Baku: A special training session titled “Green Homes, Green Balconies Hydroponic Solutions for Climate-Resilient Urban Living” was conducted as part of the 13th Session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13), organized by Baku State University (BSU). This session aimed to explore innovative approaches for enhancing urban living conditions amidst climate challenges.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the session commenced with moderator Mirhuseyn Taghiyev outlining the session’s objectives and the initiatives implemented by BSU as part of WUF13. Gumru Huseynova, Head of the Cell Culture and Genome Editing Laboratory at BSU, discussed the integration of hydroponic systems in homes and balconies. She emphasized the significance of these systems in producing organic food and fostering a green urban environment.
Ramil Azmammadov, CEO of Grand Agro Invitro, presented on the topic ‘Food security of growing cities: AI, water efficiency and the future of agriculture.’ His presentation focused on the role of modern technologies in agriculture and their impact on urban food security. Ilyas Nasibov, Director of the Student Scientific-Technical Creativity Center at BSU, briefed attendees on the university’s startup projects and innovation initiatives. He also introduced the ‘EcoEnergy’ station project.
Nurlan Amrahov, a researcher at Bioengineering SRL at BSU, provided insights into the construction and everyday use of hydroponic systems in urban settings. Zarkhanim Aghayeva, a lecturer at the Ecology and Soil Sciences Faculty, emphasized the importance of biotechnology in building sustainable urban environments, highlighting its role in the development of future green cities.
The session concentrated on converting urban homes and balconies into climate-resilient and resource-efficient spaces by adopting small-scale hydroponic systems. It presented the ‘Green Homes, Green Balconies’ concept as a feasible, low-carbon, and nature-based solution suitable for dense urban areas with limited space.
Key urban challenges were addressed, such as rising temperatures, loss of green spaces, and the increased demand on water and energy resources, alongside concerns about food security and public well-being. The event concluded with a question-and-answer session, allowing participants to engage and discuss further.