New Tashkent Emerges as Uzbekistan’s Vision for Future Urban Development

Uzbekistan is advancing an ambitious urban development project near its capital, aiming to create a modern city that brings together residential communities, government institutions, business districts, educational facilities and green public spaces.

Known as New Tashkent, the project is intended to support the country’s economic growth while introducing modern infrastructure and more sustainable urban planning. Recent developments include the commissioning of new facilities and the launch of additional projects, highlighting the scale of the government’s plans for the city.

According to official Uzbek government announcements, projects worth $50 billion are planned for the first phase of development. The figure represents the value of planned projects, rather than the amount already spent.

What Is New Tashkent?

New Tashkent is being developed outside the existing capital as a new urban centre designed to accommodate future population growth and economic activity.

The project covers a planned area of approximately 20,000 hectares. Its first phase includes projects across 6,000 hectares, with an emphasis on residential development, public services, transport connections, business facilities and environmental planning.

The government’s vision is for New Tashkent to become more than a residential extension of the existing city. It is expected to develop into an economic centre where businesses, universities, government agencies, healthcare facilities and tourism services operate within an integrated urban environment.

The development is also intended to ease some of the pressure associated with growth in the existing capital, although the scale of any future impact will depend on how quickly infrastructure and services are delivered.

Key Figures Behind the New City

Official announcements provide an indication of the project’s planned scale.

These figures describe different aspects of the development. In particular, the value of planned projects should not be confused with completed investment, and announced construction targets do not necessarily mean that facilities are already operational.

New Facilities Mark a Major Development Milestone

On October 12, 2026, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended a ceremony marking the commissioning of facilities and the launch of further projects in New Tashkent.

The government said seven facilities, with a combined value of $1 billion, had been commissioned. They include the first phase of the Sharq Bahori residential complex, road and infrastructure works, an electricity substation, a trigeneration plant, a Chamber of Commerce and Industry building, Sohil Bogi Park and a comprehensive school designed for 2,000 students.

The government also reported that approximately $2 billion worth of development projects had been completed in New Tashkent to date.

The newly commissioned facilities cover several essential urban functions, from housing and education to energy supply and recreation. This combination is important because a successful new city requires public services and infrastructure alongside residential construction.

Housing and Residential Communities

Housing is a central part of the New Tashkent master plan.

The first phase of the Sharq Bahori residential complex includes nearly 7,000 apartments, according to the official announcement. Additional residential projects are planned to create accommodation for future residents and support the expansion of the city.

The government has said that 20,000 apartments are expected to be commissioned by the end of 2026, potentially providing homes for at least 70,000 people. These are announced targets, and the final number of completed and occupied homes will depend on construction progress.

Alongside housing, the plan calls for schools, healthcare facilities, retail services, sports venues and recreational spaces. These facilities will be important in ensuring that residents can access everyday services without depending entirely on the existing capital.

Green Spaces and Sustainable Infrastructure

Environmental planning is another major feature of the project. Official plans envisage 2,000 hectares of green space and 500 hectares of parks.

The proposed green areas are intended to provide recreational opportunities, improve the urban environment and help create a more liveable city as its population grows.

New Tashkent is also adopting infrastructure systems designed to improve the efficiency of energy and utility services.

One example is a trigeneration plant developed with the participation of Türkiye’s MIMSAN company. The government said the project involved an investment of $73 million and is intended to provide centralised heating and cooling for 100,000 households while generating electricity.

A separate electricity substation and high-voltage transmission project, implemented with China’s Haocheng Industry Group Limited, was reported to have a value of $95 million.

Such infrastructure is essential to supporting residential and commercial expansion, although the project’s long-term environmental performance will depend on its actual energy sources, operating efficiency and maintenance.

Business Districts and International Investment

New Tashkent is also being positioned as a destination for domestic and international investors.

The proposed Metropolis business city will cover more than 818,000 square metres and include offices, hotels, residential buildings and service facilities. Around 500,000 square metres are intended for business infrastructure, with the project expected to create employment opportunities.

Other planned developments include a Deep Tech Park industrial zone focused on high-tech manufacturing and semiconductors. The government has announced $320 million in investment for its development, while additional projects worth $1.7 billion are expected to be located there in the future.

Plans also include further residential complexes, a central hospital, waste-management infrastructure and systems to generate green electricity from waste.

The government has encouraged foreign companies and entrepreneurs to participate in the development. In an October 2026 announcement, it also outlined measures intended to simplify investment procedures and improve access to project opportunities.

These measures could support investment, but their success will depend on implementation, the availability of infrastructure and the ability of projects to attract commercially viable demand.

Transport and Connectivity With Existing Tashkent

Connections between New Tashkent and the existing capital will be essential to the project’s success.

Plans include a bridge, an overpass and a 10-kilometre road linking Temur Malik Street with the 4R12 highway. Additional infrastructure projects are intended to connect new residential and business areas with transport services.

The development’s official master-plan materials also identify metro connections and wider road and utility networks as part of the long-term vision.

Efficient transport will matter not only for residents travelling to work and education but also for businesses moving goods, employees and customers. Without reliable connections, a large new urban development could face congestion and accessibility challenges even if its internal facilities are modern.

What New Tashkent Could Mean for Uzbekistan

If implemented successfully, New Tashkent could expand the country’s supply of housing, attract investment and create new employment opportunities in construction, services, education, technology and commercial activity.

It could also provide a platform for testing modern approaches to urban planning, energy management and public infrastructure.

However, large-scale city projects face significant challenges. Construction costs, infrastructure coordination, environmental management and the delivery of public services all require sustained planning and financing.

The key measure of success will be whether New Tashkent develops into a functioning city with occupied homes, accessible transport, reliable utilities, employment opportunities and public services—not simply whether buildings are completed.

Conclusion

New Tashkent represents one of Uzbekistan’s most ambitious urban development initiatives, with a planned area of around 20,000 hectares and first-phase projects valued at $50 billion.

Recent commissioning milestones show that development is progressing, while further residential, business, energy and transport projects remain part of the broader plan.

The project’s long-term significance will depend on how effectively Uzbekistan converts its master plan and investment commitments into a liveable, connected and economically productive urban centre.

Editorial note: Figures and project targets in this article are based on official Uzbek government announcements available in October 2026. Planned investment, announced capacity and expected completion targets should not be presented as fully delivered outcomes unless confirmed by updated official data.