President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on proposals aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of reforms in urbanization and urban planning.
In recent years, the share of the urban population in Uzbekistan has exceeded 50 percent and is expected to continue growing in the years ahead. Population growth and the rapid pace of construction are making it increasingly important to develop urban plans that meet modern requirements, preserve green spaces, protect historical and cultural heritage, and ensure the harmonious development of engineering and transport infrastructure.
To date, out of 8,604 settlements in the republic, 2,506, or 29 percent, are covered by general plans. In 2026, it is planned to develop general plans for another 154, and in 2027, for 144 settlements. Of the existing general plans, 1,044 have been converted to electronic format.
Although 275 master plans for the development of individual territories were prepared in 2024–2025, they are not centrally registered or integrated with general plans. This creates challenges for the comprehensive development of territories and the coordinated planning of infrastructure, transport systems, utility networks, and social facilities.
To address these issues, a new system for working with general and master plans has been proposed. Under this system, the first stage will involve the comprehensive collection and updating of information on general plans, the second stage will focus on their digitalization, the third will establish a monitoring mechanism, and the fourth will create a comprehensive information and analytical system.
As part of this process, a unified electronic register of urban planning documentation will be maintained. Documents that have not been registered will have no legal force. The Urbanization Center will be assigned additional tasks of maintaining the urban planning geo-information system, coordinating topogeodetic work in complex construction processes, and providing methodological support to the activities of territorial architectural and planning councils.
There is a growing need for mid-level and senior specialists in urban studies, geodesy, cadastre, design, agglomeration management, and geoinformation systems.
To address this need, it was proposed to reorganize the Tashkent Technicum of Geodesy and Cartography into the Technicum of Urbanistics, Geodesy and Cadastre. The institution will train mid-level specialists in surveying, cadastre and geodesy, computer graphics and design operators, as well as specialists in computer-aided cadastral programs.
In the higher education system, it is planned to establish a Faculty of Modern Urbanistics and Agglomeration Management at the Tashkent University of Architecture and Civil Engineering.
It was also proposed to establish creative parks in all regions, bringing together urban studies, design, and architecture. The parks will include laboratories, design workshops, software and design services, as well as platforms for onboarding, networking, and co-working. Residents of these creative parks will be eligible for personal income tax and social tax incentives.
The presentation also addressed the issue of strengthening liability for violations in the field of urban planning. It was noted that problems such as illegal and unauthorized construction, artificial delays in construction timelines, and inefficient use of land plots persist.
It was noted that the current fines do not have a sufficient deterrent effect. In 2025, 1,952 cases of illegal construction were identified. In this regard, it was proposed to increase financial penalties for such violations.
The situation in the construction of multi-apartment housing through shared-equity participation was also analyzed. In recent years, the volume of such construction has increased 2.5-fold, exceeding 11 million square meters last year. At the same time, the number of violations related to shared-equity housing construction has also increased. Last year alone, nearly 3,000 citizens suffered losses amounting to 668 billion soums.
In this regard, a draft law on shared-equity construction has been developed. It provides for new approaches to the regulation of shared-equity construction projects, the protection of citizens’ funds, and greater transparency in construction processes.
A new financing mechanism for shared-equity construction, escrow accounts, was also discussed. Under this system, buyers’ funds will be held in special accounts at authorized banks and transferred to developers only after construction work has been completed in accordance with established requirements.
The escrow system is based on four key rules. First, funds deposited into escrow accounts cannot be seized by creditors. Second, investors and developers work only through authorized banks. Third, funds are transferred to the developer after the act of transfer is signed. Fourth, if the contract is terminated, the co-investor’s funds are returned in full.
The unified information platform “Uy-joy” will play an important role in the new system. Through the platform, all construction processes will be conducted in an open electronic format, bringing together data on developer ratings, permits, project documentation and construction progress, escrow accounts, and contracts.
It was also noted at the presentation that data relating to a single construction project is currently maintained across several information systems. Due to the lack of integration among systems such as “UzKad,” “E-auksion,” “E-qaror,” “Shaffof qurilish,” and “Mening uyim,” information on land plots, project documentation, expert reviews, construction permits, and the commissioning of facilities is generated in a fragmented manner.
In this regard, it was proposed to introduce a unified identifier, a digital territory passport, a digital project passport, and a digital facility passport into construction processes. This will make it possible to cover the entire lifecycle of a facility within a unified digital framework.
Particular attention was paid to urban renovation issues. It was noted that the 17,000 houses built in the country before 1991 could be replaced with modern, energy-efficient multi-apartment buildings equipped with the necessary infrastructure.
Until now, there has been no single law regulating renovation processes. In this regard, a draft law on urban renovation has been developed. It provides for a clear definition of renovation zones, procedures for obtaining public consent, compensation and resettlement mechanisms, investor obligations, and the powers of state bodies.
Through renovation projects, it is planned to renew the outdated housing stock, create safe and comfortable living conditions for the population, modernize engineering and communication networks, and expand green areas and social infrastructure.
The President emphasized that reforms in urban planning and urbanization must be based on the principles of creating a comfortable living environment and ensuring sustainable development.
Responsible officials were instructed to digitalize general and master plans, launch the unified “Uy-joy” platform, safeguard citizens’ rights in shared-equity construction, introduce escrow mechanisms, and establish clear and fair procedures for urban renovation.