Housing Unit Segmentation: Causes and Impacts – The City of Hit as a Case Study

Abstract

The housing problem has long been, and continues to be, one of the most challenging issues faced by Iraqi cities, including the area under study. This issue is often accompanied by rapid population growth, which in turn leads to several related problems, most notably the phenomenon of residential division or the subdivision of housing units. This phenomenon has become a major challenge due to the population growth, which effects the efficiency of public services, whether related to infrastructure or community facilities. Hence, it is essential to shed light on the causes that have led to this phenomenon and suggest appropriate solutions via building residential complexes at competitive prices, whether by public or private housing companies.  In addition,  it is essential to distribute residential plots to eligible citizens by the state. Such measures could contribute to reducing land prices within the private sector. The study aims to examine the unplanned expansion of residential land use resulting from population growth, assess the current housing situation , and determine the extent of the city’s need for additional residential capacity through identifying the social, economic, administrative, or political causes behind the spread of the subdivision phenomenon so as to highlight its importance, and propose suitable solutions. The research relies on fieldwork for data collection, including going to relevant government departments and the use of questionnaire surveys. The study concluded that there is a clear deficiency in the level and efficiency of public services — such as education, health, drinking water sanitation, electricity, and waste management—primarily due to the increase in the number of subdivided housing units.