Iraq’s Ministry of Construction and Housing has unveiled plans to build 20 new residential cities in and around the capital to ease congestion and address a deepening housing shortage.
According to ministry spokesman Nabil Al-Saffar, studies are underway to identify and allocate sufficient land within Baghdad province for these new satellite cities. The ministry is also advancing plans to establish a new administrative capital in Baghdad, modeled on Egypt’s New Administrative Capital.
Officials reported earlier this year that bids have been received from four Egyptian companies along with other international developers for the project. One such initiative, Al-Rafeel City, will cover 265 square kilometers, accommodate more than 75,000 residents, and include housing, government offices, and a range of commercial, educational, healthcare, and recreational facilities.
Last year, Egypt’s ORA Developers secured the main contract for another mega residential project — Ali Al-Wardi City in southeastern Baghdad. Ali Al-Wardi is among roughly 10 contracts awarded in the past three years for new city developments that could collectively house over two million people.
A 2024 study by the Ministry of Planning estimated that Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest oil producer, needs to construct at least three million homes within five years to close the housing gap.
Source: Zawya Projects
