The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku has become an important platform for urban planning specialists, government agencies, and international organizations from various countries in terms of experience exchange and new collaborations.
Within the framework of the forum, Elena Machaidze, Special Representative for Urban Planning at Georgia's Spatial and Urban Development Agency, shared her views, in an interview with Report, on urbanization challenges, regional cooperation, Azerbaijan-Georgia relations, and the reconstruction process underway in Karabakh.
The interview is provided below:
- What are the main priorities for Georgia's Spatial and Urban Development Agency within the framework of WUF13? What do you expect from the forum?
- As a delegation representing Georgia's Spatial and Urban Development Agency, we believe that this platform will offer significant opportunities in terms of establishing new cooperation relations, expanding professional networks, exploring innovative methods, and sharing mutual experiences. The fact that the forum brings together specialists and representatives from various countries is of particular interest to us.
- What aspects within the framework of the forum have attracted your attention the most? Which experiences from here do you consider beneficial for Georgia?
- The approaches, pavilions, and urban planning solutions demonstrated here are quite remarkable. Such international platforms contribute to the formation of new concepts and the creation of fertile ground for future joint projects. Our main goal is to gain the maximum level of knowledge, experience, and professional connections.
- What are the main challenges that housing policy and urbanization processes pose for Georgia today?
- The housing problem is not unique to Georgia; it is considered one of the most pressing issues worldwide. I believe that the formulation and promotion of proper policies in this direction should be one of the main objectives. Such events are of great importance in terms of clarifying which approaches can yield more effective results and contribute to the elimination of existing problems.
- What is the scope of your cooperation with Azerbaijan?
- We have quite active cooperation with Azerbaijan's State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture. The reason for this is that our fields of activity and professional perspectives are similar to each other. Representatives from Azerbaijan have participated in national urban planning forums organized in Georgia, and at the same time, we have participated in experience sharing at forums held in Azerbaijan. We are interested in further deepening the existing partnership.
- In your opinion, is there a need for a common approach in urban planning and urbanization in the Caucasus region?
- I believe that the countries in the region face the same types of problems. There are numerous common challenges in terms of climate change, landscape characteristics, and urbanization processes. Therefore, a regional-level approach to certain issues can yield more effective results.
In my opinion, certain problems should find their solutions not only within the borders of one country but within the framework of joint cooperation.
- Have you visited Karabakh? What are your impressions of the region?
- Yes, I have been to Karabakh. I think the region has great potential both in terms of its natural landscape and urban planning perspectives. Following the reconstruction and development projects being implemented, there is quite interesting. In particular, the application of modern urban planning principles and the region's prospective development strategy attracts attention.