Abstract
This study examines the urban parks within the city limits of Kutaisi. The significance of the topic lies in Kutaisi’s rapid urban growth, where green spaces serve not only as recreational areas but also as vital resources for public health and quality of life. Moreover, urban parks play an essential role in sustaining ecological balance.
In this paper, we attempted to provide a detailed analysis of the potential of Kutaisi’s main urban parks—namely the Botanical Garden, Central Park, Mukhiani Park, Gabashvili Park, and Youth Park—in the development of tourism. For this purpose, we relied on the works of prominent scholars such as Vakhushti Bagrationi, O. Chkheidze, V. Jaoashvili, N. Berdzenishvili, among others, as well as materials.
In Kutaisi, green spaces (parks, squares, lawns, etc.) cover approximately 442.8 hectares. In addition, there are about 700 hectares of forested areas surrounding the city. Altogether, this amounts to nearly 1,140 hectares (11.4 km²) of green space. If we consider only the urban area, this translates to 34 m² per person (4,428,000 ÷ 130,000). By comparison, the same indicator in Europe ranges between 18–35 m² per person. These areas, however, are unevenly distributed. At the end of the 20th century, the green space of Kutaisi amounted to 252 hectares.
Although Kutaisi’s green space provision is adequate in quantitative terms, the key issues lie in quality, spatial distribution, and accessibility. In contrast, Tbilisi offers only 5–10 m² of green space per capita, whereas Vienna demonstrates exemplary urban greening with 120 m² per person. Thus, while Kutaisi’s quantitative indicators are comparable to European standards, the city still requires substantial enhancement in the quality and equitable distribution of its green areas.
Kutaisi’s principal green spaces consist of the parks analyzed in this study, situated within the city’s historic core and central districts. In contrast, the suburban areas, particularly the Auto Factory settlement and Nikea Street, exhibit a marked shortage of green infrastructure.
Kutaisi’s green spaces encompass both historic gardens and parks as well as newly developed recreational zones. Among the most significant are the Botanical Garden, Central Park, Mukhiani Forest-Park, Gabashvili Park, and Youth Park. Yet, the city’s historic 'Royal Quarter' is distinguished by a centuries-old plane tree, regarded as one of Kutaisi’s most iconic symbols. This site uniquely blends natural beauty with historic architecture and remnants of the royal residence. While its exact age is undocumented, local tradition holds that the tree was already present in the 18th–19th centuries. Beyond its status as a natural monument, the plane tree embodies Kutaisi’s urban memory, serving as a traditional gathering place for residents and visitors alike. It is thus frequently described as 'the living history of Kutaisi.
In recent years, the Municipality of Kutaisi has been implementing the 'Eco-Smart City' project, which aims to develop green infrastructure in line with European standards through sustainable ecology and the use of innovative technologies. The project is supported by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The concept of the 'Eco-Smart City' focuses on urban development, the creation of an environmentally clean environment, and innovative solutions. Energy efficiency, sustainable urban development, and the improvement of quality of life are the project’s main objectives. The initiative involves designing green and smart solutions tailored to Kutaisi, financed by €225,000 allocated by the European Union. The plan outlines specific steps toward building an eco-city, including:
• Promotion of green mobility,
• Expansion of renewable energy use,
• Development of energy-efficient technologies,
• Improvement of water and air quality,
• Sustainable waste management and care for human well-being.
Kutaisi’s urban parks possess considerable potential for advancing recreational tourism. Nonetheless, challenges remain in expanding the number of small green squares, modernizing infrastructure, improving services, and raising international visibility. A carefully designed strategy could transform these parks into spaces that serve not only local residents but also constitute a vital component of the city’s tourism experience.