Concept

Master Plan Principles

The point of departure for any future development strategy for the City of Karbala must be able to correlate economic, social, cultural and environmental resources into a strategic plan.

Three main ideas guide the development of the new Overall Karbala Urban Plan.

1. Creating An Efficient City

• To optimize the distribution of densities and urban centers.

• To use appropriate typologies.

• To establish the necessary, sufficient, but not excessive distribution of services and public facilities.

• To Establish of synergies between phasing and investment opportunities.

• To Establish synergies between urban development and infrastructure organization.

2. Creating A Livable City

• To create a metropolitan network of multiple centers.

• To create a series of permeable environmental systems and establish a strategic deployment of green spaces on

• To establish an even and sufficient allocation of public services.

• To focus on neighborhoods and local scale and to create walk -able and pedestrian friendly environments.

• To cater to various income groups and market sectors - provide various housing types.

• To create work opportunities.

• To create A Balance between tradition and modernity

3. Developing a Flexible Master Plan on an urban level.

• To establish in the master plan flexibility in land use allocation and distribution of different typologies.

• To establish structural flexibility of the urban block.

• To allow for easy manipulation and adaptation of the master plan to unforeseen changes.

SWOT Analysis Diagrams - Strengths

Long coastal edge despite setback from the lake Razzaza (approximately 8 km of western section of the development is adjacent to Lake Razzaza) allowing for the possibility to tap into recreational, touristic, and areas of high value land use.

Connectivity to major road arterials arterials

Relatively flat, open and clear site away from the deteriorated condition and problems of the existing city.