Azerbaijani Architecture

Urban masterplans remain an exploratory ground for unbuilt speculation, offering insight into how cities might recalibrate mobility, ecology, and collective life in response to accelerating environmental and social pressures. In this Unbuilt edition, submitted by the ArchDaily community, the selected projects bring together a range of large-scale proposals that examine urban centers, waterfront districts, infrastructural corridors, and cultural landscapes as spatial frameworks for reconnection and resilience. Rather than treating the masterplan as a rigid blueprint, these projects approach urbanism as an adaptive system shaped by climate, topography, infrastructure, and public space.

The International Union of Architects (UIA), in partnership with UN-Habitat, has released the Stage 1 results of the third cycle of the UIA 2030 Award, identifying the projects selected as Regional Finalists. The shortlisted entries were drawn from submissions across the UIA's five global regions and will advance to the second stage of evaluation. Established in alignment with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the award framework positions the built environment within broader discussions on sustainable urban development and global policy objectives.

This week's news compilation brings together current discussions around public and collective space, cultural infrastructure, and long-term urban transformation across diverse geographic contexts. From shared management models redefining public space ownership in cities such as Paris and New York, to large-scale event-driven initiatives linked to Milano Cortina 2026 and the World Urban Forum in Baku, the selected projects and initiatives highlight how governance, culture, and infrastructure intersect in contemporary practice. These themes are further developed through a mix of strategic planning processes, including international test planning efforts in Northern Lviv, and built projects spanning education, culture, and temporary architecture, from a new dental teaching facility in Blantyre, Malawi, to restored and newly opened cultural venues in the United States and Taiwan, and adaptive reuse interventions showcased at the Chicago Architecture Biennial. The international examples outline an architectural landscape shaped by reuse, public engagement, and the evolving role of design in responding to social, cultural, and institutional frameworks.

President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order declaring 2026 the "Year of Urban Planning and Architecture" in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The decision establishes a national framework focused on urban planning policy, architectural culture, and sustainable development, aligning with Azerbaijan's preparations to host the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku in May 2026. According to the order, the designation aims to preserve Azerbaijan's centuries-old traditions while integrating contemporary approaches that respond to current social, environmental, and spatial challenges. The President's Administration will now prepare and submit a comprehensive action plan for the year within one month.

The International Union of Architects (UIA), in collaboration with UN-Habitat, has announced the launch of the third cycle of the UIA 2030 Award. Introduced in 2021, the biennial international prize highlights the role of architecture in advancing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a particular emphasis on SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and the New Urban Agenda. Organized by the UIA's UN 17 SDGs Commission, the award recognizes built projects that combine architecture with measurable contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Structured to coincide with the schedule of the World Urban Forum (WUF), the award will run through five cycles.

The Azerbaijan national pavilion, participating in the Venice Architecture Biennale for the first time, presents Equilibrium. Patterns of Azerbaijan. Curated by Nigar Gardashkhanova, the exhibition aligns with the overarching theme of this year's Biennale Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective. Focusing on innovative design responses to the climate crisis, the pavilion emphasizes the principles of Regenerate. Innovate. Preserve. Featuring projects commissioned by Rashad Aslanov, the exhibition showcases contributions from the Azerbaijan Development Company (ADEC), Simmetrico Architettura, and Adalat Mammadov. Organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, with support from the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Italy, the exhibition will run from May 10 to November 23, 2025, at Castello 2127/A, near the Arsenale.

The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 10 to November 24, 2024, amid a backdrop of escalating climate challenges. For cities, the epicenters of population growth, economic activity, and climate vulnerability, the outcomes of COP29 are particularly significant. As urban areas contribute over 70% of global carbon emissions and housing more than half of the world's population, their consideration is pivotal in shaping global responses to the current crisis. In fact, cities are on the frontlines of the crisis, facing record-breaking heatwaves, catastrophic floods, and increasing economic losses from extreme weather events. In 2024 alone, urban areas worldwide experienced devastating climate impacts: flooding displaced millions in Africa, droughts crippled urban economies in South America, and storms caused widespread destruction in North America and Europe. The outcomes of COP29 directly affect urban planning, architecture, and sustainability efforts. From commitments to climate finance and carbon markets to renewable energy and resilience-building, the summit's decisions provide a roadmap for transforming cities into hubs of climate innovation and adaptation. Below are the key takeaways from COP29 for the built environment and urban spaces.

The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) takes place between the 11th and 22nd of November in Baku, Azerbaijan. The event proposes a global gathering of business leaders, governments, and civil society with the aim of taking effective measures to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. As the construction industry is responsible for approximately 37% of global emissions, the conference is of particular interest to architects, urban planners, and researchers in this field.

As the architectural landscape continues to evolve in response to pressing global challenges, events such as biennales, design weeks, and fairs play an instrumental role in shaping the profession's future. These gatherings facilitate the exchange of innovative ideas, the exploration of sustainable practices, and the fostering of collaboration among architects, designers, and urban planners. They serve not only as platforms for showcasing cutting-edge designs but also as forums for critical dialogue about the built environment's impact on society and the planet.

The Republic of Azerbaijan has just revealed its design for it's pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai. Shining a spotlight on the country's culture, history, and forward-thinking approaches, the pavilion aims to promote connection and sustainability. Designed by Bellprat Partner in collaboration with Eleven, the pavilion will offer visitors a journey through Azerbaijan's rich traditions while emphasizing its modern goals for sustainability and international cooperation.