ABSTRACT
Najaf is a historic shrine city that is the third most important destination, after Makkah and Madinah, for millions of Shi‘a pilgrims each year. It suffers from insensitive redevelopment to accommodate these pilgrims, alongside problems associated with Iraq’s years of conflict and occupation. The paper examines these problems in the light of urban development and conservation, particularly that of shrine cities, and how a more holistic approach, particularly involving the city’s intangible cultural heritage, will help to work towards a more sustainable way of protecting the city and ensuring the survival of Najaf’s unique cultural heritage.
