Shusha emerges as model "smart city" with modern infrastructure, says UK urban expert PHOTO

Shusha, the historic city in Karabakh, is being hailed as one of the region’s most forward-looking urban centres, with innovations that may rival some European cities.

Speaking at Azerbaijan’s III National Urban Forum of Azerbaijan (NUFA3), Marcelina Zielinska, Chair of the Board at UK-based architecture firm Chapman Taylor, highlighted Shusha’s advanced planning and technology-driven approach, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

The city boasts a fully electric public transport system, an underground waste collection network, and a sophisticated recycling scheme with four types of containers, helping keep the streets clean and odour-free. Shusha is also designed as a “15-minute city,” encouraging walking and easy access to daily amenities.

Zielinska drew attention to the Shusha Card, which integrates transport, museum entry, and leisure facilities into a single system — a level of coordination she described as surpassing London’s. She praised the city’s green initiatives and emphasised that its success stems from careful planning and sustained investment in modern technologies.

“Shusha is not only smart — it is a city designed with intelligence and foresight. Every feature, from mobility to sustainability, reflects a thoughtful and strategic approach,” she added.

By Aghakazim Guliyev