In connection with the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF-13) to be held in Baku on May 17–22, 2026, the 9th session of the “Urban Forest Living Workshop” was organized jointly by Khazar University and Ufuk Planning. The multidisciplinary training project, dedicated to the theme "Youth Seeks Home: Student Housing of Today and the Future," was held on May 4–8, 2026, in the Marble Hall at Khazar University's Neftchiler campus.

At the opening ceremony on May 4, 2026, a moment of silence was observed in memory of martyrs, followed by the performance of the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Türkiye. The Music and Arts Department of Khazar University then presented an orchestral performance. Opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Nejla Kılınç, founder of "Ufuk Planning" and "Urban Forest Living Workshop" from Türkiye and a lecturer at Ankara University, and Dr. Fakhrandah Afandiyeva, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

This marks the third training project successfully implemented within the framework of cooperation between Khazar University and Ufuk Planning. The first phase of the project was held on May 30 – June 3, and the second phase on October 27–31, 2025.

The project, led by Dr. Nejla Kılınç, brought together youth of Turkic heritage. The training program involved 10 students from leading universities in Türkiye and 30 students from Khazar University. Multidisciplinary approaches across urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, and related fields were applied throughout the project.

The primary objectives of the project were to explore the housing needs of young people and students in the cities of the future, to develop concepts for sustainable and human-centered living spaces, to analyze the social and ecological dimensions of urban development from a student perspective. Throughout the training, participants gained theoretical knowledge and opportunity to apply contemporary urban planning approaches through hands-on studio work.

During the project, specialists and instructors including Dr. Nejla Kılınç, Aydoğan Kılınç, Prof. Dr. Güzin Ayranoğlu, Bahar Dikensak, Selman Toplu, Ersin Ekici, Rashad Alakbarov, Assoc. Prof. Farhuna Atakishiyeva, and Urfan Mammadov shared their professional expertise with students, offering recommendations and guidance on the subject matter.

Within the framework of the intensive four-day studio program, students were divided into four groups and developed conceptual projects on the theme "Youth Seeks Home." The projects foregrounded students' social lives, shared-use spaces, green and safe living environments, energy efficiency, flexible architectural solutions, and the housing needs of young people in the cities of the future.

The opening of the session was covered and broadcast by TRT Avaz. The interest shown by international media was of significant importance in terms of reaching a wider audience with the ideas of young architects and urban planners.

The closing ceremony and final presentations of the project were held on May 8, 2026. During the final presentations, participants presented their projects before a jury and guests, showcasing innovative approaches to future student and youth housing models. The projects drew particular interest for their incorporation of smart technologies, ecological sustainability, and public space concepts aimed at strengthening social connectivity.

At the end of the training program, all participants were awarded certificates. Participants noted that the project provided a valuable opportunity to think multidisciplinarily about the future of urban planning and living spaces, to apply theoretical knowledge in practical projects, and to gain international experience.

The 9th session of the "Urban Forest Living Workshop" served as one of the internationally significant academic and practical platforms held on the occasion of WUF-13, dedicated to the future of youth housing.

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