BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19.
On May 18, 2026, within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation organized a panel session entitled “From Heritage to Resilience: Turkic Houses",TurkicWorld reports.
Speaking at the opening of the event, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Professor Aktoty Raimkulova, particularly emphasized the significance of holding such a prestigious event in Baku, noting that the Forum serves as an important global platform bringing together governments, scholars, architects, international organizations, and representatives of civil society. Aktoty Raimkulova noted that Turkic houses are not merely living spaces, but also embodiments of social harmony, adaptation to nature, and a community-based way of life. She underlined that the preservation of traditional architectural heritage is an essential component of sustainable development.
In conclusion, the President of the Foundation expressed her deep gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye, the organizers of the World Urban Forum, and all partner organizations for providing the opportunity to organize the panel within the framework of such a significant international event.
During the panel, extensive discussions were held on the preservation of the architectural identity of traditional Turkic houses, enhancing urban resilience through cultural heritage, as well as sustainable restoration practices in historic cities.
The session continued under the moderation of Nuri Aksu, Project Manager of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation. The discussions featured contributions from Professor Oğuz Ceylan, Honorary Professor of the Faculty of Architecture at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (Türkiye); Mrs. Sabina Hajiyeva, Head of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Mr. Ahmet Metin Genç, Mayor of Trabzon Municipality (Türkiye); as well as Mr. Sauran Kaliyev, archaeologist, Head of the Directorate for the Protection and Restoration of Historical and Cultural Monuments (Kazakhstan), who shared the experiences of their respective countries.
At the conclusion of the panel, the participants emphasized the importance of establishing a stronger network of cooperation among Turkic states for the preservation of their shared architectural heritage and its integration into modern urban development models.
