subject: The Baku Boom [print this page] While the bulk of the world struggles to shake off a persistent economic malaise, Azerbaijan is in the midst of a golden age not seen since the halcyon days of the Silk Road. Propelled by vast energy reserves and a recent rise in oil prices, the country and the capital of Baku are reshaping and rebranding themselves.
Long neglected, the infrastructure of the country was in serious need of repair when the country gained independence in 1991. With its new found wealth, reconstruction has now taken on a frenzied pace. The redevelopment plan is spending $6 billion a year in order to make up for lost time and move the city to the future. Almost 5,000 new pieces of infrastructure were completed in 2010. The historic quarter has undergone extensive restoration and a new promenade, with parks and public facilities, has been built along the Caspian Sea.
The largest projects being undertaken are aiming to rebrand the city skyline and solidify Bakus place as modern city in which business and cultural are both encouraged. The Flame Towers, three skyscrapers designed to look like curls of fire, will soon serve as a business center and hotel. Flame is the national symbol of Azerbaijan, making the towers more than just a building. At nearly 800 feet, the Flame Towers will be some of the tallest skyscrapers in the country and certainly the most iconic.
The second keystone project is the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, which will be home to a 1,200-seat concert hall, national museum, library, and an outdoor cultural plaza. Designed by Zaha Hadid, the 970,000-square-foot centers fluid form is typical of architects style.
Along with the rejuvenation of Baku hotels too are renovating and rebuilding. A Baku hotel is not just a place from which you can go out and see the revitalized city, it is an essential part of Bakus new identity. The city is bidding to host tourists, businesses, and the 2020 Olympic Games so sufficient accommodation is vital. For those wanting to visit, it might be best to go soon and beat the crowds.
