On July 10, 2025, the Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS), hosted a roundtable discussion entitled “Urban Expansion, Economic Development, and the Job Market: Current Policies, Challenges, and Future Opportunities in Mosul”. The event brought together local experts, activists and researchers to assess the urgent challenges facing Mosul's economy and in order to explore potential strategies for sustainable recovery.
This roundtable examined the impact of infrastructure and urban expansion on economic development and the job market in Mosul, the provincial capital of Nineveh. It explored the local government’s post-ISIS policies and planning strategies related to urban and industrial growth, analyzing the rationale behind these initiatives and their alignment with key economic development goals, such as stimulating local investment and generating employment opportunities. Participants had also discussed the socio-political challenges that have emerged in response to the local government’s urban expansion plans. The session concluded with a discussion on practical and realistic strategies to enhance urban planning in ways that effectively support economic growth and employment, while also safeguarding socio-political stability in Mosul.
