gensler plans sprawling urban forests on former military campsite in baghdad

"Baghdad Sustainable Forests, a masterplan by Gensler in partnership with Emkanat, proposes an ambitious transformation of a neglected site along the River Tigris into a vast urban forest and mixed-use district. Extending across ten million square meters on a former military campsite, the project aims to repair decades of environmental damage and set a precedent for large-scale ecological renewal in Iraq's capital."

"The design introduces a landscape framework of dense forests, parks, and water features that form the structural spine of the development. More than one million trees are planned to capture an estimated 22,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually, improving air quality and cooling the microclimate. A network of green corridors ties together public plazas, shaded pathways, and quiet garden spaces, encouraging walking, cycling, and e-scooter use while preserving the integrity of the site's ecosystems."

"Gensler's plan organizes the district into a series of gateways and villages that integrate residential, commercial, and cultural functions. Anchoring the entrance, the Al Rasheed Gateway features a 260-meter (850-foot) hospitality and office tower, while the River Gateway restores access to the Tigris with promenades and gathering spaces. The National Pavilion, set within formal gardens, stands as a civic landmark at 110 meters (360 feet) high, symbolizing Baghdad's renewal."

Baghdad Sustainable Forests plans to convert ten million square meters of former military campsite along the River Tigris into an urban forest and mixed-use district. A landscape framework of dense forests, parks, and water features forms the structural spine. More than one million trees will capture about 22,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually, improving air quality and cooling the microclimate. Green corridors link plazas, shaded pathways, and garden spaces to prioritize walking, cycling, and e-scooter mobility. The district is organized into gateways and villages, including a 260-meter tower at Al Rasheed Gateway and a 110-meter National Pavilion, plus specialized hubs for research, innovation, culture, and wellness within a flexible growth framework.

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