If citizens are excluded from decision-making processes, even the best-designed urban planning projects can end in failure, Torakhanim Nasrullayeva, lecturer at the Baku Military College under the National Defense University, said during an event held within the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.
Report quotes Nasrullayeva as saying many cities worldwide face serious housing problems: "Urbanization is growing rapidly, infrastructure is under pressure, and governments are searching for tools to address these challenges effectively. This requires participation. Housing is not only a basic human need, but also tied to dignity, stability, security, and social development. Currently, more than one billion people globally live in inadequate housing conditions."
She emphasized that communication drives participation, participation improves decisions, and better decisions create sustainable cities: "You cannot build a city without citizen involvement. Even the best-designed urban projects will fail if citizens are excluded from decision-making. Today, one of the main urban challenges is low citizen participation, weak communication channels, and highly centralized planning systems. Our approach focuses on three key areas: digital communication tools, community engagement models, and data-driven decision-making."