Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 5 September, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with the draft master plan for the city of New Tashkent.

Today almost 5 million people live and work in Tashkent. A lot of new housing and other facilities are being built, and the burden on infrastructure is increasing. At the same time, there is a need to build 20 thousand apartments, more than 40 schools, kindergartens and clinics annually. Given the current rate of urbanization, further population growth is expected in the coming years.

The head of our state, who pays special attention to these issues, who set the task of defining plans for the development of Tashkent for 15-20 years in advance. In accordance with them, the construction of a new city outside the capital began on the basis of modern achievements in architecture.

On 20 July, a Presidential Decree was adopted on measures to build the city of New Tashkent. In accordance with it, a Coordinating Council headed by the Prime Minister and a directorate were formed. The post of Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Communal Services, responsible for the project, has been introduced.

For the implementation of a large-scale project, 19 thousand 720 hectares of land were selected in the Yukorichirchik and Urtachirchik districts of Tashkent region. At the first stage, it is planned to build housing and infrastructure facilities for 100,000 residents on an area of 2.5 thousand hectares. The Directorate has attracted leading foreign companies and, on the basis of practices successfully tested in developed countries, is developing a master plan, industry plans and targeted programs.

The presentation of the draft master plan took place today at the state unitary enterprise "ToshkentboshplanLITI". The Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Communal Services - Director of the Directorate for the Construction of the City of New Tashkent reported on the ongoing work in the areas of providing the future city with infrastructure, building roads and bridges, developing engineering, urban planning and architectural solutions.

In the project, special attention is paid to environmental friendliness, comfort and energy efficiency, ensuring the harmony of active economic and social life, rational connection of transport communications with the capital.

It is envisaged that New Tashkent will be "smart" and "garden city". The administrative center will house government departments, the University of New Uzbekistan, a library, a historical museum, and palaces of culture. As well as business and innovation quarters, clusters of education, medicine and tourism. A central park, artificial canals and lakes between blocks, alleys along the Chirchik and Karasu rivers, as well as conditions for people’s recreation will be created on an area of 420 hectares. The Green Belt of Tashkent project also starts here.

Projects of city components are being developed by 20 leading companies from countries such as Singapore, Great Britain, China, Germany, Turkey, the Netherlands, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. The head of state noted the need for infrastructure to meet advanced standards.

- For thirty-two years of our independence, we are building such a city for the first time, attracting leading companies to this. However, do our spheres and standards correspond? - Shavkat Mirziyoyev posed the question. – They should be in harmony with modern projects. That is why even now it is necessary to improve laws and standards in construction, energy, irrigation, transport and all related areas in accordance with the highest world standards.

The President gave instructions on completing detailed design by the end of the year, identifying designers and construction organizations for the first stage facilities.

- Why do we consider the project gradually, over and over again? Because this city should serve our people for hundreds of years. People should be in the first place, it is necessary to take into account the future construction. If the first stage is implemented to perfection, this will be a guide, the head of state said.

The need to think in advance about the operation of future buildings and infrastructure, and the training of relevant specialists was emphasized.