The idea of moving Azerbaijan’s capital away from Baku resurfaces every few years, presented as a potential solution to the city’s chronic problems – congestion, overcrowding, air pollution, and overstretched infrastructure.
Supporters argue that relocating the capital would ease pressure on the country’s economic and administrative hub. But experts say the opposite: the problem is not where Baku is located, but how it’s managed.
The Myth of “Starting Fresh”
Urban and transport specialists warn that relocating the capital would be a costly and symbolic move, doing little to fix the root causes of Baku’s challenges.
Transport expert Rauf Agmirzayev told BAKU.WS that transferring the capital would neither resolve population density nor eliminate traffic jams or social strain.
“The solution lies not in moving the city, but in managing it better,” Agmirzayev said. “Public transport isn’t just a convenience – it’s a strategic investment in climate neutrality, social justice, and sustainable development.”
Lessons from Europe: Plan, Don’t Flee
Agmirzayev referred to the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), which recently warned the European Commission that the EU’s next financial framework (2028–2034) risks neglecting urban mobility and public transport, even as 84% of Europe’s population is projected to live in cities by 2050.
The lesson, he said, is clear: European cities aren’t solving their challenges by moving capitals – they’re doing it through systemic management, smart infrastructure, and urban planning.
“Urban mobility remains central to achieving climate-neutral and socially inclusive cities,” he added. “Relocation only hides the symptoms – it doesn’t cure the disease.”
What Baku Really Needs
According to Agmirzayev, improving Baku’s livability depends on modernizing its transport and governance systems, not uprooting institutions. He outlined key priorities:
Integrating metro, bus, and micromobility networks into a unified public transport system;
Introducing digital traffic management to optimize flow and reduce bottlenecks;
Regulating parking and private car use through pricing and zoning policies;
Boosting regional economies to balance internal migration and reduce urban overconcentration.
A Smarter Vision for the Capital
Baku’s congestion, rising cost of living, and environmental stress are real – but experts warn that turning to geographic solutions for managerial problems is urban escapism.
Building a new capital may satisfy a political impulse, but it won’t build better governance.
As Agmirzayev put it, “The question is not where the capital stands, but whether it can stand the test of modern urban management.”
