gensler plans sprawling forests on former military campsite in baghdad

gensler’s forested vision for baghdad

Baghdad Sustainable Forests, a masterplan by Gensler in partnership with Emkanat, proposes an ambitious transformation of a neglected site along the River Tigris into a vast urban forest and mixed-use district. Extending across ten million square meters on a former military campsite, the project aims to repair decades of environmental damage and set a precedent for large-scale ecological renewal in Iraq’s capital.

The design introduces a landscape framework of dense forests, parks, and water features that form the structural spine of the development. More than one million trees are planned to capture an estimated 22,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually, improving air quality and cooling the microclimate. A network of green corridors ties together public plazas, shaded pathways, and quiet garden spaces, encouraging walking, cycling, and e-scooter use while preserving the integrity of the site’s ecosystems.

images courtesy Gensler, Bucharest Studio

a series of villages along the Tigris river

Gensler’s plan organizes the district into a series of gateways and villages that integrate residential, commercial, and cultural functions. Anchoring the entrance, the Al Rasheed Gateway features a 260-meter (850-foot) hospitality and office tower, while the River Gateway restores access to the Tigris with promenades and gathering spaces. The National Pavilion, set within formal gardens, stands as a civic landmark at 110 meters (360 feet) high, symbolizing Baghdad’s renewal.

Specialized hubs such as the Science & Education Village, Tech & Innovation Village, and Creative Village support research, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange. Wellness-oriented clusters like the Vitality Village and Family Resort focus on recreation and health, embedding daily life within the landscape. These clusters are designed to grow with the city with a flexible framework for future development.

the proposal covers 10 million square meters on the former Al Rasheed military site

Environmental Repair for sustainable forests

Gensler’s Baghdad Sustainable Forests masterplan reflects Iraq’s 2023–2030 National Environmental Strategy, as it aims to restore degraded land and counter desertification. What was once a site filled with more than forty-five million tons of waste will become an active engine of ecological repair and public life. Forested belts and thematic groves — including areas dedicated to arts and culture, sports, wellness, and children’s play — create a varied sequence of experiences while reinforcing biodiversity.

For Gensler and Emkanat, the project carries a symbolic weight. By reclaiming a heavily polluted site and turning it into a living, publicly accessible landscape, the masterplan creates a new dialogue between Baghdad and the Tigris. Forest trails, shaded civic plazas, and community gardens lend a daily rhythm of use that links environmental health with the social life of the city.

Baghdad Sustainable Forests is designed to transform a neglected riverfront into an urban forest