Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is poised to become the largest city in Central Asia, as per to a report by consulting company Commonwealth Partnership. The city's potential growth is attributed to rapid urbanization and population expansion, paving the way for new business zones alongside existing clusters.
The report anticipates an increase in office real estate, projecting 2.15mn square meters by 2035, a staggering 460% growth from the current capacity. To attract businesses to these areas, the report emphasizes the need to address various challenges.
As of July 1, Tashkent had a population of just under 3mn, and if current growth rates persist, it could reach 4mn by 2035 and exceed 5mn by 2050. The city's population density, at 68 people per hectare, rivals other megacities like London and Hong Kong. The housing provision per capita stands at 22.8 square meters.
The Tashkent-2030 strategy outlines plans to increase annual housing construction to 44,000 apartments, mainly outside the Moscow Ring Road. The report suggests a more active construction of economy and comfort-class housing, which accounted for 48% of new square meters commissioned since 2020.
The city currently faces a notable division between low-rise and high-rise structures. The construction of "New Tashkent" in the southeast aims to shift the center of population density to the east, alleviating transport loads from the city center. Plans for "New Tashkent" include relocating administrative bodies and creating up to 200,000 jobs.
However, the report emphasizes the importance of addressing demand for areas remote from the city center and developing housing to support business functions. Transparency in plans for "New Tashkent" is seen as crucial for citizens and potential investors.
Infrastructure renewal is a priority for redevelopment, with a focus on resolving challenges to the city's growth. Communal infrastructure deterioration and insufficient maintenance are cited as hurdles. Involvement of foreign companies like SUEZ and Veolia aims to address engineering communication issues, but regulatory difficulties hinder new concessions.
The report also highlights a surge in the number of cars over the past four years, expected to grow by 120% by 2035. This could lead to increased traffic congestion, parking shortages, and environmental concerns. The report suggests measures such as paid entry into the city center, paid parking, and the development of public transport to mitigate these issues, contingent on stability and service quality.
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