As previously reported by Spot, on January 20, the Tashkent mayor's office once again warned about the demolition of illegal constructions. Residents were advised to check the cadastral status of properties when purchasing near roads.
Over the weekend, the mayor's office of the Yakkasaray district announced the demolition of several dozen illegal extensions on the central streets of the capital. It was specifically noted that land unlawfully occupied by entrepreneurs obstructs pedestrian traffic.
During the raid, district mayor Nilyufar Allabergenova instructed responsible staff to demolish the illegal structures.
According to reports published by the Yakkasaray mayor's office, summer terraces, advertising structures, and other objects were demolished. For instance, one video showcased the dismantling of an extension at the "ChaiKof" cafe on Shota Rustaveli Street.
On January 24, the mayor's office of the Mirzo-Ulugbek district reported on the dismantling of illegal constructions and advertising structures. In a brief video segment shared by the capital's mayor's office on its Telegram channel, the demolition of a fence at the building with the Centrum Air Sales sign, as well as the advertising signs for Oqtepa Lavash and Bellissimo Pizza, was featured, along with several other structures.
“Raids are being conducted in the Mirzo-Ulugbek district to dismantle advertising banners. These raid activities are aimed at improving the external appearance of the capital, enhancing safety on the streets, and ensuring compliance with advertising legislation,” stated the district mayor's office.
Additionally, Kemal Kaya, the founder of the Giotto network, informed Spot that on January 23, local mayor's office employees visited the branch of the establishment located on Buyuk Ipak Yuli Street in the Mirzo-Ulugbek district to check the legality of the advertising structures' installation.
The following day, the entrepreneur obtained a passport for the advertising space and paid a fee of 337,500 sums. Spot has access to the advertising space passport and an invoice from EPIU. Nevertheless, on January 24, the district mayor's office dismantled the Giotto advertising sign and warned of the potential demolition of the summer terrace. Kemal Kaya also reached out to the Business Ombudsman regarding this situation.
Demolition of Illegal Constructions
The previous wave of demolitions of illegal constructions began in February 2024. At that time, reports were made 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 slated for demolition. Network founder Kemal Kaya noted that prior to the location's opening, questions regarding the legality of the extension were not raised, and pointed out the lack of transparency in the decision-making process regarding demolitions.
In April of the same year, several structures were dismantled on Mirabad Street, primarily extensions to dining establishments. Furthermore, in May, an unauthorized construction was eliminated in the Almazar district.
In addition, in November, raids against outdoor advertising installed in violation of regulations commenced in Tashkent. On the first day, over 1,600 objects were dismantled across all districts. The next day, reports of the elimination of illegal advertising structures were made in at least half of the capital's districts. In the Mirabad district alone, over 100 banners and billboards were dismantled.
The Tashkent mayor's office noted criticism of “chaotic and bright advertising” on social media. Owners of advertising structures were accused of creating “visual disorder” and “information noise,” which “make staying 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. It can be reviewed here.
The Business Ombudsman also commented on the dismantling of advertising structures. The agency noted that illegally installed advertising objects are subject to demolition at the expense of their owners.
Earlier, Spot reported that the Salom Cinema closed due to high rental costs.