Sabina Hajiyeva: Residents of historic buildings should not finance their restoration

Residents of historic buildings are not responsible for financing their restoration, Sabina Hajiyeva, Head of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, said during an event held within the framework of World Urban Forum 13 in Baku.

Report quotes her as saying since the key issue in regeneration is related to financing, the proper regulation of this process requires the existence of a specialized structure.

"The experience of Azerbaijan shows that cooperation between local residents and organizations forms the foundation of this process and practice. People living in historic buildings should not have to restore them at their own expense - this is a misconception. Their responsibility is to preserve the building and avoid causing damage to it. The government protects these monuments and districts and allocates funding for their restoration," she said.