: What's the Weather Like.org,[77] Erbilia[78]
However, during the hot summer time,
the citadel enjoys a markedly cooler
micro-climate.
This is because its narrow alleyways
provide continuous shade and induce
pleasant breezes.
Moreover, the interiors of its traditional
buildings offer a very pleasant and
comfortable environment.
Open courtyards are usually planted
with trees and occasionally have water
fountains. The thickness of brick walls
and other passive cooling techniques
such as semi-basements and window
screens offer added advantages.
City Identity, Environment Identity, Nature Identity

8. 4- water
City Identity, Environment Identity, Nature Identity

9. City Identity, Environment Identity, Man-made Identity
1- City scale
Urban life at Erbil (Hewlêr) can be dated back to at least 6000 BC,[3][4] and it is one of the oldest
continuously inhabited cities in the world.[3][4] At the heart of the city is the ancient Citadel of
Arbil. In the early part of the 3rd Millennium BC, the Hurrians from Asia Minorwere the first to
establish Urbilum and expand their rule to parts of northern Mesopotamia. The city became an
integral part of Assyria from the 25th century BC to the 7th century AD, but after it lost its
independence at the end of the 7th century BC, both Assyria and the city of Erbil was under the
rule of many regional powers, including; the Babylonians, the Medes, the Persians and Greeks.
Following the Arab Islamic conquest of Mesopotamia, the Arabs dissolved Assyria (then known
as Assuristan/Athura) as a geo-political entity in the mid-7th century AD, and
during Medieval times the city came to be ruled by the Seljuk and Ottoman Turks.[5]
Erbil's archaeological museum houses a large collection of pre-Islamic artifacts, and is a center
for archaeological projects in the area.[6]
The city officially has been appointed Arab Tourism Capital 2014 by the Arab Council of
Tourism

10. City Identity, Environment Identity, Man-made Identity
2- History
In prehistoric times, the region was home to a Neanderthal culture such as has been found
at the Shanidar Cave.
The region was host to the Jarmo culture circa 7000 BC.
The earliest neolithic site in Kurdistan is at Tell Hassuna, the centre of the Hassuna culture,
circa 6000 BC.
The region was inhabited by the northern branch of the Akkadians, later known as
Assyrians, and Hurrians.
It was ruled by the Akkadian Empire from 2334 BC until 2154 BC.
One of the major Assyrian cities in the area, Arbil (Arba-Ilu), was noted for its distinctive
cult of Ishtar, and the city was called "the Lady of Ishtar" by its Assyrian inhabitants.
Islamic period
Kurdish Independent Kingdoms and Autonomous Principalities circa 1835.
The region was conquered by Arab Muslims in the mid 7th century AD,
Kurdish revolts under British control
Neanderthal, Akkadian, Assyrian, Babylonians, Achaemenian, Greek Seleucid, Sassanid
Assyria, Islamic period
Throughout the city's history, power has changed hands numerous times. Reading about
it's history was analogous to reading about the history of my "homeland," Albania:
Everyone has conquered it at some point or another. In Erbil, this includes the Akkadians,
Sumerians, Greeks, Ottomans, and British.

11. just compare the older
photo someone
uploaded in 1935 with the
one I just took in 2014 for
evidence of how Erbil is
booming.
here defeated Hulagu khan

12. City Identity, Environment Identity, Man-made Identity
3- Urban Fabric
A- citadel
Dating back at least 6,000 years, Erbil citadel is the oldest continuously inhabited
urban settlement in the world,
The ancient city wall still dominates the center
of Erbil.

13. Al-Kaisariyah-Souk-Kweih
Al Kaisariyah in Erbil was originally a shopping alley
Besides its unique architecture, the main reason why people visit it is because the alley is
completely covered with a roof.
Lots of shops stretch all over Al Kaisariyah, giving visitors various shopping options at
competitive prices. , Being accessible by foot
The covered Erbil Qaysari Bazaars, lying below
the main entrance to the citadel and stocking
mainly household goods and tools.
B- bazar ,kaisariyah, commerical ,shopping, ….etc

14. Nishtiman Shopping Mall
Mega Mall
Family Mall

15. jalil-khayat-mosque
Most mosques were fairly small and not ornate.
The Grand Mosque in Erbil is spectacular
Old Minaret, Erbil
The 36 m high Mudhafaria Minaret, situated in Minaret Park several blocks from the citadel, dates back to
the late 12th century AD and the reign of Erbil king Muzaffar Al-Din Abu Sa’eed Al-Kawkaboori.
It has an octagonal base decorated with two tiers of niches, which is separated from the main shaft by a
small balcony, also decorated., Another historical minaret with turquoise glazed tiles is nearby.
C- Mosques
Era Atabeg

16. 85 housing units in the castle
580 residential houses
300 houses remained in different conditions
Ottoman house
D- residences
Since 2007, HCECR has been working in the citadel to preserve
and conserve the existing 330 buildings, some of which are in
a precariously dilapidated state – 90% of the buildings are now
derelict.
Between 1930 and 1974, all but one of the residents left,
leaving the city empty for nearly two decades
The years of neglect have taken their toll.
These houses require constant maintenance: their flat roofs are covered with a soil and straw mix,
which must be rolled with a large round stone after every rainfall to maintain a
watertight seal – a Herculean task for the HCECR today.
High Commission for Erbil Citadel Revitalization ...

17. Area: 37,872 m
460 luxury apartment
Location: Gulan road business district
E- New erbil
ERBIL - autonomous region of Kurdistan - Iraq.
Iraq is not booming in anyway as it is not safe, except the semi-autonomous Kurdistan
region which has been safe and autonomous since the 1991 no-fly-zone by NATO.........
the region is working towards independence from chaotic Iraq.
English Village was one of the first compounds
to be developed in Erbil.
Purchase prices for villas in the English village
are nearing the half million US dollar mark.

18. City Identity, Environment Identity, Man-made Identity
4- City Image
Sky line
The citadel town of Erbil is elliptical in overall form and rises to about 28-32 meters above
the surrounding city below.
Because of this height it dominates the city's skyline although, recently, this visual
domination has become seriously threatened by new high-rise commercial development

19. the color of the city
using different colors in the building

20. Beautiful new square with many fountains at the base of the historic old Citadel.
A- open space
5- Space scale
City Identity, Environment Identity, Man-made Identity
Shar Garden Square is a recently constructed
esplanade just below the citadel complete with
fountains, brick arcades and a clock tower modeled on
London’s Big Ben

21. B- streets

22. manicured Minaret Park .It's elegant city park .
Minaret Park
Sami abudl rahman
C- park
SHANIDAR

23. D- water front

24. 6- district scale
City Identity, Environment Identity, Man-made Identity
Path, node, edge
The streamlined path: good journey and provide and courage the
feeling of restless.
landmark
the meandering alleyways of the town and visit its
beautiful restored houses, the mosque, the public
baths (hammam), and its numerous cultural
attractions and museums.

25. 7- unite scale (architecture)
City Identity, Environment Identity, Man-made Identity

26. Mubarak Ben Ahmed Sharaf-Aldin
the Statue of Mubarak Ben Ahmed Sharaf-Aldin (1169-1239) located at the main gateway
of the ancient Erbil Citadel. Sitting on the top of the hill and holding a book and facing
the Erbil Citadel traditional market.
Mubarak Ben Ahmed Sharaf-Aldin (1169-1239) known as Ibn Almustawfi, a historian and
a minister of Erbil in the era of Sultan Muzafardin, Ibn Alumustawfi was born in Erbil. He
has written in several areas, history, literature and language. His masterpiece is a four
volume books of (History of Erbil).
Statue

27. Kurdish culture is a group of distinctive cultural traits practiced by Kurdish people.
The Kurdish culture is a legacy from the various ancient peoples who shaped modern
Kurds and their society, but primarily Iranian.
Among their neighbours, the Kurdish culture is closest to Persian culture.
For example they celebrate Newroz as the new year day, which is celebrated on March
21.
It is the first day of the month of Xakelêwe in Kurdish calendar and the first day of
spring. Other peoples such as Yazidi , Assyrians, Armenians, Shabaks and Mandeans have
their own distinctive cultures.
A- socio - cultural
kurdish garb
City Identity, Environment Identity, Socio Identity

28. Lalish near Ain Sifni is the center of the persecuted Yazidi religion whose theology I will
not attempt to recount except to say it involves God turning the world over to seven
angels especially one named Melek Taus, the peacock angel. Maybe several hundred
thousand people are Yazidi (aka Ezidi) but estimates vary widely. Pilgrimages to Lalish
are a key Yazidi ritual.
Assyrian Christian Church,
Arbil, Iraqi Kurdistan
Siege of Erbil by the Ilkhanid Mongols in 1258-59
depicted in the Jami' al-tawarikh

29. B- socio - political
Consulates
The parliament of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region was
established in Erbil in 1970 after negotiations between the Iraqi
government and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) led by
Mustafa Barzani

30. The Kurdistan region's economy is dominated by the oil industry (with potential reserves of
around 45 billion barrels), by agriculture and tourism.
Due to relative peace in the region it has a more developed economy in comparison to
other parts of Iraq.
The KRG has signed exploration agreements with several other oil companies, including
Canada's Western Oil Sands and the UK's Sterling Energy and Gulf Keystone Petroleum.
The stability of the Kurdistan region has allowed it to achieve a higher level of development
than other regions in Iraq.
In 2004, the per capita income was 25% higher than in the rest of Iraq.
The KRG also has plans to build a media city in Arbil and free trade zones near the borders
of Turkey and Iran.
Since 2003, the stronger economy of Iraqi Kurdistan has attracted around 20,000 workers
from other parts of Iraq.
Iraqi Kurdistan currently has the lowest poverty rates in Iraq.
According to the KRG website, no coalition soldier has died nor any foreigner been
kidnapped since the 2003 invasion of Iraq in areas administered by the KRG.
c- socio - economic

31. References
1. "Erbil Citadel - UNESCO World Heritage Centre".
2. www.erbilcitadel.org
3. Citadel Documentation Project lfgm.fsv.cvut.cz
4. Research of the citadel at Arbil, Iraqi Kurdistan kar.zcu.cz
Thanks For Your Attention