The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughters Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva were at "Baku White City" on December 29.
Medianews.az reports that Ruslan Sadikhov, the executive director of the "Baku White City" project, informed the head of state and the first lady about the work carried out here and currently being implemented.
President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughters first got acquainted with the "Karabakh horses" sculpture complex. This complex, dedicated to our Victory in the Patriotic War and a symbol of our national heritage, is erected in the "Karabakh horses" square. The complex includes sculptures of seven Karabakh horses named "Soltan," "Ürək," "Sereyin," "Aypara," "Şöhrət," "Ötqəm," and "İldırım."
The foundation of this complex was laid by President Ilham Aliyev in December 2022. The composition was created by American sculptor Robert Summers. His works such as "Cattle Drive" in Dallas and "John Wayne" at the California airport are world-renowned.
Then the head of state, the first lady, and their daughters familiarized themselves with the works being carried out in the Babek quarter of "Baku White City." Currently, work on the implementation of this project is successfully continuing. A new park, a school building, a new station on the metro's purple line, a large transport hub for passengers' convenience, as well as multifunctional non-residential, public, and residential buildings are planned to be constructed in the quarter covering an area of 31 hectares. Cafes, children's playgrounds, and other social infrastructure will be created in the area. In addition, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 20-story buildings will be constructed nearby.
The quarter is surrounded by Babek Avenue, an important transport artery of Baku, the "White City" framework, and Khagani Rustamov Street, which is 45 meters wide and intersects with three major avenues. Suleyman Vezirov Street, located in the southern part of the quarter and passing through the metro's "Khatai" station, also connects with Babek Avenue. The four-lane road from the roundabout on this street to Babek Avenue, with a width of 34 meters and a length of over 1 kilometer, has been reconstructed. Currently, work is ongoing on the construction of two additional 32-meter-wide road junctions connecting Suleyman Vezirov Street with Babek Avenue. Along this street, wide 7-meter sidewalks for pedestrians have been laid out, trees and flower bushes have been planted, aboveground pedestrian crossings, charging stations for electric cars, gas stations, and other necessary infrastructure have been established. To ensure smooth vehicle traffic and prevent congestion, turning and reversing lanes have been provided where necessary. As part of the project, a pedestrian bridge has been installed in front of the school to facilitate pedestrians' comfortable movement to the park and Baku European Lyceum.
President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughters planted the first oak trees in the Palid Square Park.
It should be noted that a large number of oak, plane, olive, maple, magnolia, palm, and other seasonal trees are planned to be planted in the park.
The head of state, the first lady, and their daughters also took part in the opening of Zaman Square and the pedestrian bridge there in "Baku White City."
Saleh Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of the State Agency of Automobile Roads of Azerbaijan, informed President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva about the work done.
The bridge, with a length of 234 meters and a width ranging from 7 to 13 meters, will play an important role in ensuring the comfort of pedestrians in "Baku White City." Pedestrians will be able to easily reach Zaman Square on 8 November Avenue, the Central Park area from Babek Avenue, and White City Boulevard from Fountains Square via the bridge. Escalators and lifts installed on the bridge will provide access to the metro's new "White City" station.
Zaman Square, located on 8 November Street and covering an area close to 8,000 square meters, is surrounded by beautiful landscaping and fountain complexes. It has turned into a venue for art and culture enthusiasts. Many works by prominent local and foreign artists are exhibited in the square. The square is decorated with the "Seven Public Clocks" composition, a 7-hour-long installation created by the world-famous artist Konstantin Krik specifically for the "Baku White City" project. The same art installation titled "Six Public Clocks," created by Konstantin Krik in 1999, is currently located in London and has become one of its famous symbols.
The bronze composition "Above the Clouds" by Josef Klibansky located in the square is also met with great interest. The sculpture "In Search of Light" by contemporary British sculptor Simon Gadczen has been installed on Bulvar Street, one of the main streets of White City. This sculpture has been installed in various public places worldwide, including London's "Riverside Walk Garden" and "Hyde Park." Simon Gadczen's work "Flamingo," specially created for "Baku White City," will soon decorate the Dagdagan park here.
It should be noted that this area was once known as "Black City" due to extreme pollution from over 150 years of oil industry waste and the creation of numerous oil ponds. At the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan, this area has been transformed worldwide into a rare ecological project and a modern residential complex. The "Baku White City" project is one of the brightest examples of modern urban planning concepts globally. The implementation of the project began on December 24, 2011, with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva. The project was developed on the principles of environmentally friendly, sustainable, and "smart city." Most residential buildings were designed, for the first time among CIS countries, in accordance with the BREEAM international environmental certification standard and CRREM carbon risk assessment requirements. "Baku White City," equipped with spacious internal streets, greenery areas, modern international sculptures, and designed by considering the latest urban planning innovations, is transforming into the most modern space in the capital for work, living, and recreation.
The fact that the headquarters of COP29, which is in the spotlight of the whole world, is precisely in "Baku White City" also carried symbolic significance. This was an important display of ecological work, including greening, carried out in Azerbaijan, which makes significant contributions to the international climate agenda.
***
12:19
The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughters Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva were at "Baku White City" on December 29.
Medianews.az reports that the head of state, the first lady, and their daughters familiarized themselves here with the "Karabakh horses" sculpture complex and the works being carried out in the Babek quarter, planted the first oak trees in Palid Square Park, and took part in the opening of Zaman Square and the pedestrian bridge there.
