Case Study: GEMMS in Azerbaijan

Following the successful outcome of the inaugural Baku 2015 European Games and its leading role in this achievement, GEMMS was invited by the Top Leadership of the country to “support the Government in improving the overall transport system of Baku”.

As a result, two major urban Transport Programs, covering a period of six years, are briefly presented below. The client was the Government of Azerbaijan. At the end, GEMMS was honored with a formal praise by the Top Leadership of the country, the first time ever in the history of the country that a foreign consultant received such a recognition for the work he has done.

a. Baku Transport Program

The program took the most part of six years and addressed, in a systematic way, all key aspects of Transport in the city.

  • It comprised more than 90 distinct deliverables and included among others:
  • Conceptualization, set up and activation of a new organization, the Baku Transport Agency (BTA), the Metropolitan Transport Authority of Baku. This included charter, organization structure, job descriptions, operating procedures, tools and techniques, etc.
  • The creation of two new arterial corridors, crossing east-west the city and providing huge improvement in the traffic conditions, by redesigning the operation of existing infrastructure, with new signalization and on-street parking redefinition
  • The redesign of more than 20 major intersections; several of those included the introduction of centrally controlled, automated signalization
  • 5 new multi-modal hubs, integrating all available modes of transport and introducing for the first time, pedestrian safety, signage, integrated information, passenger comfort
  • 4 new depots for the proper distribution of the public transport bus fleet
  • Redesign of the bus public network, including new routes, elimination of overlaps, rationalization of redundancies
  • Development of a complete bus stop master plan for the city, including also the format, design and ‘look’
  • Radically improved bus fleet with the introduction of more than 700 new, gas-fueled buses, of various types and capacities
  • 5 distinct master plans for the signalization redesign of major arterial corridors
  • Design of more than 700 pedestrian crossings, improving drastically pedestrian mobility and safety
  • Transport and Traffic Master Plan of Sovietski area, an iconic project of urban regeneration
  • Marked upgrade of the public transport system, focusing on intermodality, integration and sustainability
  • Significant improvement of general traffic conditions
  • Optimization of pedestrian safety and mobility environment
  • Introduction of a bicycle route network and pedestrianizations
  • Signalization and other improvements in transport infrastructure
  • A targeted transport communication plan
  • Capacity building with more than 30 distinct thematic in-class training courses, delivered to more than 7000 manhours. Each course included coaching and assessment, leading to appropriate job rotation and promotion.

A unique aspect of our approach was the absolute commitment to actual, complete ’on the field’ Implementation. We focused on delivering integrated solutions, rather than mere recommendations and proposals. Upon completion of the ‘deskwork’ (research, analysis, solutions, documentation) we moved directly to ‘fieldwork’. We provided specialized support by facilitating interactions between top management, government entities and diverse contractors, coordinated as appropriate. Finally, in numerous occasions, state-of-the-art, innovative approaches have been adopted emphasizing our role as a dynamic solution provider and value-adding partner.

All of the above created a lasting social, environmental and economic legacy and formed the foundation stone for the further development of the city.

b. Suburban Rail Integrated Transport System for Absheron

GEMMS has partnered with Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), to create an integrated public transport system, based on the development of a new Suburban Rail (SR) network, thus impacting the wider Baku area (Absheron). This Program extended in three years and comprised 36 deliverables, covering:

  • A new, complete Rail Network design.
    A huge innovation was that it used for the most part, existing right-of-way, by capitalizing on old train corridors. Only few, essential, new corridors were added, thus minimizing civil engineering costs and time-to-build.
  • Transformational redesign of the bus network.
    The entire public bus network of Absheron was redesigned by turning into ‘feeder’ of the Rail, which served as a ‘backbone’. Long lines were rationalized, frequencies increased, travel distances were shortened and coverage increased, giving access to more than 30% of unserved population. The vast majority of the bus lines terminated at hubs, thus not entering into the city center and reduced traffic and environmental impact. Schedules, ticketing and communication were aligned, to deliver cost-effective, quality, customer-oriented services.
  • A new Tram Train System.
    This was another innovation as it was able to use the SR network but also have its own corridors inside the city. Full scope traffic plans were developed to integrate it into city operation.
  • 17 Urban Station Master Plans
    Seven major multi-modal hubs and ten stations were designed, offering ample, safe and comfortable transfer facilities. Furthermore, every plan covered a complete urban redesign in a radius of around 500m around the station, following advanced TOD principles. These stations were the interchanges that feeder lines connected the nearby communities, thus reducing the need of private cars. They turned into ‘retention filters’, keeping local people, reducing the need to travel to the city center, upgrading the equity value and economic development through mixed uses, commercial, recreational and residential. It was applied on underdeveloped areas, which were regenerated, turning into ‘Polycenters’, in conjunction with the future land uses of the City Urban Master Plan and aiming to transform the wider station’s area into a new destination, becoming the catalyst for sustainable economic, social and environmental development, with high quality urban design, architecture and landscaping.
  • Advanced Transport and Economic Models
    GEMMS has applied for the first time in the country, integrated Transport Models feeding fully developed Economic Models. Thus, all projects had full-scale Cost Benefit Analysis, absolutely critical for the decision-making process
  • Detailed Implementation Plans, with distinct Quick Win plans
    Every project had a complete Implementation Plan, which facilitated the view at Government level, while aligning all departments
  • Integrated plans with the two most crucial entities, Baku Transport Agency (BTA) and State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture (SCUPA). This happened for the first time in the country.

Throughout the long duration of this Program, GEMMS did an expansive, in-depth, close coordination of all related Stakeholders, comprising more than twenty Government and Municipal Agencies and Authorities. This was performed at the most senior ministerial level as well as executive director and managerial level, as appropriate. A full alignment was achieved during planning and decision-making phase. This type of joint work towards a common goal has set a framework of cooperation in the government sector of the country.

Baku Central Railway Station Redevelopment

In the framework of urban revitalization of the Baku Suburban Rail program, GEMMS introduced, as an issue of high criticality, the development of a proper Central Rail Station in the capital of Azerbaijan. The “28 May Square Master Plan” analyzes the current situation, clearly identifies the root causes of the problems and derives solutions, based on a holistic approach. It addresses in a sustainable way, all issues regarding public transport, traffic, pedestrian mobility, parking and supply chain and all possible uses, including travel, education, shopping and tourism.

The outcome is an urban regeneration scheme, which not only provides solutions to all existing problems but also redevelops the broader area, transforming it into a fully integrated transportation/commercial nexus of the highest international standards and a new landmark for the city.