The award ceremony of the traditional Təməl Architecture Award, established by the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, has been held.

The award ceremony of the traditional "Təməl" Architecture Award, established by the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, has been held.

The event was attended by government officials, public figures, representatives of the private sector, architects, and urban planning specialists.

Delivering the opening speech at the ceremony, First Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, Namig Hummetov, stated that the “Təməl” Architecture Award has become a symbol of professionalism, innovative thinking, and a responsible architectural approach. He noted that this year’s competition coincides with the 20th anniversary of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture and the Year of Urban Planning and Architecture, emphasizing that the field of urban planning and architecture is a priority direction in state policy. He stressed that the strategic course defined by National Leader Heydar Aliyev is successfully continued today by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. “The core essence of this policy is not only to ensure the planned development of cities, but also to prioritize the human factor, social welfare, and territorial balance,” Hummetov said. He added that as a result of this consistent and purposeful policy, over the past 20 years significant work has been carried out by the Committee to improve the regulatory and legal framework, prepare and approve master plans, and implement digital governance mechanisms. To date, master plans of 67 out of the country’s 79 cities have been approved, and work on the remaining cities is ongoing. At the same time, important results have been achieved in the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions in establishing new residential settlements and forming a modern spatial model based on the principles of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Later at the event, Deputy Chairman of the Committee and Chairman of the Jury Ilgar Isbatov, as well as Chairman of the Board of the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan Elbay Gasimzade, delivered speeches highlighting the importance of the award in preserving architectural traditions, promoting innovative approaches, and fostering a high-quality urban environment.

Ilgar Isbatov noted that the “Best Architectural Project of the Year” award was established in 2023 by the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. Since last year, the initiative has been implemented under the name “Təməl” Architecture Award. Its main objective is to evaluate projects developed throughout the year based on professional criteria, contribute to the advancement of architectural art, and enhance the quality of the urban planning environment in residential settlements.