This thesis explores how colonial and post-colonial influences have shaped the urban development and architectural identity of Erbil from 1900 to the present. While the Erbil Citadel has represented the historical core of the city, the 20th and 21st centuries marked a shift toward large-scale spatial expansion and architectural transformation. The research focuses on five key periods: the traditional city, the British Mandate period, the Kingdom of Iraq, the Ba’athist regime and the post-2003 modernization era. Each period brought different external powers, policies and planning ideologies that left a lasting impact on Erbils built environment.
Through historical mapping, spatial analysis on the case study of Erbil, the thesis identifies patterns in the way urban form and architecture evolved over time. The study highlights a relationship between urban expansion and architectural change, showing how new planning models allowed the introduction of different building styles and materials. It also examines how local architectural traditions fade away in response to these changes.
By outlining the shifts in both city planning and building culture, this research offers an understanding of how external forces and local adaptation have shaped the current identity of Erbil. This way the thesis provides insights into the complex relationship between politics, planning and architecture in Erbil.