Today, the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, and UNESCO are planning to preserve the crumbling fortress, which is believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited human settlements in the world.

A master plan envisages a visitor-friendly area complete with hotels, restaurants, museums and galleries. Kurdish officials believe that the preservation will drive archaeological tourism in Erbil, which is keen to attract investors. (See story: Erbil Eyes Archaeological Tourism)

To help preserve the site, the KRG gave 840 families living in the citadel land and money to relocate. The families, many of whom were squatters, agreed to move in 2007 but complain that their new neighbourhood lacks jobs, services and medical care. (See story: Ex-Erbil Citadel Residents Bemoan Relocation)