From the Master Plan to a New Life: How Lachin Is Being Revived - VIDEO
On the occasion of 26 August - Lachin City Day, Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, shared a video dedicated to the revival of the city.
The video highlights the work carried out following the liberation of Lachin from occupation to rebuild the city in line with modern urban planning principles and facilitate the return of residents to their homeland.
The Master Plan for the Development of Lachin City until 2040 was approved by a Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 13 June 2025. The document provides for the preservation of Lachin’s historical and cultural heritage, the city’s sustainable development, the creation of a comfortable living environment, and the development of modern infrastructure responsive to the population’s growing needs.
Under the Master Plan, Lachin’s planned urban area will cover 738 hectares, while its population is projected to reach 18,000. The plan also envisages the construction of 15 educational institutions and one hospital to ensure comfortable, high-quality living conditions.
In line with modern urban mobility principles, Lachin will feature a 66-kilometre street and road network, along with 38 kilometres of pedestrian and cycling routes. These measures are intended to create comfortable, safe and environmentally sustainable mobility options across the city.
As part of the Great Return Programme, 614 families, comprising 2,264 people, have so far been resettled in Lachin city. In addition, 217 families (823 people) have settled in the restored village of Zabukh, 59 families (215 people) in Sus, and 89 families (363 people) in Beylik. Overall, 979 families, comprising 3,665 people, have returned to Lachin district.
Lachin is once again welcoming its residents home. As people who were once forced to leave their homes return to their native land, life is being restored across the city and surrounding villages. New residential areas and social infrastructure are being developed, while a modern urban environment is taking shape. The extensive reconstruction and development work is enabling Lachin to grow through contemporary approaches while preserving its historical character, rich national and cultural heritage, and distinctive urban planning traditions for future generations.
Today, every newly constructed building, newly laid street, improved public space and returning family contributes to the tangible reality of the Great Return. The revival of life in these ancestral lands demonstrates Lachin’s transformation into a city that brings together historical heritage and modern urban planning solutions, creates a strong connection between the past and the future, and confidently moves forward on its path of development.
