Youth leaders unite in Baku to shape future of urban sustainability PHOTO

On December 6, 2024, Baku launched the International Youth Forum "UrbanVisions," organized by the National Council of Youth Organizations (NAYORA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sport. 

This forum, part of a grant competition by the Ministry to support youth organizations' activities in 2024, brings together 70 young people from 11 countries, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

The event focuses on fostering sustainable urban development and creating humane, environmentally conscious cities.

Public officials at the forum included Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gaibov, Deputy Chairman of the Territorial Development and Urban Planning Department Shahnaz Badalova, Acting Executive Director of the Youth Foundation Gadir Khalilov, Chairman of NAYORA Rafael Hajibeyli, and General Director of ARPO Urban Architects Nikolay Novikov.

The forum took place against the backdrop of Baku’s role as a key platform for international cooperation and discussions on urban planning. Participants were encouraged to address the main priorities of urbanization, such as environmental sustainability, social inclusiveness, and technological innovation. The goal was to share knowledge and ideas that could be implemented in various countries.

Notably, the forum highlighted the social responsibility involved in urban planning, stressing the importance of applying ecological and human-centred approaches for future generations. The event was an opportunity to enhance the creative thinking of young people and ensure their active participation in shaping urban spaces.

The forum had two phases: an online phase, where participants watched expert videos on sustainable urban development and participated in practical training sessions, and an offline stage, where six teams worked on projects for two areas in Baku selected by the State Committee for Urban Planning. These projects will be reviewed by a jury, with the best two submitted for further design consideration.

In addition to the hands-on work, panel discussions featured experts from various architectural firms, including MANARCH, "Sreda", Urban Reforms (Russia), and Addcompany (Kyrgyzstan). The forum will continue until December 8, 2024.

By Tamilla Hasanova