Uzbekistan plans to transform Samarkand into an environmentally sustainable, climate-resilient, and modern green city in Central Asia.
The “Green Samarkand” model was reviewed during a government meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on July 6.
Under this model, specific environmental targets are planned to be achieved in Samarkand by 2030. These include preventing the emission of 51.2 thousand tons of atmospheric pollutants, reducing PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 50 percent through the installation of dust and gas cleaning equipment at industrial and energy facilities, reducing construction dust by 80 percent, cutting vehicle emissions by 50 percent, halving the volume of waste sent to landfills, and increasing the share of green spaces in populated areas to an average of 30 percent.
To implement the project, a “Yashil Samarkand” Project Office will be established with the participation of the Samarkand Regional Administration and the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change. The office will coordinate activities in the areas of urban planning, ecology, transport, construction, tourism, industry, and public utilities.
A special environmental and urban planning regime will be introduced in Samarkand, establishing green building requirements for new and reconstructed facilities. Under these requirements, the use of energy- and water-saving technologies, the introduction of waste sorting and recycling systems, improved resource efficiency, and the prevention of the commissioning of facilities that do not meet environmental standards will become standard practice.
In the transport sector, a transition to an environmentally friendly mobility model is planned for Samarkand. To this end, 50 modern high-capacity electric buses will be purchased, 150 new traffic lights will be installed at intersections, and measures will be taken to complete the transition of public transport and taxi services to electric vehicles by 2030. In addition, a “Park & Ride” system will be introduced, green tourist zones with pedestrian priority will be created, and private vehicle access to the city center will be gradually reduced.
To develop water and green infrastructure, at least four artificial lakes and reservoirs will be created in Samarkand, along with at least one in each of the region’s district centers. In Samarkand, 10 new fountains will be built, while the infrastructure of existing fountains will be modernized. In addition, an irrigation canal system with a total length of 319 kilometers will be constructed and restored.
To establish a protective green infrastructure around the city, a 102.7-kilometer green belt covering 3,532 hectares will be created along the New Grand Ring Road. The green belt is intended to reduce dust and hot air flows, improve air quality, create a natural protective zone around the city, and strengthen climate resilience.
In terms of urban planning, the development of “Green City Samarkand” across an area of 300 hectares is envisioned. The area will accommodate residential, office, service, tourism, and public infrastructure facilities built in accordance with international green city standards.
To reduce the environmental impact of industrial facilities, best available technologies, “Zero Visible Emission” systems, and digital environmental monitoring will be gradually introduced in the green industrial zone. Green belts will be established around existing industrial zones, and measures will be taken to relocate eight Category I and II industrial enterprises that pose a serious threat to public health outside the city.
As a result, Samarkand will become a center for ecotourism, green investment, and sustainable urban solutions.
The project will establish the organizational, financial, and practical foundations for positioning Samarkand as the “Capital of Green Investment and Innovation of Central Asia.”
