Reconstruction in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region advancing rapidly, academic says at WUF13

Reconstruction efforts in Karabakh are progressing rapidly, but the key challenge lies in the institutional consolidation of results achieved on the ground, according to Alexandre Hedjazi, an academic speaking at the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

He said the restoration of Azerbaijan’s liberated territories requires the establishment of an effective multi-level governance system, noting that long-term success in rebuilding conflict-affected areas depends on strong institutional frameworks capable of sustaining development outcomes, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

He made it clear that effective reconstruction is not only a technical or infrastructural challenge, but the “deepest governance” issue involving how cities are rebuilt after disasters and maintained over time.

“We are talking about the deepest governance challenge of our time - how to rebuild cities after disasters and ensure that they remain sustainable in the long term,” Hedjazi added.

Hedjazi also pointed to the region’s complex natural and climatic conditions, including mountainous terrain, which he said require tailored approaches to urban planning and risk management.

He further emphasised that rebuilding efforts should extend beyond infrastructure development to include the active participation of local communities in the process.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov