BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. Icherisheher can
become the world's first historical reserve where the "smart city"
concept will be implemented in the format of a "smart reserve",
Chairman of the Board of the “Icherisheher” State
Historical-Architectural Reserve Administration Rufat Mahmud said,
Trend reports.
The official made the remark at an event titled “Digital
Transformation in Historic Cities Smart Heritage” in Baku within
the framework of the 13th Session of the UN World Urban Forum
(WUF13).
According to him, the concept envisions integrating heritage,
the local community, and modern technologies into a unified
management system for the historic city.
Mahmud noted that digital services for tourists and residents
are already being implemented as part of the project. Specifically,
a mobile app provides information about all the museums, hotels,
and restaurants in Icherisheher, as well as navigation along the
historic streets.
"Even people living in Icherisheher can sometimes get lost in
the narrow streets, but thanks to the integrated navigation, this
problem is solved," he said.
The head of the administration also emphasized that special
attention is being paid to transportation and parking. According to
him, traffic in historical cities should be limited, but not
completely banned, as this impacts the quality of life of local
residents.
Mahmud announced that the Icherisheher administration signed a
memorandum of understanding with an Azerbaijani bank on strategic
cooperation within the framework of the "smart reserve" concept.
The agreement envisages the integration of digital and banking
services for tourists and visitors.
He pointed out that future plans include the complete
digitalization of services, as well as the implementation of
digital solutions in the field of monument and cultural heritage
protection.
According to Mahmud, UN-Habitat representatives and
international experts have already called this approach
innovative.
"This could become the first smart nature reserve in the world,
and we are proud of it," he stressed.
Mahmud added that foreign guests and WUF13 participants highly
praised the attention and care shown to Icherisheher by the
Azerbaijani administration and government.
Today marks the final day of the 13th session of the World Urban
Forum (WUF13).
The first day included a ministerial meeting dedicated to the
New Urban Agenda, a ministerial roundtable, assemblies for women
and civil society, business sessions, and discussions on urban
prosperity. An official ceremony marking the raising of the UN and
Azerbaijani flags also took place.
The second day stood out for the inaugural Leaders' Summit,
featuring high-level discussions on the global housing crisis,
urbanization policy, and urban resilience. Concurrently, the
opening of the Mexico City pavilion took place, serving as a
significant platform for expanding cooperation with the Latin
American region and preparing for WUF14.
The third day of WUF13 featured a comprehensive program of
events covering the global housing crisis, the formation of safe
and inclusive cities, climate resilience, artificial intelligence
and urban governance, green urbanization, social equity, and
sustainable transport.
One of the highlights of the third day was the signing of a
sister-city memorandum between the Azerbaijani city of Shusha and
the Turkish city of Trabzon.
The fourth day of WUF13 featured a broad program of events
dedicated to urbanization, climate change, inclusive urban
development, housing policy, and sustainable governance.
The fifth day of WUF13 continued discussions on the global
housing crisis, the creation of safe and inclusive cities, climate
resilience, the use of artificial intelligence in urban management,
green urbanization, and social equality.
One of the important events of the UN Special Programme for the
Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) Cities Forum, held on the fourth
day, was the announcement of Almaty’s official accession to the
“Declaration of Intent on the Establishment of the SPECA Smart
Climate-Resilient Cities Forum.”
Also, for the first time in WUF history and at Azerbaijan’s
initiative, the “WUF13 NGO Forum: Global Partnership and
Decision-Making” was held.
WUF13, which has attracted more than 40,000 registered
participants from 182 countries, will continue until May 22. Held
under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and
communities,” the forum brings together governments, international
organizations, experts, and representatives of civil society to
strengthen global cooperation in the field of sustainable urban
development.
