A critical examination of current planning practices in post-conflict housing reconstruction in Iraq

Purpose Post-conflict housing reconstruction is complex, requiring careful planning to meet displaced population’s needs. However, the urgency for reconstruction often leads to failings, because of lack of appropriate planning practices. To address this gap, the purpose of this paper is to examine planning practices implemented by international aid agencies in post-conflict countries, to reveal current shortcomings and challenges. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with expert practitioners from key stakeholder involved in the planning stages of housing reconstruction in Iraq. The practitioners include AEC specialists, UN-led policymakers and senior representatives from INGOs, donors and researchers. Findings Post-conflict housing reconstruction often relies on standardised planning yet faces challenges from time constraints and complex conditions. This study identifies poor stakeholder engagement, limited communication and weak social-cultural integration as key factors behind ineffective, misaligned projects. In Iraq, donor constraints, limited local cooperation and lack of context-specific assessments hinder outcomes. The findings of this study highlight the need for context-sensitive, community-driven approaches to improve information dissemination, stakeholder engagement and resource allocation. Research limitations/implications The findings were collected from limited sample of reconstruction experts in Iraq, and challenges in other regions may vary. Thus, the research findings may not be applicable to other conflict-affected settings but provide valuable insights for similar post-conflict settings. Originality/value This study contributes to knowledge by examining the current planning practices of housing reconstruction in Iraq, addressing gaps in the literature. This study advances understanding within the domain of planning post-conflict reconstruction by recommending improvements in contextual assessment, information management and stakeholder engagement.