Terminants of Agricultural Land Conversion to Urban Housing in Iraqi Cities

Abstract

      In recent decades, Iraq has witnessed rapid urban expansion that has directly affected the spatial structure of its cities. The phenomenon of converting agricultural lands into residential uses has intensified due to multiple factors with economic, social, legislative, and administrative dimensions. This study aims to analyze the main factors influencing this conversion, focusing on population pressures, increased housing demand, weak enforcement of agricultural land protection regulations, and the economic benefits gained by landowners from converting their lands into residential units. The study also highlights the implications of this phenomenon on food security, the sustainability of natural resources, and the environmental balance within Iraqi cities. The research adopts an analytical-descriptive approach supported by statistical data and field studies to determine the interaction among these factors and their relative weight in driving the conversion process. The study concludes that urban sprawl over agricultural lands in Iraqi cities represents a strategic challenge requiring integrated urban and agricultural policies to curb its escalation and ensure sustainable urban and agricultural development.