The city of Samarkand has become the first city in Uzbekistan to improve sustainable development planning by joining the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's €3 billion Green Cities program in 2021.
The delegation headed by the managing director for Central Asia of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Zsuzsanna Hargitai announced that the implementation of the first stage of the project started during the meeting with the leaders of the Samarkand region and city administration.
Within the framework of the four-stage project, it is planned to develop the concept of a "Green City", update the city infrastructure and transport system, use renewable energy sources, ensure environmental cleanliness through solid household waste management, and support green financing. The action plan, which includes these measures, was prepared by a group of international and local consultants based on the results of the analysis and assessment of the main environmental problems, and the city's action plan for the next 15 years.
Governor of the province Erkinjon Turdimov emphasized that this project would define the strategic goals of Samarkand, which is becoming a major tourism centre, solve environmental problems, and determine investment attraction measures. Zsuzsanna Hargitai announced that more than 5 billion euros have been allocated by the bank to finance green economy programs, noting that the projects cover more than 50 countries.
“Today we have commenced the 15-year strategy of developing a "green city" aimed at improving the living standards of the population in Samarkand. And, I would like to draw attention to two main aspects. Firstly, on the basis of this project, an investment project for the purchase of the first batch of electric buses, which Samarkand residents can see in May of this year. The second is that the project is implemented taking into account the opinion of citizens. Of course, we will ask the people of Samarkand about how to turn the city into the best green city and what needs to be done for this. Their opinion is very important to us,” Zsuzsanna Hargitai noted.
The parties agreed to hold the first meeting on the project with the participation of interested parties in May of this year.
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