Urban Design and Monumental Influence: The Case Study of the Martyr Monument in Baghdad, Iraq

Volume 12 ,Issue 3 ,August 2026 ,Pages 189-204

Authors

Shava Shirwan Ibrahim Agha 1 ; Sarah Jaafer Sadik Mohammed 1 ; Sevar Saman Hasan Al Talabani 1

1 Department of Architecture , College of Engineering , University of Sulaimani , KR , Iraq

DOI logo 10.17656/sjes.10223

Keywords

Abstract

The Martyr Monument in Baghdad, Iraq, is a tribute to those who died in the Iraq-Iran War. But it represents much more than just memory; it assumes a strong character in the design of the city and the life of the people. The monument is not just a tribute to the past; it settled down in Baghdad’s landscape and guides the activities in the neighborhood as an iceberg afloat in traffic. This paper attempts to examine how the monument fits into Baghdad's design with regard to the identity of the community and the sense of place. Through conversations with residents, gathering opinions, and observing the surroundings, the study reveals the range of meanings attributed to the monument. For some, it is a place of memorialization or remembrance of the past; in contrast, for others, a symbol of struggle and pride. In exploring some of these varying viewpoints, we will show that the Martyr Monument is much more than a preservation of history in memory; it has become a live within Baghdad's social and cultural landscape. 

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