Uzbekistan's Presidential Administration to review controversial Tashkent construction projects

Tashkent residents are expressing justifiable outrage over construction projects that are destroying neighborhood courtyards, trees, children's playgrounds, and sports facilities, according to Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of the Presidential Administration. Mirziyoyeva visited the Lolazor neighborhood in Tashkent's Mirabad district, an area where residents have been protesting the replacement of public amenities with "modern" buildings.

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Tashkent residents are justifiably outraged by construction projects that are destroying their neighborhood courtyards, playgrounds and sports facilities.

Residents like Yevgeniya Muminova have voiced their concerns on social media, highlighting that proposed buildings are significantly taller than permitted, with no public consultations held. Muminova noted that the Mirabad district Prosecutor's Office found no violations despite a multi-story building being constructed under a permit for a single-story structure. Residents' requests for investigations into the legality of replacing a playground with a parking lot were met with responses confirming the existence of a construction permit.

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According to the project documentation, the building will be 27.5 meters tall, equivalent to a nine-story building. No public consultations were held.

Another resident, Anatoly Osipov, reported that young trees he had nurtured for three years were "barbarically" cut down. Mirziyoyeva acknowledged the destruction of trees planted by residents and the planning of a business center on a children's playground site. She stated that public spaces should serve their intended purpose and not be repurposed for office or residential developments.

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The Mirabad district Prosecutor’s Office found no violations despite a multi-story building being constructed under a permit issued for the reconstruction of a one-story structure.

In response to the widespread complaints, Mirziyoyeva announced that the Prosecutor General's Office will conduct a review of similar construction projects throughout Tashkent. The aim is to verify the legality of construction permits and ensure that public spaces are preserved for community use. Developers have previously been accused of threatening residents who oppose these projects with legal action, while authorities have often found no violations.

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The country’s authorities promised us more green spaces, children’s play areas, sports facilities for adults and even a swimming pool in every district. Why, instead, are we once again seeing high-rise buildings being constructed on every available piece of land?