President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was presented with the Green Samarkand model, which aims to turn Samarkand into an ecologically sustainable and climate-resilient “green city” in Central Asia, according to the presidential press service.
The project is designed for the period up to 2030. Its target indicators include preventing 51,200 tons of harmful emissions into the atmosphere, reducing PM2.5 and PM10 particles by 50% through the installation of dust and gas cleaning equipment at industrial and energy facilities, cutting dust from construction sites by 80%, reducing pollutant emissions from vehicles by 50%, halving the volume of landfills, and increasing the share of green areas in residential areas to an average of 30%.
To implement the project, a “Green Samarkand” project office will be established to coordinate activities in urban planning, ecology, transport, construction, tourism, industry, and public utilities. A special ecological and urban planning regime is also planned. New and reconstructed facilities will be required to comply with “green building” standards, including energy- and water-saving technologies, waste sorting and recycling. Facilities that do not meet environmental requirements will not be put into operation.
In the transport sector, the plan includes the purchase of 50 large-capacity electric buses, installation of 150 new traffic lights, and a complete transition of public transport and taxis to electric vehicles by 2030. The introduction of Park & Ride systems, creation of pedestrian tourist zones, and gradual restriction of private car access to the city center are also planned.
The project includes the development of water and green infrastructure. At least four artificial lakes and reservoirs will be created, 10 new fountains built, existing ones modernized, and a system of canals (aryks) totaling 319 km restored. A green belt 102.7 km long and covering 3,532 hectares is proposed along the new large ring road, intended to reduce dust and temperature and serve as natural protection around the city.
Additionally, a 300-hectare Green City Samarkand area will be developed, where housing, offices, tourist and public facilities will be built according to international “green city” standards. A separate block focuses on industry. The introduction of best available technologies, Zero Visible Emission systems, and digital environmental monitoring at enterprises is proposed, along with the relocation of eight high-risk enterprises (categories I and II) outside the city.
In waste management, the Zero Waste Samarkand concept will be implemented, including waste sorting and recycling, as well as a digital system to record illegal dumping. A roadmap for Carbon Neutral Samarkand will be developed, platforms for financing environmental projects and open monitoring of environmental indicators will be launched, and the Green Samarkand brand, Green Hotels Samarkand rating, and biodiversity conservation projects will be introduced.
According to the project authors, the implementation of the program should turn Samarkand into the “capital of green investments and innovations in Central Asia.” The president approved the proposals and gave instructions to responsible officials to ensure their implementation.
Source: www.gazeta.uz