THE ISLAMIC GARDEN IN UZBEKISTAN: MORPHOLOGY, WATER SEMIOTICS, AND CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE
Abstract
This study investigates the morphological evolution and contemporary relevance of Islamic gardens in Uzbekistan, examining their spatial, functional, and symbolic dimensions through the lens of architectural analysis. The research addresses a critical gap in the scholarly literature: while the historical significance of Timurid-era gardens is well documented, their spatial principles have not been systematically codified for application in contemporary landscape architecture. The study employs a multi-method approach combining comparative historical analysis of Timurid gardens (including those documented in the Baburnama), grapho-analytical decomposition of spatial configurations, case study examination of the Khoja Abdukholik Gijduvani ensemble and the newly constructed Centre of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, and projective modeling of design principles. The results identify three persistent morphological invariants: the fourfold (chahar bagh) axial matrix as an organizing principle, a tripartite water choreography (channel–pool–cascade) that structures spatial sequence, and a calibrated visual porosity mediating built form and planted areas. A comparative diagram quantifies spatial efficiency ratios across six historical and contemporary examples, revealing a 40–60% proportion of hardscape to planted area as a consistent parameter. The discussion situates these findings within the broader discourse on Islamic landscape architecture, noting parallels with Safavid gardens in Iran and Mughal gardens in India while identifying distinct Central Asian characteristics including terrace adaptation and ceramic ornament integration. The study concludes with a synthesized model of design principles for contemporary application and identifies directions for future research including phenomenological studies of garden experience and digital reconstruction of lost gardens.
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