The College of Engineering at the University of Samarra Highlights Contemporary Iraqi Architecture in an Awareness Seminar
The College of Engineering at the University of Samarra held an awareness seminar titled “Contemporary Iraqi Architecture,” organized in the Al-Mu’tasim Hall within the University of Samarra. The event aimed to combine heritage and modern urban design to enrich the national architectural scene. The seminar was attended by Professor Dr. Kamal Hussein Ahmed (Assistant President of the University for Scientific Affairs) and supervised by Associate Professor Dr. Amjad Saleh Mahmoud (Dean of the College).
The seminar opened with a lecture titled “An Approach to Urban Planning Data through the Experience of Old Baghdad,” delivered by Dr. Mowaffaq Al-Taie.
Dr. Samaan Majid Yass (Head of the Department of Architectural Engineering at the University of Diyala) presented another lecture on “The Impact of Social Media on Contemporary Architectural Practices: An Exploratory Study of Contemporary Iraqi Architectural Experiences.”
The seminar concluded with a lecture titled “The Autonomy of Architectural Style” by Dr. Ali Majid Hameed, a faculty member in the Department of Architectural Engineering at the University of Samarra.
The seminar focused on methods of blending Iraqi architectural heritage with modern techniques and highlighted the importance of drawing inspiration from local elements to strengthen national identity in modern architecture.
The speakers also discussed the role of advanced technologies and local materials in improving construction efficiency and emphasizing a sense of place. They provided real-world examples from architectural projects in Iraq that balance modernity with historical roots in urban development.
Additionally, the speakers addressed challenges faced by Iraqi architects and emphasized the significance of architecture as an integrated field of knowledge serving society through innovative and sustainable designs.
The seminar concluded with recommendations, including preserving Iraqi architectural identity by merging traditional elements with modern solutions that meet contemporary demands. The speakers also called for enhanced collaboration between academics and architects to foster innovation and research in sustainable architecture. They stressed the importance of launching national initiatives to restore heritage sites, which are integral to Iraq’s cultural identity, ensuring their documentation using scientific methods, and promoting investment in sustainable and smart architecture through governmental support and partnerships with the private sector.
