Section sessions were held on 15–16 October 2026 as part of the international scientific symposium entitled “Environmental, Biological, and Medical Aspects of Urban Planning: A Sustainable and Healthy Urban Environment,” hosted by the Institute of Molecular Biology of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Alongside the Azerbaijani scientists, researchers and specialists from eight countries participated in the sessions via the Zoom platform. The presentations addressed issues such as urban biodiversity conservation, green infrastructure, sustainable urban models, the impact of urbanization on human health, and environmental risk management.

The first section sessions moderated by Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Konul Bakhshaliyeva (15 October); Professor Aziz Eftekhari and Associate Professor, PhD in Biological Sciences Ulduza Gurbanova (morning session on 16 October); and Associate Professor Hasan Babayev and Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Farida Gahramanova (afternoon session on 16 October), focused on the following topics: “Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Sustainability,” “Green Infrastructure and Bioadaptive Architecture,” “Healthy and Sustainable Urban Models,” and “Innovative and Regulatory Solutions for Environmentally Safe Cities.”

The presentations highlighted the importance of biodiversity conservation amid urbanization, the impact of green spaces on the quality of the urban environment, nature-based and bioadaptive architectural solutions, and innovative approaches to developing environmentally safe cities. The importance of planning cities as living ecosystems and preserving natural components was also emphasized.

The second section sessions, moderated by Doctor of Biological Sciences Yashar Feyziyev (15 October); Associate Professor, PhD in Biological Sciences Irada Babayeva and PhD in Biological Sciences Turana Isgandarova (morning session on 16 October); and Associate Professor, PhD in Biological Sciences Nurmammad Mustafayev and PhD in Biological Sciences Gunay Ismayilova, (afternoon session on 16 October), presentations were delivered on “The Urban Environment and Human Health: Molecular-Genetic and Systems Approaches,” “Urban Stress and Mental Health Issues,” “Infectious and Non-Communicable Diseases Specific to the Urban Environment and Preventive Urban Approaches,” and “Environmental Risks in the Urban Environment: Fragmentation, Pollution, and Noise Factors.”

Scientists and researchers from Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Australia, and other countries also participated in the sessions.

The presentations addressed the impact of urbanization on human health, the risks posed by environmental and biological stress factors in urban environments, air and noise pollution, the importance of green spaces for health, and the prevention of infectious and non-communicable diseases. It was emphasized the importance of considering human health as one of the key criteria in the urban planning process.

The presentations were followed by an exchange of views, participants’ questions were answered and opportunities to expand scientific cooperation were discussed.

The section sessions held as part of the symposium provided a platform for discussing the environmental, biological, and medical aspects of urban planning within a unified scientific framework, strengthening collaboration across different scientific disciplines, and presenting new approaches to create sustainable, environmentally safe, and healthy urban environments. The sessions also generated considerable interest among participants.