Khanlar Aghalarov: Boulevard expansion to create unified public space along Baku coastline

Further expansion of the Seaside Boulevard and the green belt along the Caspian Sea coastline will provide the city with access to the sea through a large public space, Chairman of the Board of the Seaside Boulevard Administration Khanlar Aghalarov said in an interview with Report news agency and ARB TV.

He recalled that in 2012, the boulevard was expanded toward what is now Flag Square, Bayil and the Water Sports Palace, while in 2015, it was extended toward what is now White City Boulevard.

According to the head of the Administration, the plans for further expansion outlined in Baku's Master Plan continue this development and are in line with the approach to expanding green areas in the capital that has been pursued in recent years.

"How could the role of Baku Boulevard change in this regard? It should be taken into account that its location and form are unique: it is a large-scale public space stretching across the city center. If the boulevard connects such distant parts of Baku as Zigh and Bibi-Heybat, it will become not simply a place people visit, but a major public corridor and green belt within the city," he said.

Aghalarov also emphasized the importance of the process in terms of strengthening Baku's connection with the Caspian Sea. He stressed that Baku's history, economy and very identity are closely linked to the Caspian.

"Further expansion of the boulevard and the green belt along the coastline means that the city's access to the sea will be provided through a large public space. This is also extremely important in terms of environmental and climate resilience. In modern urban planning, the proximity of water bodies and green areas - the so-called blue-green infrastructure - has a significant impact on environmental sustainability. Expanding this belt will affect the area's microclimate, temperature levels, air quality and biodiversity, while also making green and natural spaces more accessible to people," Aghalarov added.