College of City and Regional Planning

BSc., Master and PhD Students from College of Spatial Planning’s study tour to Erbil
Dec. 18, 2021, 12:19 p.m.

As part of the learning process on topics of governance and governance of planning and to get familiar with Kurdistan Regional Government’s functions, programs, plans and reform efforts, Dr. Nesreen Barwari accompanied by assistant Lecturer Mrs. Hanan and Teaching Assistant Mr. Aland led a study tour to Erbil for the 4th year undergraduate, 1st year graduate and PhD students to Erbil the capital of Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The following offices and officials were visited and met:

  1. Mr. Zagros Swilli, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Planning
  2. Dr. Marywan Saber, Advisor and Mr. Sanaw Fraydon DG of Administration, KRG Council of Ministers
  3. Dr. Mohammed Shukri, Head of Board, Board of Investment
  4. Mr. Omed Xushnao, Governor of Erbil and Mr. Masoud Karrash, Deputy Governor for Technical Affairs
  5. Mr. Falah Mustafa, Senior Advisor to the President of KRI for Foreign Affairs

The visiting team who consisted of 28 persons presented summary of the history of the Department and components of its study program the skills developed, and consultancy services offered.

The faculty and the students raised the following issues and questions for discussions during the various meetings during the study tour.

As a Planning Ministry, what rule does it have in the government, and which sectors are prioritized in Kurdistan region? How does the KRG plans for sustainable development? What is the KRG policy on climate change? What plans are underway to put an urbanization policy or regulations for building better districts in our main cities and townships in the future? Most of the investment projects in housing are given to private sectors targeting middle and upper classes, what is the government plan for other social classes and on combating poverty?

At the Council of Ministers, the system of governance in KRG? How the decentralization process is implemented? How much power is given to the local governments? What reforms are underway to achieve good governance in Kurdistan? Regarding employment what is the KRG plan for increasing job opportunities for graduated students? Were among the issues discussed.

Board of Investment in Kurdistan shared their experiences and policies on how they decide their priorities project. How they plan to increase local products rather than foreign, increase agriculture and green area for future vision in Kurdistan. Also encouraging local industry.

Erbil Governorate gave a brief about their planning system and plans implementation together with their monitoring methods approaches. Students asked how Hawler is able to balance between modernity and history and tradition.

At the Presidency of the Region students asked how does the KRG invite international support? How has the KRG being able to attract such support? How to draw lessons from successful international experiences and hope the KRG is connecting with the external world. Finally, students asked for engaging graduates from Kurdistan universitas presenting the example of our department as planners are equipped with various skills that international and local agencies would need and benefit from