Significant steps have been taken in recent years to simplify the procedures for commissioning multi-apartment residential buildings and implementing amnesties for private houses that meet basic urban planning standards, Azerbaijan's Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov said.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, the minister made these remarks during an event titled "Transforming Informal Settlements and Slums for Housing Globally." Minister Jabbarov emphasized that while amnesties address immediate social concerns, they must be approached with caution. "Our experience shows that the issue of legalization must be handled very carefully. While a simple amnesty for illegal structures may solve certain social issues in the short term, it could stimulate further illegal construction in the future," he stated. He further noted that such practices create long-term risks, including the emergence of unsafe buildings, unplanned land use, and pressure on agricultural lands, forests, water resources, and critical infrastructure zones.
The minister also highlighted the ongoing large-scale reconstruction projects in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. He expressed confidence that the urban planning and redevelopment activities in these areas would alleviate much of the existing demographic pressure, as many citizens are finally returning to their ancestral lands after more than 30 years of displacement. This return process is a central component of Azerbaijan's "Great Return" program, which aims to restore sustainable living conditions and integrate the liberated regions into the national economy.
The transformation of informal settlements remains a global challenge, often discussed at international forums like the World Urban Forum. In Azerbaijan, the government is balancing the need for formalizing property rights with the necessity of maintaining strict urban planning discipline to ensure public safety and environmental sustainability. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to modernize the country's housing sector and improve the quality of life in both urban and rural areas across the Republic of Azerbaijan.
