Transformed Military Camps

An urban sustainable forest development will redefine a former military camp in Baghdad through a new masterplan created by Gensler in partnership with Emkanat. Spanning more than "10 million square meters, the project will transform long-neglected land—previously the Al-Rasheed military site, once burdened with over 45 million tons of waste—into a regenerated ecological district centered on large-scale reforestation and low-impact urban growth."

A key environmental component of the masterplan is the planting of more than one million trees, establishing an expansive urban forest capable of "sequestering an estimated 22,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually." This reforestation strategy is designed to improve air quality, restore biodiversity, and create a cooler and more comfortable microclimate for surrounding communities.

Integrated mixed-use and residential areas will be planned around the forest, while sustainable mobility—walking, cycling, and e-scooters—will be prioritized through an extensive micromobility network. Collectively, the project represents a landmark example of ecological restoration and climate-conscious urban redevelopment in Iraq.

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