Mapping Building Permits in Sulaymaniyah: A Pilot Project for the Sulaymaniyah Building Database

Academic Year: 2025–2026

Project Team

• Shagul Mahmud Shafiq –Project Supervisor
• Daban Abdullah Salam –Team Member
• Rezhwan Majid Hamid –Team Member
• Shagul Abubakr Ali –Team Member

Project Overview

The construction and urban development sector in Sulaymaniyah has experienced significant growth in recent years. However, the absence of a centralized and structured database of building permits has limited the ability of researchers, planners, and decision-makers to understand and analyze urban development patterns effectively.

This project aims to establish the foundation for a comprehensive digital Building Permit Database for Sulaymaniyah through a pilot study conducted in collaboration with the Municipality of Sulaymaniyah. The project focuses on collecting, organizing, and analyzing building permit records to support academic research, urban planning, and evidence-based policy development.

Objectives

1. Development of a Digital Database

Create a secure, standardized, and accessible digital database containing key information related to building permits issued in Sulaymaniyah.

2. Supporting Academic Research

Provide reliable local data that can be used by researchers, students, and academic institutions for studies related to architecture, urban planning, housing, and sustainable development.

3. Supporting Urban Planning and Policy Making

Generate analytical reports and recommendations that can assist the Municipality of Sulaymaniyah and the Kurdistan Regional Government in improving building regulations, zoning practices, and urban development strategies.

Project Partners

Primary Data Partner

Municipality of Sulaymaniyah – Directorate of Planning and Building Permits

Academic Implementing Partner

Kurdistan Institution for Strategic Studies and Scientific Research (KISSR)

Expected Data Fields

The project database is expected to include information such as:

• Permit number and date
• Building location and municipality zone
• Building type and use
• Plot area and building area
• Number of floors
• Ownership type
• Construction materials
• Permit status
• Engineering office information
• Green/open space percentage within the plot

Expected Beneficiaries

• Expected Beneficiaries

Municipality of Sulaymaniyah

A centralized digital database and analytical resource to support planning and decision-making processes.

Academic Institutions and Researchers

Access to reliable local data for research, teaching, and student projects.

Professional and Governmental Organizations

Evidence-based information that can support updates to building codes, professional standards, and urban development policies.

The Public and Private Sectors

Indirect benefits through improved planning, more efficient urban management, and enhanced building standards.

Current Status

Since the launch of the project, the research team has completed project planning, official documentation, stakeholder engagement, and coordination activities with the Municipality of Sulaymaniyah. Formal meetings have been held with municipal leadership, and a municipal representative has been assigned to coordinate with the project team.

The project is currently in the data acquisition phase and is awaiting access to the relevant building permit records required for the pilot study.

Long-Term Vision

The pilot project aims to establish the first structured Building Permit Database in Sulaymaniyah. If successful, the initiative can be expanded to cover additional years and geographical areas, creating a valuable resource for urban research, planning, and sustainable development throughout the city.