Preservation of Heritage Buildings in Baghdad Al-Mustansirya School as a model

Heritage buildings are among the important structures in the city, representing a crucial part of the cultural heritage of the community. This study aims to identify one of the most significant heritage landmarks in Baghdad, specifically in the eastern side of the Rusafa area. Baghdad has been a city of considerable heritage and architectural importance since its establishment in 145 AH. It is the center where the features of Arab Islamic civilization crystallized and solidified; however, it has undergone changes and damages that have affected the urban fabric, particularly its old buildings.
The study focuses on one of the prominent architectural landmarks, the Mustansiriya School, which is a heritage building and an important part of Baghdad’s cultural legacy. Established as an educational institution alongside the Tigris River during the Abbasid era in 630 AH, it is one of the oldest Arab universities offering a variety of sciences. However, it has suffered from neglect and deterioration in some areas due to a lack of maintenance, as well as the impact of natural and human factors, in addition to changes in land use around it.
Consequently, several proposals have been put forward by the researcher to preserve, sustain, and rehabilitate the building. A field study of this structure was conducted, revealing that it possesses a unique architectural style suitable for a tourism investment project and a cultural, artistic, and historical museum that showcases the beautiful eras of Baghdad, provided it is restored and rehabilitated.
The study also highlighted the major problems faced by the building, particularly damages to the walls, ceilings, decorations, and floors, and explored the potential for revitalizing the old urban fabric and preserving this important heritage building.