Baku: Michael Mehaffy, a prominent American urbanist and architectural theorist, has praised Baku's efforts in creating new urban spaces centered on pedestrians and human-scale development. In an interview with AZERTAC, Mehaffy, who serves as the Executive Director of the Sustasis Foundation, highlighted the city's ongoing large-scale transformations as impressive.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Mehaffy emphasized the importance of preserving Baku's historical heritage and local identity while integrating modern development projects. He noted that the city's focus on pedestrian-friendly and human-scale design is crucial for creating a comfortable urban environment. The World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13) was referenced as a significant platform for discussing sustainable urban development and modern city planning approaches.