Khankendi: The functional role of cities such as Ganja, Shamkir, and Zangilan should be determined in Azerbaijan’s regional development policy, Katja Schafer, Regional Advisor of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), said during her speech at the “3rd Azerbaijan National Urban Planning Forum” held in Khankendi, APA-Economics reports.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Schafer noted that Azerbaijan must pay special attention to managing regional development with a functional approach in the phase of urbanization and globalization. She emphasized the importance of correctly identifying Azerbaijan’s functional areas, taking globalization processes into account, and clarifying the roles of cities like Sumgayit, Ganja, and Shamkir relative to each other.
The UN official also highlighted that regional discussions should focus on identifying priority corridors that can drive development, which could stimulate economic revitalization in rural areas. Schafer pointed out that Azerbaijan’s economy currently faces high youth unemployment and sectoral imbalance, suggesting that the government’s policy should focus on strengthening value chains and promoting agricultural innovations.
She stressed the necessity of turning these challenges into opportunities by enhancing value chains, fostering innovation in agriculture, and improving logistics. The process of delivering products from rural areas to cities, Schafer mentioned, can be a key tool to increase agricultural productivity.
Additionally, Schafer called attention to Azerbaijan’s suburban and intermediary areas, emphasizing the need for special attention in planning. She insisted that green zones and blue zones, which include water bodies and ecosystems, must be preserved in these areas to prevent their destruction. Serious integration of these areas into master plans is crucial, she concluded.