History of development of city gardens

Could say, there were not almost any gardens and squares in Baku. It was considered as one of the most not green cities. The reason was acute shortage of water.
It was not paid attention to this question in the plans for development and accomplishment of the city, though the first architect of Baku Khasimbey Hajibabekov provided for complex erection of the streets, squares, parks, gardens and boulevards in his projects.
Trying to solve the problem of planting of greenery in Baku in 1895, Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev founded a school of gardeners and flower-growers in the suburban settlement of Mardakan, laid the foundation of an experimental grove. It must be said that a few years later, the graduates of school developed into a group of qualified experts that were of benefit a great deal for the native city.
Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev also took active part in the solution to the problem of supply of the city with water. With that end in view, in 1916 Baku shollar water-pipe was constructed, the grand opening of which took place at the spring "Nakhir-bulag" on the 18th of February, 1917.
The system of green fields forming on the territory of Baku and other populated areas of ?bsheron is a result of long evolution expressing in creation of squares, gardens, boulevards, parks and forest-parks in the complicated natural-climatic conditions of the South of the country. The up-tempo of spatial expansion of the system of planting greenery is typical especially for the post-war period. The area of green plantings in Baku increased from 261 up to 3125 ha, i.e. almost 12 times more. Large green tracts were founded during this period at the city boundaries of Baku - on Bayil slope, Ahmadli plateau, Bilajari descent, and also green plantings in Absheron (1150 h?), including in the north of the peninsula (2900 ha). Since 1880 till 1980 the area of all categories of green plantings increased from 3,02 ha up to 9520 ha.
One should attribute the transformations of Sea Front (Seaside Boulevard), Park of the Republican Stadium, Boulevard named Fizuli, Park named Nizami, Mountainous Park, square opposite the Cabinet, square-area of Fountains to the number of the most interesting architectural-landscape works conducted in Baku at that time. Large green tracks were created at the suburbs of the city during this period: “Khalglar Dostlugu” Park was founded at the zone of beach Shikhov, 170 ha in area; Zones, adjoining the high-speed transport highway "Baku-Airport" – Bayil and Patamdar slopes, Ahmadli plateau, Olive Track, Bilajari descent, etc., formed a unified landscape-ecological system, are extending, being reconstructed and equipped with modern conveniences.
Big changes began to happen in the green construction of Baku especially since the seventies. Having united the rest zones of inhabitants of Baku and Sumgayit, the green track 1000 h? in area stretched out in the region of Lake Djeyranbatan. Having transformed the landscape of Mountainous plateau, a large park was founded in the area of Lake Ganli-gol, behind the crest of Baku amphitheater. Park “Khalglar Dostlugu” was created, and it blended organically with natural landscape of the region addressed to the sea. Forth, it is connected with green plantings located on Sabail slope and further with a forest-park of Lake Ganli-Gol. Foundation of such a special green belt is sanitary protection against the west and south-west prevailing in Baku.
For seventies the area of green plantings increased more than 3 times and it reached to 11165,7 ha in 1984. The area of green plantings for general use reached to 7185,1 ha that is about 65 per cent from all the territory of green plantings in the city.
The role of parks in the landscape-ecological system of Baku is increasing greatly at present stage. Along with existing parks of the city, the new ones are formed, as a rule, surpassing the former on the scale. Interesting park tracts are being formed in the various districts of Baku. It is well-known to citizens of Baku so-called English park, located on the slope, below Mountainous park and separated by a narrow street. Some parks were formed in the district of Nasimi: Dede Gorgud Park and Durnalar Park (former Park of Officers and Park of Pioneers).
Last years parks named in honour of Heydar Aliev have been laid out in various districts and microdistricts of the city.
The problem of gardening in Baku has not resolved completely yet. One of the major tasks still remains to create an external windbreak for protection of the city from winds and to organize places of mass country rest.