Azerbaijan’s post conflict reconstruction model presented at WUF13

The Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) organized an international panel titled “Revival and Urbicide: Sustainable Urban Development and Resilient Communities” within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).

The panel brought together government officials, experts, ambassadors accredited to Azerbaijan, specialists from leading international universities and companies, as well as representatives of local and foreign media.

The discussions served as an important platform for examining urbicide, post conflict urban recovery, and Azerbaijan’s reconstruction experience at the international level. By making a significant thematic contribution to the WUF13 agenda, the panel created favorable conditions for a multidisciplinary discussion of contemporary urban development challenges.

Moderated by AIR Center Chairman Farid Shafiyev, the panel emphasized the importance of achieving broader recognition of the concept of urbicide within the contexts of international law and security.

Shafiyev described urbicide as the deliberate destruction of cities and residential areas during wartime, the erasure of their socio cultural identity, and the elimination of opportunities for displaced populations to return. He noted that while the concept was initially studied within urban planning, subsequent research, particularly in the context of the Balkan wars, the siege of Sarajevo, as well as the cases of Mariupol and Aleppo, examined it as a key element of armed conflicts.

According to Shafiyev, the urbicide that occurred in Karabakh differed from other examples because it was carried out systematically after military operations had ended. He stressed that the objective was not only the destruction of cities but also preventing the return of the Azerbaijani population and erasing the region’s cultural memory and historical identity.

Speaking at the event, Vahid Hajiyev, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the districts of Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan, said the transformation taking place in these territories today reflects a much broader vision. Areas once associated with destruction are now becoming centers of innovation, sustainable development, resilience and regional cooperation.

“Azerbaijan’s experience demonstrates that when post conflict recovery and reconstruction efforts are based on long term planning, strong political will and sustainable development principles, such regions can become important hubs of growth, regional connectivity and peace,” Hajiyev said.

Dean Sharp, a visiting researcher in geography and environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science, noted that the concept of urbicide is becoming increasingly relevant amid the growing number of conflicts and the destruction of urban environments around the world.

According to him, urbicide is closely linked to broader categories of violence, including genocide and ecocide, and refers to the deliberate destruction of urban environments during armed conflict. He added that the fragmentation of urban spaces caused by conflicts often leads to long term social inequalities and stressed that sustainable urban development should focus not only on infrastructure but also on rebuilding communities.

Ramil Jahangirov, Head of Department at the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, stated that reconstruction projects in the liberated territories cover eight cities and more than 100 villages.

He noted that the geographical scale of the reconstruction areas is comparable to the territory of a country such as Lebanon.

“We have prepared a Master Plan that serves as a strategic roadmap for the development of these territories. This document establishes a unified framework for all future processes,” Jahangirov said.

Haris Piplas, Director for Integrated Urban Solutions at Drees & Sommer, highlighted that interdisciplinary approaches are essential for successful urban development in complex transformation environments. He described the integration of digital and green technologies into post conflict cities as one of the key directions for the future.

Piplas emphasized that urban infrastructure renewal should be viewed as a unified process combining conceptual solutions, institutional coordination and practical implementation capacities. He also noted that modern projects require multidisciplinary cooperation involving experts in energy, transport, climate and urban sociology.

Alexander Hejazi, Senior Lecturer at the University of Geneva, underlined the importance of integrated planning. He said that planning cities from scratch in post conflict areas creates a unique opportunity for the implementation of new technologies and sustainability principles.

“Karabakh has the potential to become a model of an integrated reconstruction approach based on global standards,” Hejazi said.

A specialist in cultural heritage strategy and cultural tourism stressed the strategic importance of preserving cultural identity in urban recovery efforts. The expert noted that restoring destroyed cultural heritage is not only about safeguarding historical memory but also about rebuilding social cohesion. Sustainable tourism, the specialist added, can serve as an important driver of economic and cultural development in post conflict regions.