Zakho University

Project Description

To meet the growing demand for high quality education, Kurdistan Regional Government took an ambitious initiative to develop and expand the existing Universities of Zakho and Raparin (Ranya), Kurdistan. The objective
of this reform was to upgrade the two educational institutions to become nationally and internationally recognized.

On a land area of 1,270,040 m2, and with an internal road of length 7,230 km, the project includes the following existing and potentially proposed educational facilities:

Theoretical Zone: Faculty of Education, Faculty of Economics & Law and Faculty of Administration.

Engineering Zone: Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Information Technology.

Medical Zone: Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Assistance and Faculty of Dentistry, in addition to an educational hospital.

Central Service Zone: research center, cultural center, library, conference hall (sky dome), medical center services, general registration office, university bank, police station & civil defense center, fuel station, mosque, minimarkets and services.

Accommodation Zone: male/ female dormitories and staff accommodation.

Sports Zone: international football field, tennis court, indoor swimming pool, sports facilities and multi-use playgrounds.

Existing Zone: Faculty of Science, Faculty of Humanity, Faculty of Commerce, Faculty of Applied Science, Zoology lab, research center, theater & auditorium, university presidency building, student affairs center,
indoor sports hall, green houses, chemical storage, main storage and two (2) water treatment facilities for proposed buildings and future extension.

The design of the university serves to integrate the new buildings with the existing ones and allows future extension to the spaces and buildings. The design provides enhanced circulation around the campus and around the university’s built form. It provides minimal intersections with vehicular paths, allowing for minimal interruption along the walking paths. It also includes 8,100 asphaltic internal roads with 15 m carriageway width.

The landscape design for the University is strongly influenced by the Kurdish style. The perimeter of the site, the open space, the entries, the faculties and other architectural features in prime locations convey the community character in both building style and landscape treatment. Other areas within the campus are influenced by the character of the region.