Deputies Oppose the Demolition of Houses Initiated by the Tashkent City Administration

The Tashkent city administration is planning to urgently start renovation in six districts of the city. Specifically, this refers to the Mirzo-Ulugbek, Sergeli, Shayhantakhur, Chilanzar, Yashnabad, and Yakkasaray districts. The renovation plan involves the demolition of old houses and the transfer of these territories to developers for the construction of new high-rise buildings. In return, the owners of the demolished housing are supposed to receive apartments in the new buildings. However, this initiative has faced criticism from the deputies of UzLiDeP and the Ecological Party. Parliamentarians stated that the current legislative mechanisms do not adequately regulate the renovation process, which may lead to violations of homeowners’ rights and the cutting down of trees.

The UzLiDeP party recognizes the importance of renovation programs for the renewal of urban housing, especially multi-story buildings in a state of disrepair. However, the deputies emphasize that these programs should not infringe on the inviolability of private property. Renovation should only be carried out after the adoption of appropriate laws that guarantee the rights of all participants in the process.

The renovation rules established by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 149 of March 25, 2024, essentially determine the procedure for carrying out renovations in multi-story buildings. However, applying this procedure to private homes and non-residential premises in multi-story buildings is impractical.

The deputies highlighted several points that the city administration should pay special attention to. Firstly, this concerns the need to obtain the owner’s consent for the demolition of property, as well as the payment of preliminary compensation for the market value of the property and the damage caused.

Moreover, if the lands on which private homes and non-residential premises are located are privatized, renovation is only possible under the condition of repurchasing these land plots along with the corresponding objects in accordance with the Land Code and the Law “On the Privatization of Land Plots Not Intended for Agriculture.”

Therefore, the party emphasizes the need to avoid haste in the implementation of renovation projects and to start practical work only after the adoption of the relevant law.

The Ecological Party also opposes the hasty demolition of houses. Deputies note that such projects must take ecological aspects into account and be carried out with minimal disturbances to the environment. It is also important to ensure that new buildings meet modern ecological standards and do not harm the city’s residents.

The deputies stressed that the districts mentioned in the mayor’s decree contain long-lived sycamore trees and other rare species. Based on this, the Ecological Party believes that before starting the implementation of renovation projects, the city administration must address the following issues:

Firstly, in accordance with our laws, urban planning projects must necessarily undergo public discussion, and the population must be informed about the environmental status of these areas.
Secondly, in cooperation with the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, it is necessary to accurately account for and inventory all trees and shrubs, as well as the areas of green zones in the designated renovation areas.

Thirdly, each project zone must undergo an environmental impact assessment, considering the preservation of existing trees and green areas, and the results of this assessment must be made public.
Fourthly, it is necessary not only to preserve trees older than 10 years but also to prevent their transplantation to other places to avoid changes in the ecological appearance of the area.

“We support the implementation of each project and construction work primarily without harming the environment. It is important for us that trees remain in their place, rather than demanding compensation after their cutting down or destruction by other means. No tree should be damaged during the renovation. This issue must be strictly controlled by the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change,” emphasized the deputies.

Overall, it should be noted that the issue of renovation in Tashkent is causing serious disputes. Deputies demand a more balanced approach and the development of clear legislative mechanisms that will guarantee the protection of property rights as well as ecology. Without such measures, the implementation of renovation projects can lead to negative consequences and social discontent.

The text has been translated by AI. For more accurate information, please refer to the Russian version of the article.