"© Prestel Verlag ... and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture"--Colophon.

Includes bibliographical references.

Preface / by His Highness the Aga Khan -- Introduction / Luis Monreal -- From History to the Present. The Islamic garden : Genesis, forms and distribution / Attilio Petruccioli ; Nature and history of the gardens of Islam / Laurie Olin, Abdallah Tabet ; Islamic gardens, environmental ethics and value pluralism / James L. Wescoat Jr. ; A landscape design perspective / Thomas L. Woltz -- Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme : Parks and Gardens. With those who will walk these paths in the future / Shiraz Allibhai ; How parks can impact personal well-being and stimulate socio-economic development / Cristina de Borbón, Jurjen van der Tas ; From monument to territory / Aliza Sovani -- Case Studies. Historic Parks and Gardens. Humayun's Garden-Tomb, Delhi ; Babur's Garden, Kabul ; Timur Shah Park, Kabul ; Qutb Shahi Heritage Park, Golconda, Hyderabad -- Contemporary Parks in Historic Settings. Al-Azhar Park, Cairo ; Chihilsitoon Garden, Kabul ; Sunder Nursery, Delhi ; National Park of Mali, Bamako -- Gardens Celebrating Cultural Identity and Pluralism. Aga Khan Park, Toronto ; Aga Khan Centre Gardens, London ; Aga Khan Garden, Alberta ; Khorog City Park, Khorog -- Acknowledgements -- Biographies.

"For centuries the garden has served as a central element in Muslim culture, but also in the development of modern cities. The gardens created by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, seen in this fascinating book, show how these urban oases are catalysts for positive economic, social and cultural change. They encourage ethical ideals of stewardship, ecology and beauty in the built environment. Several authors trace the history of Islamic gardens and help clarify the environmental and design ethos of Islam. Texts also explain the beneficial sociological and economic impact of urban parks and gardens. Twelve specific projects from the Trust's portfolio illustrate these principles."--Back cover.