Soccer Mania Helps Rebuild Iraq

By: Maryam Eskandari

Despite the military withdrawals directed from President Obama, many American firms continue to remain in Iraq to help rebuild and reunite the country under one common ambition: soccer. Of which, the American firm, 360 Architecture, along with the country’s Anwar Soura General Contracting Company are one of the many who are reshaping the country. The design-build team has been awarded one of the many new infrastructures that are being erected: two brand new stadiums in the city of Najaf and Basra are under construction; along with the $500 million “Sports City” developed by the government of Iraq as a master plan to reconstruct the country.

The first phase of the project located in the 360-acre site is a 65,000 seat stadium along with a 10,000 seat practice facility accommodating FIFA and Olympic, track and field, standards. Nevertheless this initial project will house four training facilities, a fire station with its own helipad along with housing units for the athletes are just the primary amenities, all of which are currently under construction and set forth to open late 2012.

Sports city primary focus is to allow for a singular athletic training facility for Iraqi athletes to united and compete in various international sports. On the other hand, the spirit and the energy thriving behind this new Sport City are the two new soccer stadiums. The first stadium is to be constructed in Al-Menaa, the suburb in southern city of Basra and the other right in the heart of the holy city of Najaf, 100 miles south of Baghdad.

The first stadium is estimated at $86 million, is being built in the Al-Menna community. The unique exterior design will feature various intimate and pedestrian-friendly parks connecting the community and the commercial sports complex. Reflecting back on Basra’s rich traditional nautical city, the stadium is surrounding by a moat, defining its own distinct identity, setting it apart from the other sport complexes located south of Basra. The 30,000 seat stadium will be designed by Kansas City based architecture firm 360Architecture along with Anwar Soura as the general contractor. The stadium is to be ready for the Gulf Cup in October of 2013.

Nevertheless, the stadium that is being designed in Najaf, has been inspired by the sacred Imam Ali mosque, located in the heart of the city. The simple square façade, is adorned with latticework complimenting the holy mosque and is surrounding by a moat, thus creating a comfortable micro-climate. In parallel, another vital feature of the stadium is the integration of sustainable architecture, the use of passive cooling towers, all along the perimeter of the stadium, in order to accommodate both the interior and exterior as soccer fans circulate the stadium. The completion of the Najaf stadium is to be determined.

The next of the 360-acre project is to include, three smaller stadiums, an Olympic size natatorium, tennis courts, along with various Olympic training facilities, shops, housing and garden parks to accommodate for outdoor activities. The mixed-use project is set to be the largest complex of its kind ever built in Iraq.

With amazing projects in the works, Iraq’s future looks bright.