Today, cities have become the primary centers of global transformation. The major challenges of the 21st century—rapid population growth, climate change, increasing pressure on infrastructure, the need for sustainable economic development, and the adoption of digital technologies—are concentrated in urban areas. In this context, urban planning has evolved beyond a purely technical discipline into a strategic tool that shapes the future of nations and the quality of life for millions of people.
Azerbaijan is among the countries where these processes are particularly evident. Large-scale reconstruction and development projects, the implementation of digital solutions in urban governance, and a strategic approach to planning create a unique opportunity to establish a modern model of urban development based on sustainability, efficiency, and a high quality of life. In this context, international experience and professional dialogue with leading urban planning experts are especially important.
In an interview with AZERTAC, Canadian urban planner and internationally recognized leader in urban planning Eleanor Mohammed discusses how the cities of the future are being shaped, the role digital technologies play in this process, and the principles that underpin sustainable urban development. She serves as Chair of the UN-Habitat Professionals Forum, is a member of the Advisory Board of the Arab Urban Development Institute, and sits on the Board of Directors of Canada's National Capital Commission.
– How do you assess the role of modern urban data and digital modeling in the development of sustainable cities, particularly in countries actively modernizing their infrastructure, such as Azerbaijan?
- As a Partner at DIALOG and Chair of the UN-Habitat Professionals Forum, I view urban data and digital modeling as among the most powerful tools available to today’s urban planners.
The most successful cities are those that make informed decisions while balancing local context, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. Modern digital tools enable us to better understand how people move through cities, how infrastructure performs, how climate risks may evolve, and how today’s investments will affect future generations.
For a country like Azerbaijan, which is making significant investments in modernization and innovation, digital modeling offers an opportunity to strengthen strategic planning and decision-making. It allows governments to test different development scenarios, improve efficiency, enhance resilience, and make more forward-looking decisions.
Equally important, digital tools can strengthen urban governance systems. Around the world, rapidly growing cities are increasingly seeking to better integrate planning, infrastructure, finance, and service delivery to support sustainable growth. Digital modeling helps reveal how these systems interact, enabling more coordinated decision-making. Ultimately, effective urban planning is about bringing together land use, transportation, housing, infrastructure, environmental systems, and economic development into one coherent vision.
– Azerbaijan is investing heavily in smart cities and the reconstruction of its liberated territories. Which urban planning principles do you consider most important for projects of this scale?
- The first principle of reconstruction and new development is long-term resilience. Major projects must consider not only today's needs but also what people and communities will require decades from now. This means creating places that can adapt to changes in the economy, demographics, climate, and technology. Every investment should strengthen a community's capacity to thrive in the future.
The second principle is landscape-led planning. Cities do not exist separately from their natural environment. Water systems, topography, climate, biodiversity, and natural resources should be treated as foundational infrastructure rather than secondary considerations. Around the world, we increasingly recognize that green infrastructure and nature-based solutions are not simply environmental amenities—they are essential economic, social, and governance infrastructure that supports climate resilience, public health, and long-term development.
The third principle is creating complete and connected communities. The true measure of a successful city is how effectively it connects people to housing, employment, education, healthcare, recreation, and public services. Land use, transportation, and utility infrastructure should be planned together and in partnership with local communities to ensure long-term livability and economic prosperity.
The fourth principle is cultural identity and sense of place. Places are more than buildings and roads—they reflect history, memory, culture, and belonging. Successful development and reconstruction respect heritage while embracing innovation, allowing people to recognize themselves in the places where they live.
The fifth principle is participatory and collaborative governance. The world's most successful projects are those where governments, professionals, investors, and communities work together toward a shared vision. Meaningful public engagement builds trust, improves decision-making, and leads to more sustainable outcomes.
Finally, strong institutions and professional capacity are essential. One of the major challenges of the 21st century is that many rapidly growing cities lack robust planning and governance systems. Investment alone is not enough—lasting success depends on effective, data-driven governance and professionals capable of working across sectors.
– How do digital urban models (urban simulations) contribute to planning new urban centers, such as those being developed in the Garabagh region?
- For new urban centers in Garabagh, this means planners can evaluate how different development scenarios will affect mobility, economic activity, public services, and overall quality of life. They can identify risks in advance, test alternatives, and make more informed decisions.
These tools are particularly valuable because they allow cities to be viewed as interconnected systems. Rather than assessing housing, transportation, or environmental issues separately, simulations show how changes in one area influence others, leading to more integrated and sustainable development.
Perhaps most importantly, these tools help build a shared vision for the future. They enable governments, professionals, investors, and communities to visualize possible development scenarios together.
Successful urban development depends on transparent and inclusive decision-making. One of the greatest strengths of digital modeling is its ability to translate complex technical information into a format that people can easily understand. When citizens can visualize the future and understand the consequences of decisions, they become more engaged in shaping their cities. This leads to greater public trust, better decisions, and more resilient communities.
– What lessons from international experience could be most valuable for Baku in terms of sustainable growth and transportation planning?
- One lesson stands above all others: cities function best when transportation, land use, housing, public spaces, and economic development are planned together and in collaboration with local communities.
Cities such as London, Singapore, Copenhagen, and Toronto have demonstrated that successful growth is built on creating connected communities rather than isolated projects. Investments in public transportation are most effective when combined with mixed-use development, walkable neighborhoods, high-quality public spaces, and access to employment opportunities.
Another important lesson is the need for long-term thinking. Infrastructure decisions made today will shape urban life for decades. Leading cities understand that prosperity and resilience are built through coordinated investments in transportation, buildings, public spaces, cultural assets, climate adaptation, and green infrastructure. Increasingly, they recognize that nature-based solutions are not simply aesthetic improvements but critical infrastructure delivering economic, social, and environmental benefits.
International experience also highlights the importance of good governance. Cities that consistently achieve strong results have planning systems that integrate growth, innovation, investment, environmental sustainability, economic development, and public expectations. Effective governance creates the conditions for high-quality development and turns long-term vision into tangible outcomes.
For Baku, the goal should not be to become "another London" or "another Singapore." Baku already possesses what many cities are still striving to achieve: a strong identity, a rich cultural heritage, and a unique position at the crossroads of regions, economies, and cultures.
The world's most successful cities are those that remain confident in their identity while embracing innovation. Baku's future lies in developing its own model of sustainable urban development—one that builds on its unique strengths and becomes a legacy that future generations will be proud of.
