The rapid expansion of Sulaymaniyah city, encroachment on public property, and the resulting shortage of essential services were discussed in a focus group organized by the Vision Foundation.

The focus group was held on July 30, 2026, serving as the starting point for strategic research and a policy paper by the Vision Foundation regarding the expansion of Sulaymaniyah city and plans to prevent and find solutions for encroachments on public property.

At the beginning of the focus group, Dr. Didar Abdulkarim, Head of the Research Department at the Vision Foundation for Strategic Studies, delivered a seminar highlighting the current challenges facing the expansion of Sulaymaniyah—ranging from land encroachments to the decline of public services, as well as the pressures this expansion places on the city's water, food, services, and economy.

It was emphasized that the expansion of Sulaymaniyah must be guided by a master plan, focusing not on halting the city's growth, but on managing it effectively. The discussion also stressed the need to reform and fairly enforce laws.

The Vision Foundation has prepared a roadmap concerning the haphazard growth of Sulaymaniyah. In collaboration with officials, experts, and specialists, the foundation aims to develop a policy paper that will serve as a practical guide for Sulaymaniyah's officials to implement, while ensuring that the city's residents benefit from the outcomes without being harmed.