The Impacts of Building Contraventions and Informal Residential Land Subdivision on the Quality of Life in Baghdad

Building contraventions and illegal subdivision of residential land are common phenomena in developing countries. These practices have major implications for the urban quality of life and place an enormous strain on urban services. The main purpose of the paper is to identify and discuss the impacts of building contraventions and informal land subdivision on the Quality of Life (QOL) within the context of the Al ‘Utayfiyah area, located in the Al Karkh district of Baghdad, Iraq. A mixed methods approach involving a questionnaire and interview surveys and field observations was adopted to obtain the necessary data. Results indicate that building contraventions and informal land subdivision have significantly diminished the QOL in the study area. Specifically, it was found that the public utility networks are in poor conditions. Furthermore, these illegal activities have reduced open and public spaces and have put excessive pressure on urban infrastructure, resulting in an unhealthy and aesthetically unappealing urban environment. The paper concludes with some policy recommendations for improving regulation enforcement and building control in Baghdad.