Place attachmentin the informal settlements of Baghdad: Case study in the Sadr city

Informal housing overlaps with the most significant housing crisis in Iraq as most Iraqi cities suffer from the growth and emergence of random slums, which emerged after World War 1, the establishment of the state in 1991, and the 2003 US attack. This study focuses on the city of Baghdad, which faces many urban problems due to its large size and expansion compared to other Iraqi cities. This thesis attempts to capture informality's subjective, human side to explore the place attachment process within the context of the Sadr City Slums of Baghdad, which is considered one of the most impoverished neighborhoods, with informal housing built on piles of trash and raw sewage flowing through the streets. Still, few studies have been conducted there, even though this district contains over half of Baghdad's population, with the most significant number of slums (Kathem, M. 2020). The thesis depends on considering the theoretical and practical context to understand the processes and practices of the individuals concerning 'place-attachment,' which contributes to the making of place identity in sector thirteen in the Sadr City district in Baghdad. Furthermore, this thesis is based on qualitative research conducted with a sample of a number of semi-structured interviews, and other sources such as Baghdad Planning Municipality's reports, policy documents, public opinion, and media reports concerning the human side of expressing place attachment using images, narratives, and housing conditions. Keywords: Place-attachment, Slum dwellers, Informality, Baghdad, Al Sadr City