Principal speaker
Mr Dhyaa Albayati
The impact of urban form on travel behaviour in Baghdad neighbourhoods affected by terrorism.
A range of factors affect travel behaviour in an urban environment; urban form and land use play a significant role in shaping individual travel behaviour. Travel behaviour can also be dramatically affected by terrorism and counter-terrorism measures. The destruction of transport infrastructure and measures to counter terrorism are the main factors affecting travel behaviour. In Baghdad, acts of terrorism particularly in crowded markets and institutions have changed daily activities, routes and transportation modes. Individuals have adopted defensive behaviours to protect themselves from terrorism. Many daily activities and trips that previously occurred at the district level, now take place within smaller more confined neighbourhoods. In spite of these observable behaviours, there are gaps in understanding the relationship between urban form, travel behaviour and terrorism. This presentation examines: 1) how travel behaviour was influenced by urban form in three terrorist-affected Baghdad neighbourhoods; and 2) how the responses to terrorism in these neighbourhoods affected travel behaviour.
Dhyaa Albayati is a PhD Candidate at Griffith University’s Urban Research Program. Dhyaa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a Master’s degree. Prior to commencing his PhD studies he worked as an urban planner for the Iraqi Ministry of Municipality’s Urban Planning Directorate in Kirkuk. He held several positions in this directorate including Urban Planner, Chief Planner, and Deputy Manager.