Applying a simple amnesty to illegal constructions may help resolve social problems in a certain period, but in the long-term perspective, it can create additional risks by encouraging new illegal constructions, stated Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov during the dialogue session titled "Transformation of Informal Settlements and Slums: Housing Provision for the World" held within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), SİA informs.
The minister noted that after the country gained independence in 1991, it faced serious challenges related to the state-building process:
"Along with this, the occupation of Azerbaijani territories and the influx of refugees exerted enormous pressure on the country. The displacement of Azerbaijanis as refugees from Armenia, as well as the forced displacement of people from the occupied territories, further aggravated the situation. To imagine the scale, let me note that in 1994, Azerbaijan's economy was only one-third of its 1991 level. Naturally, this also created additional social and economic pressures."
Jabbarov added that during the following decade, the first wave of forced social migration, mainly stemming from economic difficulties, also affected the situation at that time:
"All of this was happening against the backdrop of population growth. Because while the country's population was approximately 7 million at the time of gaining independence, within 25 years this figure reached 10 million. In other words, the overall picture was as follows: approximately one-third of the country's population were refugees or internally displaced persons, the population was rapidly growing, and the country was simultaneously facing serious socio-economic problems."
Regarding the topic under discussion, he noted that the relevant steps included the registration of multi-apartment residential buildings and the application of certain amnesty mechanisms for some informal settlements that met urban planning standards at a minimum level:
"At the same time, our experience showed that the issue of legalization must be approached very cautiously. Because applying a simple amnesty to illegal constructions may help resolve social problems in a certain period, but in the long-term perspective, it can create additional risks by encouraging new illegal constructions. This, in turn, can lead to increased pressure on agricultural lands, forest areas, water resources, and critical infrastructure zones."
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