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Unauthorized construction work stopped in Icheri Sheher, reconstruction is under control

24 September 2007 11:02 (UTC +04:00)

- What was the purpose of establishing Icheri Sheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve?
- There were some problems in protecting town planning-architectural integrity of Icheri Sheher. New uncontrolled buildings were constructed. Reconstruction of the residential premises in the area was carried out weakly and damaged the cityâ€™s architecture. Azerbaijani president signed several decrees and executive orders to strengthen protection of Icheri Sheher and gave new status to the reserveâ€™s administration. The reserve was converted from Baku Mayorâ€™s Office and Culture and Tourism Ministry to Icheri Sheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve at the Cabinet of Ministers. The president decreed on May 16, 2007 on confirming the newly-established reserveâ€™s statute and other documents. So, a managing system of the reserve, having no analogue, has been established. Only after that separate construction work carried out in the area was stopped and are now carried out with the departmentâ€™s permission and under its control. The reserve includes four bodies â€“ Housing and Reconstruction Service, Scientific-Cultural Center, Scientific Production-Reconstruction Workshop and Icheri Sheher Historical Museum. I should also note that the reserveâ€™s territory is a very complicated, socio-cultural system. About 4500 people live here. It means that the area should also develop from social aspect, on the other hand there are about 600 monuments in 20ha of the area. 3 of these monuments are of international importance, 26 architectural monuments, 3 archeological and about 500 are local monuments. So, the cultural component of the reserve requires its protection and its social life requires dynamics. The most important and most delicate point in the management of the reserve is balancing. On the other hand, it is considered an elite area. Different international organizations and commercial structures are eager to locate in Icheri Sheher. There are some problems concerning this and they should be solved. The main problem is to create social conditions for the people living here and protect all monuments.
- How are the financial problems of your department solved?
- The reserve is now financed at the governmentâ€™s expenditure. But the reserveâ€™s statute is unique, and the reserveâ€™s administration will be able to finance itself in future. We should try to use this chance in future and direct the funds to the development of Icheri Sheher. Besides, individual investments should also be involved. The state policy involves individuals to invest funds and carry out reconstruction without damaging architectural standards. Our Management plan on protection and reconstruction has been prepared and Master plan is being prepared. These projects were prepared at the initiative of UNESCO goodwill ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva. Outstanding experts of the world, architects having experience in the historical city have come to Icheri Sheher and negotiations were carried out with them.
Special Master Plan related to Icheri Sheher will also be prepared in summer, 2008. It used to be called General Plan. Master plan will clarify all the issues related to every building and protect integrity of the town planning. Our office is being formed at present. We have nearly 30 workers. Our place is a bit small. We are planning to move to another building in future. We have already established industrious mechanism. Special technical service department controls the area. On the other hand information-communication department and investigation group has been established. Architects, engineers group, area controllers, specialists and others are working here.
- What issues of Icheri Sheher could you solve during your activity?
- Icheri sheher has a lot of problems to be solved. Icheri sheher should be turned to a tourism center meeting all modern standards first of all. Videos, booklets, brochures reflecting our historical architectural monuments have been published. Ceramic stands have been prepared, asphalts are being changed and tourist routes are being prepared. Several additional problems should be solved for turning Icheri Sheher to tourism center. Icheri Sheher was dirty and dark half a year before. Icheri Sheher is clean and light at present. Lightening is carried out in modern way. Icheri Sheher is not only historical monument, it is a city namely.
- International-level events were expected to be held here after Icheri Sheher was included to UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Do you plan to hold such events?
- We are planning to hold international folklore festivals in Icharishahar. We intend to join international alliance of ancient cities and hold seminar within it. UNESCO representatives visited Icheri Sheher and sent their decisions to World Heritage Committee. These issues were debated in the 31st meeting of the Committee and it was underlined that there is a progress in the control of Icheri sheher, the buildings are banned to be destroyed. Therefore issue on Icheri sheherâ€™s removing from the black list of World Cultural Heritage List will be debated in the next meeting.
- Will representatives of international organizations visit Icheri Sheher?
- UNESCO World Heritage Committee cooperates with International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). The representatives of these international organizations will visit Icheri Sheher this year. The specialists are expected to visit the city regarding â€œMaster planâ€ this month. Special headquarters will be established for famous international specialists. They are planned to visit Icheri Sheher every month. The representatives will start working on â€œMaster planâ€ as from this month.
- Pulling down the buildings aroused anxiety at times, construction of the new buildings worries people at present. What can you say about the fate of reconstructions held in past?
- We are controlling all the repairs, reconstructions in Icheri Sheher at present. No construction is carried out in the territory of the reserve. I can state all the illegal constructions carried out in Icheri Sheher were stopped on January 15. All the projects were reviewed again and projects coincide with the architectural standards of Icheri Sheher. Only some reconstructions, repairs can be carried out in Icheri Sheher at present. Taken measures should coincide with demands and are regulated with these standards. The projects are submitted to special expert commission and restoration is started at their permission.
- What terms are demanded for pulling down the building?
- Issue on destroying buildings in Icheri sheher is being seriously controlled. If the building can not be restored, is of no historical importance and specialist regard that it should be pulled down it is destroyed or regeneration is held in the area due to the building.
- Is there any possibility that offices of some international organizations will be moved from Old City to another place?
- We have to take a look at international experience to reply to this question. European ancient historical places usually consist of pedestrian roads. Traffic is prohibited to enter some places at all. According to our monitoring 15 000 cars used to enter Icheri sheher a day, pedestrians could hardly move. In this case traffic had to be limited. But this limitation should be carried out step-by-step by taking into consideration coziness of Old City residents. There are offices of international organizations and commercial structures in Old City what means population here increase by 10 000 in daytime. Above all each office has a lot of cars. Baku State historical - architectural reserve â€œOld Cityâ€ (Icheri Sheher) was put electronic gates and chip cards were distributed to the residents and office representatives. Right now there are two accesses to Old city: Gosha Gala gate and Neftchiler Avenue. I want the limitation to be stricter. Maybe this limitation makes some problems for some offices and they intend to leave but there is no official instruction on their removal
- What about an apartment sells in Old City?
- It is a very interesting issue. Some people bought apartment from Old City sometimes complain that were unaware of the limitation, bans put on renovation of apartments and etc. That is why our office should find the way to participate in the apartment sells process. Every one buying apartment here should sign a protection contract with us and undertake some commitments. Reserve resident is not allowed to carry out some renovation works damaging the architecture, to change historical style. These conditions are explained to each Old City resident.
- Which monuments are protected in Old City at present?
- Maiden tower area has been renovated. Siratagli monument found in 1964 will be renovated and become museum under the open sky. Old City Historical museum will be established. Archeology and Ethnography Museum of National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, adjacent of Bukhara and Moltani caravanserais have been renovated, repairment works are underway in Bakikhanovsâ€™ house, S. Guliyev street. We strive to protect Old City reflecting our history of town-building./APA/