An international Zoom conference dedicated to the topic “Sustainable and Safe Urban Development for Women and Children in the Context of Urban Growth” was held within the framework of a project implemented with the support of the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The conference was organized through the joint cooperation of the Public Union “Reliable Future” and the Kazakhstani partner organization Almaty Azamattyq Alliance Association and served as the initial phase of activities planned within the framework of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), which will be held in Baku in 2026.
During the event, participants discussed important topics such as the safety of women and children, inclusive urban environments, sustainable development, accessibility of public spaces, and human-centered approaches in urban planning. A total of 47 participants attended the conference, including representatives of NGOs from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, experts, civil society institutions, and specialists from various fields.
As part of the conference, international expert in sustainable development and communications and alumna of the IVLP (International Visitor Leadership Program) on urban planning, Liya Bayramova, delivered a presentation entitled “Safety as the Foundation of an Inclusive City.” The expert noted that the quality of a modern urban environment directly depends on a child’s “radius of freedom” and their ability to safely explore the world without constant adult supervision. Based on successful international practices, she proposed moving away from the concept of closed playgrounds toward the development of a “Care-full city” model, where tactical urbanism and thoughtful city planning make streets and public spaces safer and more accessible for everyone.
The expert emphasized that investments in children’s safety are not only a humanitarian priority but also an important economic strategy that helps cities preserve human capital and build healthy societies.
Blockchain and artificial intelligence expert Emin Aliyev spoke about the role of modern technologies in transforming urban spaces. His presentation highlighted the opportunities created by innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in ensuring urban safety. According to the expert, modern approaches now enable a shift from passive reaction to incidents toward a proactive security model. Intelligent systems are capable of identifying calls for help and audio indicators of stress situations in real time, helping to prevent risks before they escalate.
Professor Aynur Sabitova addressed issues related to the adaptation of newly arrived residents, particularly migrants, to urban environments, social integration, and the formation of new social values. She stressed that an inclusive city model should not be limited to physical safety alone but must also ensure equal participation and a sense of security for different social groups within urban life.
The conference emphasized that integrating innovation into urban planning is aimed not only at protecting vulnerable groups but also at creating a truly inclusive, open, and comfortable environment for all residents. When a city becomes safe and accessible for its most vulnerable populations, it automatically becomes more livable and welcoming for everyone.
Today’s Zoom meeting was one of the first activities implemented within the project’s action plan. Future stages of the project include live events organized jointly with the National NGO Forum of Azerbaijan, expert discussions, and a large-scale final event during WUF13 in Baku.
All initiatives are dedicated to the international WUF13 forum organized within the framework of the UN-Habitat program. During the forum, issues related to safe urban development for women and children, sustainable urbanization, and inclusive urban environments will be among the key topics of discussion.
