SeCure Model - Sustainable and Empowering Cultural Revitalization of Post-Conflict Cities

The event presents Azerbaijan’s integrated model for post-conflict urban reconstruction, where culture and urban planning are treated as inseparable pillars of safe, resilient and human-centred cities. Drawing on the positive experience of the rapid and large-scale revival in Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur regions of Azerbaijan, the session demonstrates how cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, has been embedded into spatial planning, housing reconstruction, public space design and community revitalization under the national Great Return policy.

The event introduces the SECURE Concept as a methodological framework that systematizes culture centred urban recovery into interconnected phases. Our framework encompasses physical rebuilding, social and cultural infrastructure, and normative and legal systems as mutually reinforcing pillars of sustainable recovery. This framework moves beyond sectoral interventions and establishes an integrated model in which space, society, culture, and governance are planned, financed, and implemented as a single continuum.

Through concrete examples, including the reintegration of historic urban fabrics, revival of cultural life through festivals and community practices, and protection of collective memory within new housing and public spaces, the session illustrates how culture accelerates social cohesion, safety and resilience. The event positions housing and urban development not merely as technical reconstruction, but as value based processes that restore dignity, identity and trust in post conflict contexts.

Objectives of the event are to present SECURE as a transferable policy and planning model aligned with SDG 11, showcase practical solutions linking housing, culture and resilience, facilitate dialogue among policymakers, planners, cultural institutions and international partners on culture integrated urban recovery, and encourage replication of the SECURE approach in other post crisis and post conflict settings.