In the heart of Tashkent, next to the National Library of Uzbekistan, a 1.3-hectare green area is set to be converted into a parking lot. The decision was signed by city mayor Shavkat Umurzakov on September 14. The move has sparked intense debate among residents and experts.
The Capital Road Traffic Organization Center (YHTEM) announced that the project promises not only a parking lot but also pedestrian and bicycle lanes, new green spaces, children's and workout areas, and sanitary networks. The land is to be auctioned with a starting price of 514 million soums. A private investor granted a 10-year lease will be required to fulfill investment obligations and ensure maintenance, improvement, and landscaping. It is proposed that 20% of parking fees go to the city budget.
YHTEM representatives claim the project's goal is not to increase the number of cars in the city center but to regulate traffic flow and free public areas from chaotic parking. However, journalist Kobil Khidirov argues that the plan to create an 'alley' is merely a distraction, as these areas are already an alley. Journalist Muhrim Azamkhodjaev noted that while all nearby government institutions, including the National Library, are planned to be relocated to New Tashkent in the coming years, building a parking lot here makes no sense.
Economist Botir Kobilov called the project 'metaphorical' and stated that turning the city's most valuable land into a parking lot is wasteful. According to him, such parking lots serve as an invitation for more cars to enter the city center. Expert Bobur Sirojev questioned how increasing the number of parking spaces would reduce the load on the city center. According to his estimates, currently around 100-150 cars are illegally parked in the area, while the new parking lot will accommodate 300-400, contradicting the thesis of 'freeing public spaces from cars'.
On Tuesday evening, the National Committee for Sustainable Development of Urbanization and Housing Market of Uzbekistan issued a statement emphasizing that the reduction of existing green areas in the city center and the construction of structures in place of public spaces for recreation is absolutely inadvisable. The committee stressed that when organizing parking lots, it is unacceptable to allow the reduction of green spaces and deterioration of conditions for pedestrians.
Source: www.gazeta.uz