faculty member at the College of Education for Human Sciences is writing an article about visual pollution in the city of Samarra.
Dr. Ali Shafiq Hamid, a faculty member in the Department of Geography at the College of Education for Human Sciences, University of Samarra, has written a scientific article entitled “Visual Pollution and Its Impact on the Residents of the City of Samarra,” addressing visual pollution as one of the most prominent urban environmental problems affecting both humans and the built environment.
The author explains that visual pollution is formed by distorted elements within the urban landscape that disrupt the aesthetic and functional balance of the environment. These elements include informal and non-harmonized buildings, exposed electrical wiring, generators scattered within residential neighborhoods, unregulated commercial advertisements, the accumulation of solid waste, and encroachments on sidewalks and public spaces. Such phenomena are considered a direct result of weak urban planning, the absence of effective municipal oversight, and a low level of environmental awareness among some members of society.
From a social perspective, the author notes that the distortion of the urban scene weakens residents’ sense of place attachment and reduces their pride in the city. It also leads to a decline in positive social interaction within public spaces, particularly in neighborhoods suffering from high levels of visual chaos and urban violations.
At the urban and economic levels, visual pollution is regarded as an indicator of deficiencies in urban planning. It negatively affects the aesthetic and economic value of the city and reduces its attractiveness for investment and tourism—especially in Samarra, which possesses significant historical and religious assets. Urban distortion also contributes to the loss of architectural identity and the erosion of the city’s urban character.
In light of these findings, the author emphasizes that addressing visual pollution requires a comprehensive planning vision that includes organizing the urban landscape, strengthening the supervisory role of municipal institutions, and raising community awareness about the importance of preserving the visual environment. This should be accompanied by the adoption of unified aesthetic standards for buildings, advertisements, electrical networks, and generators.
In conclusion, and in line with this vision, the author recommends employing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and modern technologies to analyze visual pollution and identify the most affected areas, thereby contributing to the improvement of urban quality of life and the preservation of Samarra’s urban identity.
