President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughters Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva visited “Baku White City” on December 29.
Modern.az reports that Ruslan Sadikhov, Executive Director of the “Baku White City” project, informed the head of state and the First Lady about the work completed and currently underway there.
President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughters first familiarized themselves with the “Karabakh Horses” sculptural complex. This complex, dedicated to our Victory in the Patriotic War and symbolizing our national heritage, has been erected in “Karabakh Horses” Square. The complex features sculptures of a total of 7 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, “John Wayne” at California Airport, and others, are world-renowned.
Afterwards, the head of state, the First Lady, and their daughters familiarized themselves with the work being carried out in the Babek quarter of “Baku White City”. Currently, work on the implementation of this project is successfully continuing. In the quarter, which covers an area of 31 hectares, a new park, a school building, a new station on the metro's purple line, a large transport interchange for the comfortable movement of passengers, as well as multi-functional non-residential, public, and residential buildings are planned for construction. Cafes, a children's playground, and other social infrastructure will be created in the area. Additionally, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 20-story buildings will be constructed nearby.
The quarter is surrounded by Babek Avenue, a major transport artery of Baku, and Khagani Rustamov Street, which is 45 meters wide, laid out within “White City” and intersecting with three large avenues. Suleyman Vazirov Street, located in the southern part of the quarter and passing through the "Khatai" metro station, also connects with Babek Avenue. A four-lane road, 34 meters wide and over 1 kilometer long, has been reconstructed from the roundabout on this street to Babek Avenue. Currently, work continues on the construction of two additional road junctions, 32 meters wide, connecting Suleyman Vazirov Street with Babek Avenue. Along this street, wide sidewalks, 7 meters wide, have been laid for the comfortable movement of pedestrians, trees and flower bushes have been planted, overground pedestrian crossings, an electric vehicle charging station, a fuel station, and other necessary infrastructure have been created. Turn and U-turn lanes have been provided in necessary places for the comfortable movement of cars and to prevent congestion. Within the framework of the project, a pedestrian bridge has been installed in front of the school to ensure easy access for pedestrians to the park and the Baku European Lyceum.
President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughters planted the first oak trees in Oak 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 participated 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 Azerbaijan Automobile Roads, informed President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva about the work carried out.
The bridge, which is 234 meters long and varies in width between 7 and 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 located on 8 November Avenue, Central Park district from Babek Avenue, and White City Boulevard from Fountain Square via the bridge. The escalators and elevators installed on the bridge will provide access to the new "White City" metro station.
Zaman Square, located on 8 November Street and covering an area of approximately 8,000 square meters, is surrounded by beautiful landscaping and a fountain complex. It has become a venue for art and culture enthusiasts. Indeed, works by many local and foreign renowned artists are displayed in the square. The square is adorned with the "Seven Public Clocks" composition, consisting of 7 clocks, specifically created for the “Baku White City” project by world-renowned artist Konstantin Krik. An identical 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.
Joseph Klibansky's bronze composition titled "Above the Clouds", located in the square, is also met with interest. On Boulevard Street, one of the central roads of White City, the sculpture "In Search of Light" by contemporary British sculptor Simon Gudgeon has also been installed. This sculpture has been placed in various public spaces around the world, including the “Riverside Walk Garden” and “Hyde Park” complexes in London. Simon Gudgeon's work "Flamingo", specially created for “Baku White City”, will also soon adorn the Daghdaghan Park here.
It should be noted that this area was once known as “Black City” because it was excessively polluted with oil industry waste for over 150 years, and numerous oil pools had formed here. At the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan, this area has been transformed into a unique ecological project and a modern residential complex on a global scale. The “Baku White City” project is one of the brightest examples of modern urban planning concepts in the world. The implementation of the project began on December 24, 2011, with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva. The project has been developed based on environmentally friendly, sustainable, and “smart city” principles. Most of the residential buildings have been designed in accordance with BREEAM – the international ecological certification standard – and CRREM – carbon risk assessment requirements – for the first time among CIS countries. With its wide internal streets, green areas, adorned with modern international sculptural works, and designed with the latest innovations in urban planning, “Baku White City” is becoming the most modern place for work, living, and recreation in the capital.
The fact that the headquarters of COP29, which is in the focus of the entire world, was located precisely in “Baku White City” also carried symbolic meaning. This was also of great importance in terms of demonstrating the work done in Azerbaijan regarding the resolution of ecological issues, including greening, which makes significant contributions to the international climate agenda.
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12:22
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughters Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva visited “Baku White City” on December 29.
Modern.az reports that the head of state, the First Lady, and their daughters familiarized themselves with the “Karabakh Horses” sculptural complex and the work carried out in the Babek quarter, planted the first oak trees in Oak Square Park, and participated in the opening of “Zaman” Square and the pedestrian bridge there.
