The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) began its project of renovating the unique Shanasheel buildings in the oil-rich Basra.

"The revival program of the ancient cities of Mosul and Basra is an important project carried out by UNESCO and founded by the European Union in cooperation with the Iraqi government," UNESCO representative in Basra Qusay Shabqawi told Rudaw.

Shabqawi added that "UNESCO has launched this project in partnership with the European Union, which a while ago started in Mosul and renovated al-Nuri mosque, al-Tahira church, and other monuments."

The project includes the renovation of 12 traditional homes while nine others are set to be redesigned.

Shanasheel, also known as Mashrabiya, is one of the unique architectures used in old buildings and palaces in Basra, Baghdad, and some other Iraqi cities. It allows inhabitants to see outside without being seen and it dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries. 

Mashrabiya is a type of carving created with wood lined with colored glass. When lights are turned on inside the traditional houses at night, a patch of green, orange, red, and blue light is cast from the stained glass windows onto the street.