Building information modeling (BIM) has become a transformative force in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry, streamlining project coordination, reducing costs, and promoting sustainability. Governments worldwide are mandating BIM to enhance efficiency and digital transformation in public projects. However, a roadmap of national adoption requires clear regulations, standardized frameworks, and skilled professionals. This study critically examines policy frameworks, legal considerations, and workforce readiness, educational strategies, identifying key enablers and barriers to national BIM implementation. Utilising a qualitative methodology, the research reviews global BIM adoption models, educational strategies, and legal challenges that serve the BIM adoption in Kurdistan Region. Findings emphasize the importance of BIM maturity models, structured training programs, and data interoperability. Recommendations include developing national BIM standards, integrating digital permitting systems, and fostering public-private collaboration. The Kurdistan Region faces regulatory gaps that hinder BIM validation and industry-wide adoption. Addressing these challenges through the Kurdistan National BIM Standards, aligned with global benchmarks such as ISO 19650 and BSI PAS 1192, will drive digital transformation, enhance project efficiency, and position Kurdistan as a leader in digital construction.

This study examined the water discharge in Zakho's Khabour River between 2004 and 2023 in Chalke area. Water from the river is used for industry, agriculture, and homes. The aim of this research is to evaluate long-term discharge changes and pinpoint the primary climatic and anthropogenic factors (precipitation variability and human water use) influencing river flow. The data of the area were obtained from the Water Resources Department in Zakho, a reliable local source. Daily, monthly, and annual discharge and precipitation values are included in the data. A moving average analysis shows that periods of high and low discharge alternate over the long term, supported by Mann–Kendall and Sen’s slope trend tests. It was demonstrated, through statistical trend and correlation analysis, that increased water extraction for irrigation and urban growth over the past 20 years has likely resulted in a decrease in river discharge. Variations in river discharge are closely correlated with precipitation patterns in the area (r = 0.78). These findings provide insights for sustainable water management and policy planning in the Zakho city and are consistent with patterns reported in nearby semi-arid and Mediterranean river basins.

Building design codes (BDC) are used to control the construction industry in general and building design in particular. The BDC offers the construction sector with a standard language and set of requirements. There are several BDCs developed and utilized for construction purposes throughout the world. Certain design codes are employed in structural design to assure the structure’s health and safety, as well as its cost-effectiveness. It also assures that the structure is sufficiently sturdy to endure all potential climatic conditions, bear its intended load, and is integrated to ensure effective use of building materials and resources. This research aims to compare various building construction design codes to identify and explore the most appropriate standard in terms of safe design, economics, and availability of details. In Kurdistan and different parts of Iraq, many international companies have designed building structures with various codes during the past 20 years. This is a bad condition since the government has no control over the construction of the buildings, which includes both the code and the building materials. There is currently no overview of the design codes in use in Kurdistan, nor is it clear whether they are congruent with what students' study in institutions.