Mosul Rising : Local Leadership and Urban Recovery in a Post-Conflict City

Mosul, once the epicentre of conflict and mass displacement, is now becoming a story of ambitious recovery. When East Mosul was liberated in January 2017, followed by West Mosul in July 2017, the city was left devastated: monuments destroyed, homes and public buildings demolished, and essential infrastructure heavily damaged. The Old City suffered particularly severe destruction, with an estimated 5,000 buildings lost and more than 1,200 commercial properties affected. Alongside this devastation, restoring the historic urban fabric and reviving daily life for residents has become a central priority. Significant efforts are now underway to rebuild housing, repair infrastructure, restore services, and strengthen the foundations of urban resilience. This 60-minute session will provide an overview of Mosul’s progress, focusing on neighborhoods where displaced families are returning and on how inclusive, area-based, and locally anchored planning is shaping durable solutions.