Uzbekistan is rapidly transforming a vast expanse of land southeast of the capital into New Tashkent — an ambitious urban development project designed to absorb the country’s growing population while establishing new benchmarks for sustainable city planning across Central Asia. Since construction began in 2023, the project has evolved from concept into a tangible reality, with major infrastructure taking shape and substantial international capital flowing into commercial ventures.
A city rising from scratch
The undertaking spans nearly 20,000 hectares across two districts of Tashkent region, with the city’s masterplan developed by British firm Cross Works alongside leading international design practices. The first phase will develop 6,000 hectares to accommodate around 600,000 residents, with the completed city eventually hosting up to 2 million people. By the end of 2025, construction activity across New Tashkent reached 3 million square meters — a significant pace that signals serious momentum behind the initiative.
Current work focuses heavily on foundational systems: extensive underground engineering networks are being installed, including multi-section utility corridors that will house heating, water, electricity, and telecommunications infrastructure beneath the city surface. Parallel to this, tunnel construction and underground parking facilities are progressing to support a modern transportation system. These infrastructure-first investments reflect a deliberate strategy to create compact, walkable urban districts with minimal surface-level congestion.
Green city principles and transportation innovation
Environmental sustainability sits at the project’s core. A 10-kilometer riverside park system is taking shape, with over 1 million shrubs and trees already planted. The city’s design emphasizes pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, complemented by planned metro and electric bus networks. Administrative facilities for more than 60 government agencies will occupy new buildings constructed to international environmental standards, while several ministries have already begun operations from temporary offices on site.
Commercial momentum and job creation
Private sector engagement has become a defining feature of New Tashkent’s development. Commercial auction lots have generated investment agreements worth approximately 2 billion dollars, with developer commitments spanning hotels, restaurants, service complexes, and architecturally distinctive commercial buildings. These facilities are explicitly designed to position New Tashkent as a regional tourism and hospitality destination.
Employment prospects are equally substantial. Current construction activity directly employs thousands of workers, while the completed city is projected to generate hundreds of thousands of permanent jobs centered on innovation, education, healthcare, and information technology sectors.
Several residential complexes have advanced toward completion, including substantial housing developments designed to serve different market segments. A major university campus is under construction, scheduled for completion in 2027, featuring academic facilities, dormitories, and cultural spaces for 10,000 students.
Strategic importance for international business
For international companies in construction, interior design, urban infrastructure, hospitality, and commercial real estate, New Tashkent represents a rare opportunity in the Central Asian market — a large-scale greenfield project with significant capital allocation, transparent auction processes for commercial participation, and a timeline extending multiple years. The emphasis on international architectural and environmental standards creates demand for specialized expertise and premium materials. The project’s evolution from foundation stage into phased rollout means consistent procurement opportunities across construction materials, engineering systems, interior finishing, and facility management services. Additionally, as the city develops its hospitality and tourism infrastructure, opportunities emerge for design consultation, F&B operations, and leisure facility development. The regulatory framework supporting New Tashkent — including coordination councils and investor protection mechanisms — signals government commitment to sustained, predictable project execution, reducing typical risks associated with large infrastructure initiatives in emerging markets.
