In Tashkent, metal fences and concrete barriers are being reinstalled, seven years after they were removed due to safety risks for pedestrians and drivers. The costs are covered by the budget. Urbanists warn that fences reduce visibility, encourage speeding, and could increase fatal traffic accidents. Authorities, who previously acknowledged this, now remain silent.
Most concrete dividers and metal fences on Tashkent's roads were dismantled in 2018. At that time, both the Road Safety Service and the city administration recognized that such structures posed a threat to pedestrians and road users.
However, after seven years, the barriers are being reintroduced. Through decisions signed by Tashkent Mayor Shavkat Umurzakov in May and July 2025, 8.4 billion soums were allocated for installing fences in street medians. Green-colored, small-mesh fences have appeared on several major roads.
According to open data, a tender was held on December 3, 2025, with Qarshi Stroy Sentr LLC declared the winner with a bid of 6 billion soums.
Recently, a fence installed on Mirzo Ulugbek Street was dismantled after a week. According to Gazeta.uz, the reason was insufficient height of the structure. Reinstallation is expected—this time with a taller version.
Officially, it is stated that the work aims to improve traffic safety and reduce pedestrian-involved accidents. However, experts interviewed by Kun.uz consider the decision misguided.
Urbanist Iskandar Soliev notes that the issue has long been criticized by specialists. He says that in a dense urban environment, people naturally seek the shortest routes and will still cross roads where it is more convenient for them.
He recalls that similar fences were previously installed near traffic lights—on sections up to 50–100 meters—to direct pedestrians to crosswalks. Comparable solutions were also applied in other cities, particularly in Andijan.
According to Soliev, the presence of fences can create an illusion of complete safety for drivers, psychologically encouraging them to increase speed.
Urban planner Khusan Mukimov, who worked at the Tashkent Architectural Institute in 2015–2016, points out that mass installation of fences at that time spread not only in the capital but also in the regions.
He states that such decisions do not align with basic urban planning principles and spoil the city's architectural appearance. The specialist claims that regulatory documents lack such requirements or only permit them outside city limits—on sections with high-speed traffic.
He also draws attention to the absence of a unified standard: structures vary in height and type, and it is unclear what calculations and state norms they are based on.
Road safety expert Nosirjon Zokirov emphasizes the budgetary aspect of the problem. He says that dismantling old fences and reinstalling new ones means double expenses.
He cites data showing that comparing 2024 and 2025, the number of traffic fatalities decreased by only 11 people—an insignificant indicator. In the expert's opinion, decisions are made without sufficient consultation with specialists.
Iskandar Soliev believes that instead of installing fences, it is necessary to:
He stresses the importance of publishing detailed traffic accident statistics to develop targeted solutions.
Khusan Mukimov, in turn, believes that Tashkent needs a professional transport strategy involving urbanists, architects, and relevant specialists. In his view, only a comprehensive analysis will determine where to reduce road lanes, where to open new streets, and where to change the functional purpose of spaces.
Nosirjon Zokirov adds that it is necessary to strengthen teaching children road safety rules as part of the school curriculum.
The Kun.uz editorial board sent inquiries to the Tashkent city administration and the city road safety department but did not receive official responses.
Source: kun.uz