Following the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture is pursuing the development of the Baku City Master Plan. The process comprises two phases. Following the completion of Phase 1 focusing on the implementation of analysis and preparatory activities, an open tender procedure was initiated in late 2018 to select an international urban planning company. A reputable German company has won the tender for Baku City Master Plan maker in compliance with the decision of the tender commission, consisting of representatives of SCUPA, relevant governmental agencies, and public figures.

Several leading urban planning and architectural companies expressed interest to participate in the tender. Around 20 large international companies representing various countries of the world applied to the Tender Commission. The participants’ proposals were thoroughly assessed against such criteria as international experience, professionalism of staff, implemented approach, price offer, and over 40 more criteria. The applicant companies have, in previous years, implemented projects in Paris, Frankfurt, London, Istanbul, Chicago, etc.

The Frankfurt-based AS+P is a leading international urban planning and architectural company. The German company was founded in 1964 and to date has implemented more than 2,000 successful projects around the world. Its project portfolio includes development of territorial planning documents for such well-known cities as Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, Cairo, Alexandria, Zurich, Tbilisi, Shanghai, Moscow, Istanbul, and many others.

Thus, in collaboration with AS+P, SCUPA is about to launch the 2nd phase of developing the Baku City Master Plan. The work to be conducted at this stage will be based on the development priorities defined within the Baku City Concept developed by the Committee with the participation of international Boston Consulting Group during the 1st phase.

The 2nd phase of the Master Plan project envisages the implementation of technical work relating to the strategic and multi-level territorial planning and urban development modeling against key parameters. The forthcoming integrated work will include a range of programs in relevant areas entailing various amounts of detail. The Baku City Master Plan Development process will include such programs as “Balanced land use and development of areas”, “Development of Road Transport Infrastructure and Public Transportation System”, “Improvement of Environmental and Ecological Situation”, “Development of Engineering and Communications System”, “Development of Public Places”, “Regulation of Capital Construction and Building Density”, etc.

Completion of the work over the Baku City Master Plan is scheduled for the end of 2020. After that, the final draft of the document will be submitted to the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan for approval. In keeping with the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Baku City Master Plan defines different types of land use within the city area. This document will guide all relevant bodies implementing Baku city development programs within the oncoming 20 years.

The Baku City Master Plan is the major strategic document that will regulate the systemic and sustainable development of the capital city. The State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture has mobilized all resources to ensure timely and quality development of the Baku City Master Plan in compliance with respective requirements of the Country’s legislation and best global experience.