Jalil Eynullayev MA Architecture

The Paradox of Isolation: Sustainable development of Baku city’s public spaces

Having witnessed how people gather in small groups within public spaces in the city of Baku, this thesis explores how a condition of isolation exists, despite being in a public space. 

In response, this project develops a ‘Phasing Adjustable Framework’ which proposes a method to adapt spaces to suit different activities and social needs, encouraging greater interaction between users. It aims to improve accessibility and create a more connected public realm.

The Baku Seaside Boulevard has been selected as the primary site of intervention. Dividing the boulevard into a series of segments allows different conditions of connection or isolation to be created, linking some segments to nearby public spaces.

In this context, the term isolation not only refers to small groups of people that engage with the space, but also helps us to treat the boulevard as a boundary and interrogate how this could be broken.

The main focus is the segment near Azneft Square, the original starting point of the boulevard. Before its construction, this area formed part of Baku’s industrial waterfront, supporting the transportation and export of petroleum products. In response to this history, the proposal introduces an outdoor gallery and fishing spots along the waterfront. Inspired by the forms of historic oil rigs, these structures are reimagined as spaces for recreation and gathering, creating a public corridor that helps overcome the ‘paradox of isolation’.