The population of the metropolitan region on the Absheron peninsula is going to rise by approx. half a million to some 3.2 million over the next 20 years. Even today, the mobility systems are overstretched, living space is at a premium, both municipal and technical infrastructure are inadequate and, after uncontrolled oil production in the vicinity of the city, the ecological situation is alarming. The Baku General Master­plan is a strategic urban development tool until 2040 – a transformation from a monocentric urban agglomeration into a smart region with strong polycentric structure. Four strategic priorities were defined and underpinned with planning-related measures: Establishment of a polycentric urban framework with regional and local centers to take the strain off the capital with a view to developing available space for commerce and residential purposes, developing the social infrastructure, setting up an efficient public transport service; improvement and sustainable development of the metropolitan environment by, for example, increasing the open space ratio in the city, re-designating space formerly reserved for industry as suitable for residential and recreational areas; protection and development of “Heritage Areas”. Baku’s old town is, despite its status as a UNESCO world heritage site, threatened by unregulated building. The downtown area is a mixture of glorious late 19th century buildings and Soviet modernism – AS+P set rules for protecting this area to focus on diversification through the introduction of economic clusters. The Baku General Master­plan was prepared in intensive collaboration with the responsible ministries and with civic participation.