A session of the III Tashkent Urban Forum focused on finding a balance between urban renewal and the interests of residents. The event was organized by the Association of Young Architects of Uzbekistan with support from the Tashkent city administration and the Center for Progressive Reforms.
Rustam Kadirov, deputy director of Tashkent Invest, compared the renovation process to “open-heart surgery performed while the patient is awake and living a normal life.” He stated that renovation is necessary due to rapid population growth, which increases demand not only for housing but also for schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and public spaces.
Kadirov noted that the current need for new schools is about 60-65, with each requiring at least 2.5 hectares of land. While acknowledging the importance of trees and parks, he argued that priority should be given to education. However, he added that ideally both green spaces and educational facilities should exist, and a properly implemented renovation program can achieve this.
Kadirov highlighted Tashkent's limited budget: approximately $1 billion for 2026, compared to Almaty ($5.5 billion), Istanbul ($15 billion), and Moscow ($65 billion). This disparity directly affects infrastructure development and urban environment quality.
Under the renovation program, the consent threshold for property owners was lowered from 100% to at least 80%. Kadirov described this as “choosing the lesser of two evils” and emphasized the need to balance private property rights with urban development.
Bobur Sirojev, an expert on sustainable mobility and infrastructure policy, stressed the importance of considering future load on road networks and public transport when designing new districts. He noted that residents' transport choices are determined more by infrastructure availability than personal preference.
Rushana Khasanova, head of the sustainable urban development department at Tashkent Invest, discussed the importance of a design code. She stated that uniform standards help reduce visual noise, protect historic buildings, and improve pedestrian comfort. However, the implementation of the design code in Tashkent has faced criticism from business owners, who allege pressure and threats from authorities.
Source: www.gazeta.uz