Director of the Baku State Project Institute on new General Plan of Azerbaijani capital

At what stage is the development of a new General Plan of Baku?

Now we are going to implement "Plan for Regional Development of Greater Baku", which includes the territory of Baku, Sumgait, Khirdalan and Absheron peninsula. The new plan identifies directions of development of the peninsula. This plan reflects the direction of development of this region, the need for industrial facilities, development planning and management of the planning. Implementation of World Bank-supported project "Plan for Regional Development of Greater Baku” will enable to control processes of development in Baku metropolis. Project implementation period is two years.
 
The materials on this project will serve as a basis for the General Plan and the Urban Cadastre of the capital. Project duration is up to 2020-2025 years. Moreover, we have begun to work on a project of the “Detailed plan of the central district of Baku” ordered by the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture. Typically, detailed planning is carried out after the General Plan is approved. But the current high rate of development of the capital does not allow us to wait for the approval of the General Plan.

Many people confuse the General Plan with regional development plan of the city...

The main task of the General Plan is to make the most efficient use of available land for the needs of the city. The General Plan is the main town-planning document, which governs planning and development of the city, industrial and functional areas, transportation and engineering, as well as the principles of environmental protection. Draft Regional Development Plan paves a way for a General Plan.

It should be noted that the area of modern Baku within the administrative boundaries is 213 hectares, while in fact Baku itself covers 22 thousand hectares, the detailed planning of the central area covers 1,200 hectares and built-up projects are carried out on the territories of 40-50 ha.

And what will be the fate of the settlements?

Mini-cities are planned to be built in the territory of Dubendi, Turkan and Zigh settlements. These areas have quite free, yet undeveloped areas, where you can create the necessary infrastructure for living and recreation. However, there will be less interference into development of Mardakan, Mashtaga, Pirshaga and Nardaran settlements. Preference will be given to the natural development of these settlements. Construction of buildings is possible, but not in large numbers. In the future these areas will be transformed into a resort town. 

Will downtown keep its appearance and it will also subject to changes, too?

As I said above, we are working to develop a detailed draft planning of central area of the city, including "Sovietskiy" and "Kubinka." New residential complexes, parks, etc. will be built in these areas. Old dilapidated houses will gradually be demolished. With regard to buildings located in the central part of the city, near the Heydar Aliyev Palace, these architectural buildings will be reconstructed but number of storeys will be conserved. Pedestrian zones will be expanded and the area will be landscaped.

Will industrial facilities and universities be moved outside the city?

Industrial facilities, that are located in the geographical center of Baku and occupy 30% of the town, covering the territory from the "Black City" to the Darnagul settlement, will be moved to Garadag area which already houses large industrial facilities. The liberated territory will accommodate youth sports complexes, residential neighborhoods, parks, etc. Modernization of this area will create new sites for urban development.
 
Similar measures can be taken with respect to universities. Many of our universities are located in the heart of the city on a very small area that creates movement problem both for students and transport in this zone. Educational towns should be located outside the city center. It will relieve the situation to a certain extent. Some universities may be moved, for example, to Dubendi or Turkan. Special projects are being prepared on these issues.
 
Many of our readers want to know about landscaping of the city. What kind of works is planned in this respect?

Green areas are expected to be expanded throughout Baku. Number of parks will be increased. There is no reason for concern.

And how will transport problems in Baku be solved?

Development of an integrated transport system is one of the important points in the General Plan. The current General Plan envisages number of vehicles per capita even more than today's actual figure. It is gratifying that construction of transport infrastructure in recent years --roads, bridges, traffic junctions -- has a positive effect on reducing congestion on the roads of the city. Overloading of roads, which took place in 2006-2007, has now relatively decreased.  


/Day.Az/