VOICED:The fight to save Baghdad's historic buildings

The video discusses the challenges of preserving historic buildings in Baghdad, highlighting a successful intervention by the Antiquity Bureau to save a building from demolition. However, such successes are rare due to the chaotic environment, which some landowners exploit to demolish protected buildings illegally. The Heritage Bureau faces threats and struggles with limited resources, as property owners often seek to renovate or sell at high market prices, conflicting with preservation laws.

What was the initial plan for the historic building in Baghdad's city center?

• To renovate it into a hotel

• To demolish it for land reuse

• To convert it into a museum

• To preserve it as a cultural site

What role did the Heritage and Antiquity Bureau play in the preservation of the building?

• They stepped in to save and restore it

• They converted it into a public library

• They funded the renovation

• They sold it to a private owner

What illegal activities are some landowners in Baghdad engaging in to remove protected buildings?

• Falsifying ownership documents

• Staging fires or terrorist attacks

• Bribing government officials

• Selling them to foreign investors

What is the legal consequence for destroying protected buildings in Baghdad?

• A fine of up to $1 million

• Community service for 5 years

• Imprisonment for up to 10 years

• Revocation of property rights

What financial challenge does the Heritage Bureau face in preserving historic buildings?

• Lack of skilled labor

• Insufficient annual budget

• High cost of modern materials

• Limited public interest