Uzbekistan proposes creating parks on the sites of government buildings

A proposal has been put forward in Uzbekistan to create parks on the sites of former government institutions.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) —

The National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change has submitted for public discussion a draft Cabinet of Ministers resolution that provides for the creation of green public parks on land vacated by the relocation of certain government organizations and enterprises.

This resolution applies to land plots that previously housed schools, academic lyceums, technical schools, higher education institutions, clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities, as well as enterprises with environmental impact categories I and II.

According to the draft, after the relocation of such facilities, the land plots, buildings, and structures will be inventoried and assessed for the potential for creating public parks. This assessment will take into account the urban development, environmental, and social significance of the territories in question.

Green public parks, walking areas, playgrounds, sports fields, and other public spaces are proposed for development on suitable sites. Land deemed suitable for these purposes is proposed to be transferred free of charge to the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change. After the transfer, its use for other purposes will be prohibited.

The project also prohibits the construction of apartment buildings, large shopping and utility complexes, administrative buildings, industrial facilities, and other structures that could reduce the area of green space on the territory of future parks. Parking is permitted only if provided for in the park's master plan.

The document stipulates that public parks must remain open and free to the public. The project development plan includes the creation of walking paths, playgrounds and sports fields, lighting and safety systems, sanitary infrastructure, accessibility for people with disabilities, and irrigation systems.

The project also calls for an inspection of buildings and structures located on the vacated territories. The demolition of hazardous and unsuitable structures is proposed to be permitted only after legal, technical, environmental, and urban planning assessments.

Entrepreneurs will be invited to participate in open tenders to create and maintain the parks. The land plots are proposed to be leased to them or transferred through public-private partnerships.

According to the draft resolution, funding for the work is proposed to come from local budgets, environmental funds, and the Yashil Makon program, as well as private investors, grants from international financial institutions, and foreign organizations.