As previously reported by Spot, on January 20, the Tashkent city administration once again warned about the demolition of illegal constructions. Residents were advised to check the cadastral status of properties when purchasing them near roads.
Last week, raids to dismantle illegal buildings and advertising structures were reported in the Yakkasaray and Mirzo-Ulugbek districts. Among those affected were “ChaiKof,” Giotto, Oqtepa Lavash, and other food establishments.
Restaurant owners located on C-1 on Shahrisabz Street informed Spot about the beginning of the demolition of their premises. According to the tenants, representatives of the district administration arrived, cut off the electricity, and issued warnings about the demolition.
A Spot correspondent went to the scene and spoke with business representatives and the press secretary of the Mirzo-Ulugbek district administration.
Issuance of Notifications
The press secretary of the Mirzo-Ulugbek district administration, Mamurjon Parmonov, told Spot that all owners of establishments located on illegally occupied lands on Shahrisabz Street were handed notifications requiring the demolition of illegal constructions within 15 days.
According to Parmonov, the issue of illegal land grabbing in this area has been raised for several years. “Repeated warnings have been issued, fines have been imposed, which were then paid. But the problem continues to recur,” noted the official.
Photo: Azizakhon Zakirova / Spot
At the same time, Gulnoza Babajanova, who owns several premises on Shahrisabz Street, stated that she received the notification only at the last moment. “We were put in front of a fact. My terrace is included in the cadastral registry, and I pay land tax for it. Despite this, talks about demolition have begun,” explained the entrepreneur.
According to her, such situations have occurred before, and previous attempts have been made to reclaim land for the benefit of third parties. Babajanova mentioned that around 20 property owners who regularly pay taxes and utilize their plots found themselves in a similar situation.
“This location is one of the best in the city. The land is very expensive, one might even say diamond-like. And we are forced to fight for every piece of this plot. With whom? With our own government,” concluded Babajanova.
Rental through Auction
The press secretary of the Mirzo-Ulugbek district administration reminded that according to current regulations, land plots in Tashkent are allocated exclusively through electronic auctions.
“There is no way to formalize such plots as private property without an auction. The only procedure is participation in an auction. If a plot is put up for bidding and someone wins it, the right to the plot passes to the winner, and the registration occurs according to established rules,” explained Parmonov.
He emphasized that even after winning at the auction, all procedures must be followed. “Legalization outside the auction is impossible,” added the press secretary.
In June 2024, it was reported that the rental of adjacent territories for summer terraces was “temporarily suspended” in Tashkent. Entrepreneurs criticized the process of leasing plots through auctions, as it deprives them of their preferential rights.
In the summer, the founder of the Giotto restaurant chain, Kemal Kaya, referred to the administration as his main “enemy” after the summer terrace of one of his restaurants on Taras Shevchenko Street was slated for demolition.
Currently, a similar situation has arisen with the Giotto branch on Shahrisabz Street. However, this time the entrepreneur expressed his willingness to rectify the violations independently.
“We intend to demolish the illegally constructed walls and ceiling, leaving the establishment's tables,” noted Kemal Kaya.
After the demolition of illegal extensions, entrepreneurs retain the right to place tables in that area within the framework of the law.
Tashkent Demolitions
The previous wave of demolitions of illegal constructions began in February 2024. At that time, cases of dismantling objects in the Mirzo-Ulugbek and Yakkasaray districts were reported.
Among other objects slated for demolition was the summer terrace of the Giotto restaurant on Taras Shevchenko Street. The chain's founder, Kemal Kaya, noted that before the opening of the location, questions regarding the legality of the extension were not raised, pointing out the opacity of the decisions regarding demolitions.
In April of the same year, several structures were dismantled on Mirabad Street, primarily extensions to food establishments. Additionally, in May, an illegal construction was eliminated in the Almazar district.
Moreover, in November, raids against outdoor advertising installed in violation of regulations began in Tashkent. On the first day, over 1600 objects were demolished across all districts. The following day, the removal of illegal advertising structures was reported in at least half of the capital's districts. In the Mirabad district alone, over 100 banners and billboards were dismantled.
The Tashkent administration noted criticism of “chaotic and bright advertising” on social media. Owners of advertising structures were accused of creating “visual clutter” and “information noise,” which “makes 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. You can familiarize yourself with it here.
As of today, demolitions continue in the Yakkasaray, Chilanzar, Mirzo-Ulugbek, and other districts of the capital.
Previously, Spot reported that the Salom Cinema theater closed due to high rent.