Baghdad Municipality Unveils Plan to Organize Popular Markets, Remove Sidewalk Encroachments

Baghdad Municipality announced on Wednesday a comprehensive plan aimed at regulating popular markets and commercial establishments within the capital. The Municipality affirmed its categorical rejection of any fixed structures erected on sidewalks. The spokesperson for the Municipality, Uday Al-Jandil, explained in a press statement that "Baghdad Municipality continues its efforts to organize popular markets and commercial establishments, with a focus on stall owners and markets within Baghdad." He added that "several markets in the capital have been completely removed, and development and rehabilitation works are currently ongoing." Al-Jandil stated that "Muridi Market, considered one of the old markets pre-2003, has been entirely removed, and the main street is now undergoing development and rehabilitation works in preparation for its opening to vehicle traffic." He noted that "many other markets within Baghdad have also been completely removed." He indicated that "alternatives have been found for some areas; in Muridi Market and some markets in Sadr City, a complete model market will be established behind the dam, specifically behind the end of Al-Dakhel Street." He clarified that "this market will serve as an alternative for stall owners whose locations were removed in Sadr City markets." He added that "560 model shops will provide an alternative for the removed stalls." In other areas, stall owners will be organized by providing unified mobile stalls, on the condition that they do not exploit the entire sidewalk and ensure sufficient space is left for pedestrian movement. Al-Jandil revealed that "Al-Shurta Market has been removed and is currently undergoing intensive development and rehabilitation works, to become a model street after its clearance from stall owners." He stressed that "Baghdad Municipality is committed to finding permanent solutions for stall owners and reopening the streets that were exploited and closed by them." Al-Jandil reiterated that "the Municipality categorically rejects any fixed structures on sidewalks, yet at the same time, it does not target low-income individuals who rely on mobile carts." He explained that "these measures represent Baghdad Municipality's comprehensive plan to regulate mobile stall owners within the capital." He concluded by pointing out "the necessity of removing any fixed stall on the sidewalk and fully utilizing sidewalks, because the sidewalk is public property for everyone and not exclusively for an individual."