Elbek Park in Tashkent to be renovated: part of it will be occupied by the Uzbek-Turkish Friendship Square

Hearing held after work began

Elbek Park, covering 11.74 hectares in Tashkent, will be completely renovated, with part of it occupied by the Uzbek-Turkish Friendship Square. On Saturday, a public hearing on the project was held in the park, where residents of nearby buildings were able to submit proposals — the city administration promised to take them into account. Earlier this week, demolition of the old irrigation system and tree pruning began in the park, which raised questions and concern among residents; at the hearing, khokimiyat representatives assured them that the park would become better, safer and more convenient. Some residents complained that the hearing was held after work had begun, not before — according to the deputy khokim, residents were invited precisely for this, to answer questions and dispel concerns.

History of the park and context

For many years, this vast green area almost in the very center of the capital was neglected: despite the lack of facilities and lighting, people walked here, played sports, held picnics and photo sessions, and in spring violets bloomed. Volunteers collected litter from time to time, but it was impossible to maintain order through residents' efforts alone. In the summer of 2023 President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the park — the press service only reported that he gave instructions on preserving the park and expanding recreational facilities, but no work followed. This year it became known that part of the park would be named after the first president of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and in the summer the president signed a decree on renaming the section of Abdulla Qodiriy Street in front of the park to Ataturk Street.

Concept and trees

Deputy khokim of Tashkent Azizkhon Shavkatov said that the khokimiyat had been working with the Turkish embassy over the past year, and that the concept was developed by a Turkish architecture firm. The main task is to preserve the park as a quiet green zone with functional areas for different ages and interests. From Ataturk Street, a main entrance will open with a square, an arch shaped like a crescent, a monument to Ataturk and a pond in the shape of the Sea of Marmara. Initially, the crescent was planned to be 80 m wide, but it was reduced almost 2.5 times — to 38 m — and shifted to where trees are sparser. A tree inventory has begun: among thousands of trees, about 160 dried and 450–500 diseased ones have been identified (the number may grow); dendrologists must determine whether they can be treated. Another 67 trees at the site of the future square will be transplanted — a positive dendrologists' report has been obtained, and the maximum trunk thickness is 25 cm. In place of the dried and diseased trees, about 500 new perennial trees from a nursery will be planted, with deciduous trees prioritized over conifers, along with 1,250 shrubs and nearly 14,000 seasonal flowers. According to the deputy khokim, all work will be carried out under the supervision of ecologists, and the remarks of Ecology Committee chairman Aziz Abdukhakimov have been taken into account.

Paths and functional zones

On the site of the former roadway cutting through the park, a 510-meter pedestrian alley will be created with trees, shrubs, lanterns, benches, cameras and emergency buttons. The path's width will be reduced from 16 to 10 m, giving the park an additional 3,000 square meters of green space. A 1,250-meter running track with a rubber surface will be laid through the park in the form of a curved loop — the route was designed with tree preservation in mind; no bike lane is planned. The authorities intend to observe the informal footpaths trampled by residents for a year, and then pave them with tiles. The park will be divided into a children's zone, zones for active recreation (workout, gymnastics) and quiet recreation, picnic areas and dog-walking areas. Instead of ornamental fountains, drip irrigation will be installed. The park will have three main entrances but will remain open on all sides; a small parking lot will remain at the intersection of Ataturk Street and the Small Ring Road, and parking will also be possible along the MKAD.

Residents' proposals and timelines

A pensioner suggested installing drinking fountains — the idea was supported and promised to be implemented. A resident spoke about three spots where people played badminton all day and asked for at least two courts to be created — this proposal was also supported. A female resident asked to preserve the violet fields; the deputy mayor said they would try to do so. The proposal to plant trees suited to the local climate has already been taken into account in the project. When asked about funding, Azizkhon Shavkatov replied that the funds were allocated from the capital city mayor's office budget, and the work is planned to be completed by the end of November. He added that he would be glad to meet residents again in the park in a month so they could assess the result. Earlier, in August, the fences around the former residence of the first president, Ok Saroy, were dismantled: the authorities promised to make it a park open to everyone and announced the creation of a 'green route' for Tashkent.

Why it matters

The renovation affects residents of densely populated neighbourhoods in central Tashkent, who for years used the neglected park for walks and sports and have now, for the first time, gained the opportunity to influence the project through public hearings. By the end of November the park will practically change: a lit alley, a running track, rest areas and new trees will appear, and part of Abdulla Qodiriy Street bears the name of Atatürk, reflecting the Uzbek-Turkish dimension of the project. The fate of the diseased trees remains unknown — the dendrologists' conclusion has not yet been announced.