Zaha Hadid Architects to Develop Extensive Urban District Around Baku Expo Center
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has been commissioned to conceptualize a vast 198-hectare urban district in Baku, Azerbaijan. This initiative responds to the increasing population of the city by offering a variety of housing solutions and extensive public services. The masterplan integrates seamlessly with the natural environment, prioritizing the preservation of existing pine forests and incorporating innovative green infrastructure. This marks ZHA's second major project in Baku, following the critically acclaimed Heydar Aliyev Center, and continues the firm's signature fluid architectural style.
Zaha Hadid Architects' Vision for Baku Expo City
In August 2026, Zaha Hadid Architects announced its selection for a monumental urban development surrounding the Baku Expo Center in Azerbaijan. This expansive 198-hectare site, previously a pine forest, is poised for transformation into a vibrant, interconnected community. The design, spearheaded by ZHA, addresses Baku's decade-long population surge by introducing a diverse array of residential options, ranging from single-bedroom apartments to substantial family residences. This venture signifies ZHA's renewed engagement with Baku's architectural landscape, following the successful completion of the iconic Heydar Aliyev Center in 2013. The new district's structures are envisioned in the distinctive Zaha Hadid style, featuring flowing lines, rounded forms, and a pristine white aesthetic, embodying a sense of architectural fluidity.
A core principle of the masterplan is environmental stewardship, with a steadfast commitment to preserving 92% of the existing 18,000 trees. This green strategy is designed to promote natural cooling, buffer winds, and regulate the microclimate, complemented by a robust forestry management plan and future replanting initiatives. The district is structured into a series of interconnected neighborhoods, facilitating easy navigation through pedestrian walkways, cycling paths, and tree-lined avenues. In alignment with Baku's 2030 transport strategy, the masterplan ensures direct connectivity to the city center, the international airport, and the broader metropolitan region via an upgraded public transportation network, including the Bakikhanov–Bina–Gala rail line.
The comprehensive plan incorporates essential civic amenities, such as kindergartens, schools, local retail outlets, entertainment venues, cultural centers, public parks, sports facilities, and medical clinics. At the heart of this urban ensemble lies a dynamic public square, bustling with cultural activities, cafes, restaurants, and leisure opportunities for both residents and visitors attending events at the expanded Baku Expo Center and the new Congress Hall. The development also includes a new hotel near the international airport to support the growing exhibition and conference sector. All new buildings will feature green roof systems, enhancing thermal insulation, reducing energy consumption for cooling, and integrating with the district's stormwater management for rainwater collection, filtration, and reuse, while simultaneously mitigating the urban heat island effect.
Recognizing Baku's unique climatic conditions, characterized by the Khazri wind from the Caspian Sea in winter and the Gilavar wind from the Iranian plateau in summer, the Baku Expo City masterplan incorporates sophisticated pedestrian wind comfort analysis. This analysis informs the strategic arrangement of buildings, creating protective barriers that deflect strong winds, thereby reducing ground-level wind speeds and fostering sheltered public spaces conducive to year-round outdoor recreation and leisure.
The development of Baku Expo City by Zaha Hadid Architects offers a compelling vision for sustainable urban growth. Its emphasis on environmental preservation, integrated civic amenities, and responsive architectural design provides a thoughtful model for future large-scale developments. This project demonstrates how modern urban planning can effectively blend aesthetic innovation with ecological responsibility, creating vibrant and resilient communities tailored to their specific climatic and social contexts. It serves as an inspiring example for architects and urban planners worldwide grappling with the challenges of rapid urbanization and climate change.