Ilham Aliyev visited Baku White City

On December 29, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, their daughters Leyla Aliyeva, and Arzu Aliyeva visited Baku White City.

Ruslan Sadikhov, Executive Director of the Baku White City project, briefed the head of state and the First Lady on the completed and ongoing works in the area.

President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, their daughters first inspected the Karabakh Horses sculpture complex. Dedicated to Azerbaijan's victory in the Patriotic War and symbolizing the nation's heritage, the complex stands in Karabakh Horses Square and features statues of seven Karabakh horses: Soltan, Urek, Sereyin, Aypara, Shohrat, Otgam, and Ildirim.

The foundation stone of the complex was laid by President Ilham Aliyev in December 2022. The composition was created by renowned American sculptor Robert Summers, known for iconic works such as the “Cattle Drive” in Dallas and the “John Wayne” statue at a California airport.

The President, the First Lady and their daughters then reviewed progress in the Babek Quarter, a 31-hectare development where construction is progressing successfully. Plans include a new park, school, metro station on the purple line, major transport hub, multifunctional public and residential buildings, cafes, children's playgrounds, and other social infrastructure. Buildings of 2 to 20 stories are also planned.

The quarter is enclosed by Babek Avenue – a vital Baku artery – and the 45-meter-wide Khagani Rustamov Street, intersecting three major avenues. Suleyman Vazirov Street connects to Babek Avenue via the Khatai metro station. A reconstructed four-lane road (over 1 km long and 34 meters wide) links the roundabout to Babek Avenue, with two additional 32-meter-wide junctions under construction. Wide 7-meter sidewalks, planted trees and flowers, pedestrian overpasses, electric vehicle charging stations, fuel stations, and other infrastructure enhance the area. Turning lanes prevent congestion, and a pedestrian bridge in front of the school provides safe access to the park and Baku European Lyceum.

President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and their daughters planted the first oak tree in Palid Meydani Park, which will feature numerous oaks, planes, olives, maples, magnolias, palms, and other seasonal trees.

The head of state, the First Lady and their daughters also attended the opening of Zaman Square and its pedestrian bridge.

Saleh Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan State Agency for Automobile Roads, updated President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva on the development works.

The 234-meter-long bridge (7–13 meters wide) significantly improves pedestrian mobility, linking Zaman Square on 8 November Avenue, Central Park from Babek Avenue, and White City Boulevard from Fountain Square. Escalators and elevators connect to the new “White City” metro station.

Zaman Square, spanning nearly 8,000 square meters on 8 November Street, boasts elegant landscaping and fountains. It serves as a cultural hub showcasing works by local and international artists. The square is highlighted by the “Seven Public Clocks” installation – seven clock-themed artworks created specifically for the project by world-famous artist Konstantin Grcic (whose similar “Six Public Clocks” from 1999 is an icon in London).

Other notable sculptures include Joseph Klibansky's bronze “Beyond the Clouds,” Simon Gudgeon's “Search for Enlightenment” on Bulvar Street (with counterparts in London's Hyde Park and Riverside Walk Garden), and the upcoming “Flamingo” by the same sculptor for Daghdaghan Park.

Once notoriously polluted for over 150 years by oil industry waste – earning it the name “Black City” – the site has been transformed through the President's initiative into a globally recognized ecological redevelopment and modern urban district. Baku White City exemplifies contemporary urban planning, launched on December 24, 2011, with President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in attendance. Designed on eco-friendly, sustainable “smart city” principles, most residential buildings are the first in the CIS to comply with BREEAM ecological certification and CRREM carbon risk assessment tool. With broad streets, extensive greenery, international sculptures, and cutting-edge innovations, it is evolving into Baku's premier area for work, living, and leisure.

The hosting of the globally watched COP29 headquarters in “Baku White City” held symbolic importance, underscoring Azerbaijan's contributions to the international climate agenda, including ecology and greening efforts.