Ain Al Iraq is a Masterplan for a New Town development at Mosul in Nineveh Province, northern Iraq. The 1,114 ha site measuring some 5.8km from north to south and 3km from east to west is located alongside the N1 highway from Baghdad, on the southwest edge of Mosul, 6km from the Tigris River and the international airport. A major feature of the masterplan is the mapping of the hydrology and the subsequent protection and greening of the wadis that are deeply incised into the topography and connect to the Tigris River to the east. Ecology and biodiversity are paramount considerations in the plan. Landscape is employed to link recreation areas and to create a network of shaded routes to allow pedestrians to move freely about the township. The objective is to create a masterplan that is pedestrian friendly and to foster the sense of community by providing opportunities for encounters on the journey to school, market or to worship. The Masterplan accommodates 16,196 dwellings with a mix of detached and terraced housing and medium rise apartment, together with kindergartens, nursery schools, primary, intermediate and secondary schools; and community infrastructure such as markets, shopping centres, post offices, places of worship, police and fire station, and administrative buildings for a projected residential population of approximately 110,000 persons. The housing draws upon vernacular models. The traditional northern Iraq dwelling is surrounded by a high protective wall and is inward looking. There are two reasons for this – firstly it is climatically sensible to look inwards to a shaded courtyard and to exclude direct sunlight. Secondly it accommodates the privacy accorded to the family in an Islamic society.