The entire reconstruction process in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur is being carried out in accordance with master plans, Ramil Jahangirov, Head of the Project Management Department of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, said at the event titled “Post-Conflict Urban Reconstruction: The Crucial Role of Humanitarian Demining Activities” held within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, APA reports.
He noted that this approach has been defined as a key principle in the Great Return State Program and other relevant documents:
“In other words, all infrastructure and residential construction must be carried out in accordance with urban planning norms and standards. However, safety is the number one issue for planning the construction process. That is why the entire system is built in such a way that the safety of territories is ensured first, and only after that construction work begins. This is not an easy process. During various panels and sessions throughout the week, we have spoken about the importance of coordination. In the fields of urban planning and demining, coordination is of particularly great importance. Because for every next step taken, we must be sure that the territory has been completely cleared of mines. Consultations are constantly being held to determine in advance which areas are more heavily mined and which are relatively safer. Today, we already see that more than 270 thousand hectares have been cleared.”
He emphasized that it is a very difficult and risky process for ANAMA specialists to inspect every square meter.
“The danger can be everywhere. Sometimes the mine threat emerges in completely unexpected places, in mountainous areas and zones where active fighting did not take place. That is why every settlement must be fully cleared. Another important issue is the phased implementation of master plans. All the residential projects we are currently seeing are the first phases of villages and cities. Coordination with ANAMA is also important for the implementation of these phases. First, the territory designated for the first phase is cleared, and only then does construction begin.”
He stated that the issue is not limited only to the clearance of residential areas:
“These residential areas must also be connected with infrastructure. This requires the routes through which electricity, water, gas and broadband internet lines pass to also be cleared of mines. Therefore, coordination is not limited only to us and ANAMA. Utility service providers are also involved in the process. While this makes the work more complex, it also makes it more systematic and organized. Another important point is that the clearance process must be completed long before construction. Because architects, engineers and designers must enter the territory for design and planning work. They must conduct geodetic and geological studies. This means that the territory must already be made safe before construction begins. In other words, if construction is to start this year, the clearance process must have been completed earlier.”
Ramil Jahangirov said that the entire sequence is organized in such a way that everything is ready before construction begins.
“On the other hand, clearance should not be limited only to the boundaries of residential areas. People should live under normal conditions without feeling restricted. Leaving the city and going to surrounding areas should not pose a danger for them. That is why special attention is also paid to clearing buffer zones around residential settlements. Buffer zones are located outside the boundaries of residential areas, and the goal is to ensure that people can move as safely as possible in those territories. Of course, warning signs exist. However, we are trying to ensure that returning people do not feel restricted. Working with repatriates is also a very important issue. ANAMA is carrying out important activities in this direction. Because the main purpose of all these processes is people, the people returning to their lands. Every returning person is informed about the mine threat. Even if safety is ensured, people are told that risks have not been completely eliminated. Therefore, awareness activities are just as important as demining.”
