Look who is interfering with the general plan of Baku, ... the mafia?

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, on a diplomatic visit to Azerbaijan, took a tour through the General Plan of Fuzuli, a city in the region. However, amidst this display of urban planning, the attention has shifted to the elusive master plan of Azerbaijan's capital, Baku.

While the master plans for the newly liberated cities of Aghdam, Kalbajar, Shusha, Jabrayil, and Lachin have been prepared and presented to the Azerbaijani President, the same cannot be said for the much-anticipated master plan of Baku. Reports suggest that despite claims of years of preparation, the comprehensive blueprint for the city's future development remains conspicuously absent.

The process for the Baku Master Plan commenced in 2018, following a conventional two-step procedure based on international practices. The initial stage involved conceptualizing the capital's development, supported by the expertise of the "Boston Consulting Group" (BCG), a renowned international strategic consultancy. Subsequently, a project proposal was formulated and opened for international bidding. German urban planning and architectural firm "as+P" secured the bid and was entrusted with the monumental task.

In a turn of events, the German company did present a master plan in 2020. However, its adoption hit a roadblock, leaving the city's development trajectory uncertain. Notably, the last comprehensive master plan for Baku dates back to 1986, projecting developments until 2005. With nearly two decades having passed without a new strategic roadmap, the city has grown and evolved in the absence of clear, overarching guidelines.

Turan, a local news outlet, reported that the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture indicated the readiness of Baku's master plan. The committee's statement assured that additional information would be shared with the public once the document receives official approval. Regrettably, attempts to engage with "as+P" for insights into the matter proved unfruitful.

A sense of urgency permeates discussions surrounding the master plan's preparation and adoption. MP Fazil Mustafa emphasized that this long-pending document should have been in place three decades ago to guide the city's construction endeavors in alignment with a cohesive vision. Mustafa voiced concerns that the historical lack of such a plan has led to haphazard development, suggesting that its sudden introduction might entail significant demolition and reconstruction, a prospect that raises complexities.

Mustafa further highlighted that the plan's significance goes beyond its mere existence; concerted efforts are required to preserve Baku's architectural heritage. The absence of a master plan has contributed to chaos and traffic congestion, underlining the need for comprehensive urban planning as an avenue to alleviate these issues.

Architect Elchin Aliyev echoed Mustafa's sentiments, expressing skepticism about the master plan's successful implementation. In an interview with Radio Azadlig, Aliyev attributed this skepticism to the influence of what he termed the "construction mafia," asserting that vested interests might hinder adherence to the plan's guidelines. He elucidated that a master plan outlines vital aspects of a city's evolution, from the placement of buildings and roads to essential infrastructural elements.

Aliyev provided a telling example of the consequences of not adhering to a master plan: the crucial Samad Vurgun Street was meant to extend and connect with Darnagul Highway according to the previous plan. However, this plan was ignored, leading to the construction of a residential complex on the same thoroughfare, disrupting the city's overall coherence.

The ongoing debate over Baku's master plan underscores the broader tensions between planned urban development and the interests that often shape construction in practice. As discussions continue, the future of Baku's cityscape remains uncertain, hanging in the balance between a vision of organized growth and the complexities of real-world dynamics.