In various districts of Tashkent, the campaign to demolish illegal constructions and advertising structures has continued for the second consecutive week.

On January 30, the press service of the Mirabad district's hokimiat reported on the dismantling of unauthorized buildings located near the International Westminster University (IWU). In particular, a video clip captured the moment when a bus stop was partially demolished, which, according to Yandex Maps, housed a copy service center, a café, and a grocery store.

A summer terrace of the Timekeeper Westminster hookah bar, located on the ground floor of a residential building, was also dismantled.

The owner of the Timekeeper chain, Rashid Bogatyrev, shared a video on his Instagram page showing the demolition of the insulated summer veranda of the establishment. In the description of this post, he wrote that "the restaurant business is not a sprint, but a marathon."

“Thus, the end of this summer has come. All my colleagues in the restaurant and catering business, hang in there, stay strong. This is a moment that needs to be lived through or maybe just waited out,” the entrepreneur shares.

Bogatyrev urged people not to "complain, write, or whine," expressing hope that "this will all pass." According to him, appeals will bring "no benefit."

Additionally, on Thursday, the hokimiat of the Yakkasaray district reported on the demolition of illegal structures. The photographs showed violations related to the illegal installation of food trucks, portable structures, containers, and extensions.

Photo: press service of the Mirabad district hokimiat

Tashkent Demolitions

The previous wave of demolitions of illegal structures began in February 2024. At that time, reports emerged about the dismantling of objects in the Mirzo-Ulugbek and Yakkasaray districts.

Among other objects, the summer terrace of the Giotto restaurant on Taras Shevchenko Street was scheduled for demolition. The founder of the chain, Kemal Kaya, noted that before the location opened, questions regarding the legality of the extension were not raised, highlighting the opacity in the decision-making process regarding demolitions.

In April of the same year, several structures were dismantled on Mirabad Street—primarily extensions to catering establishments. Furthermore, in May, an unauthorized construction in the Almazar district was eliminated.

Moreover, in November, raids against outdoor advertising installed illegally began in Tashkent. On the first day, over 1600 objects were dismantled across all districts. The following day, reports of the removal of illegal advertising structures were noted in at least half of the capital's districts. In the Mirabad district alone, over 100 banners and billboards were dismantled.

The Tashkent hokimiat noted the criticism of "chaotic and bright advertising" on social media. Owners of advertising structures were accused of creating "visual disorder" and "information noise," which "make being in the city less comfortable."

The design code was developed by the Department of Digital Development and approved by the city council on October 25. It prohibits the installation of advertising structures on cultural heritage sites, in front of windows and doors of buildings, on sidewalks, lighting fixtures, as well as sound and projection advertising. You can familiarize yourself with it here.

On January 27, owners of catering establishments on C-1 were warned about the demolition of summer terraces. They were given 15 days for voluntary dismantling of illegal structures. The Mirzo-Ulugbek hokimiat informed Spot that the right to use the territory adjacent to cafes and restaurants can only be obtained through an auction.

Earlier, Spot reported that the Salom Cinema theater closed due to high rental costs.