BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 21. MIDA has managed a
broader portfolio of 19 distinct real estate developments,
successfully completing the construction of 11 large-scale projects
comprising more than 14,000 affordable residential units to date,
said Jamshid Amirov, Chief of Staff of MIDA, Trend reports.
He made the remarks during a specialized session focused on the
Baku City Master Plan, held within the framework of the 13th
session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.
According to him, the operational footprint of the State Housing
Development Agency of Azerbaijan (MIDA) extends far beyond the
capital to aggressively scale affordable housing solutions across
multiple regions of the country.
“The agency has also successfully executed three strategic
housing projects within the liberated territories, which stands as
a source of immense institutional pride for us. MIDA continuously
carries out extensive spatial land banking research to identify
optimal plots for future developments. Throughout this vetting
workflow, proximity to major employment hubs and highly favorable
ecological parameters operate as our primary selection criteria,”
Amirov reported.
He pointed out that the finalized market price of the
residential apartments offered to qualifying citizens is, on
average, 25 percent lower than prevailing market rates, with the
pricing differential shifting even wider across specific premium
urban zones.
“Eligible citizens can secure these properties by deploying a
minimal 10 percent down payment, gaining access to long-term,
low-interest state mortgage credit facilities. Furthermore, all
apartments enter the market fully renovated, equipped with kitchen
cabinetry systems and integrated individual heating infrastructure
ready for immediate occupancy,” the chief of staff explained.
“Our residential complexes undergo construction exclusively
within highly secure and environmentally viable sectors. The
master-planning phase strictly incorporates foundational social
infrastructure elements, including secondary schools, kindergarten
facilities, medical clinics, spacious common courtyards, extensive
green parks, recreational playgrounds, specialized bicycle paths,
and seamless links to municipal public mass transit grids,” Amirov
added.
To guarantee absolute institutional transparency and equal
access, the official noted that the government has deployed the
specialized “Guzeshtli Menzil” (Affordable Housing) Electronic
System.
“This centralized digital platform creates completely equal
opportunities for all applicant classes and drastically simplifies
the entire property acquisition lifecycle. Applications from
eligible citizens undergo real-time online processing, while
submitted candidate metrics are verified instantly via automated
data integration links connected to core state agency information
networks,” he emphasized.
Concluding his address, the MIDA official underlined that the
concept of affordable housing must transcend simple low-cost real
estate valuations.
“True affordable housing must encompass a comprehensively
integrated living ecosystem that simultaneously delivers robust
public mass transit connections, accessible social infrastructure,
open green spaces, and direct proximity to viable macroeconomic
employment opportunities,” Amirov concluded.
Today marks the fifth day of WUF13 in Baku.
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.
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.
