Problems of preservation of architectural and urban heritage of the historical village of Lahij in Azerbaijan

Introduction. Among the historical towns and settlements of Azerbaijan, the village of Lahij is one of the unique. Highly developed crafts, especially copper production, blacksmithing, and carpet making glorified Lahij masters not only in Azerbaijan but also abroad. The peculiar planning structure and architecture of Lahij were formed under the influence of craft production. Unfortunately, like many ancient settlements, Lahij is facing degradation associated with the socio-technical processes of modern civilization. Materials and methods. The paper uses theoretical analysis of scientific literature, graphic materials, and written sources. Research methods are based on systemic, spatial, and socio-functional approaches. Results. This article analyses the current state of the identified problems threatening the architectural and urban environment of the village of Lahij. Consideration is being given to ways of reviving craft production which is directly related to the architectural and construction tradition of the village. The article emphasizes the crucial role of tourism in the life of Lahij and its residents, noting also the danger posed by the growth of tourism. Conclusions. Based on the experience of preserving the environment in foreign historical towns, the author suggests using modern approaches in solving problems related to the management and use of the historical and cultural heritage in Lahij. Attention should be paid to the complex solution of problems considering architectural and urban planning, socio-economic and administrative-managerial issues.