Shahnaz Badalova: Urban development should meet social and environmental needs

Baku is a rapidly growing metropolis, and today's urban development must meet not only infrastructural requirements but also social and environmental needs, Shahnaz Badalova, Deputy Head of the Urban Development and Territorial Planning Department of the State Committee for Urban Development and Architecture, said at WUF13 in Baku, Report informs.

She stated that creating accessible public spaces, reducing traffic congestion, and improving environmental quality are directly linked to urban well-being.

She noted that Ganja's master plan reflects sustainable development principles, including the development of green corridors, the rehabilitation of industrial and environmentally damaged areas, and the improvement of public spaces.

The city has also joined the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's Green City Action Plan.

The expert emphasized that psychological well-being is becoming part of urban policy and that modern urban development should focus not only on physical development but also on quality of life.