University of Westminster: Giulio Verdini & Ripin Kalra; Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT): Zamira Ataniyazova & Munira Zakirova Research 2025

Green and Resilient Urban Development in the Tashkent Urban Region

Funded by WIUT-UoW Research Collaboration Fund (RCF2024-001)

The Tashkent Urban Region has undergone in recent years a process of economic integration along the Shymkent-Tashkent-Khujand transnational economic corridor, linking Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Due to its centrality, the Tashkent region has experienced major investments in infrastructure, the development of new industrial zones and rapid urban growth. While this process has brought overall economic benefits to the region it has come at a cost, raising critical concerns about environmental sustainability, water security, energy resilience and the preservation of the region’s unique cultural heritage.

This ongoing research project aims to assess the existing gaps in knowledge, institutional capacity and professional skills in the field of green growth, multi-hazard resilience and culturally-sensitive planning. In the recently completed first phase of the project, three thematic reports were developed focusing on key regional challenges: water scarcity, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, and the governance of urban growth. 

These reports will form the foundation for a series of multi-stakeholder scenario-planning workshops to be held in autumn 2025 at Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT), Uzbekistan. The workshops aim to bring together stakeholders from local authorities, academia and the private sector to map system-level inertia, identify signs of positive transformation, and collectively explore the educational and capacity-building needs related to each challenge.

The long-term goal is to establish a community of practice and a research agenda for promoting green and resilient urban development in Tashkent. It is hoped the project could lay the groundwork for future transnational educational initiatives and research collaborations between partner institutions to support sustainable urban transitions across Central Asia. WIUT is an independent international University located in Uzbekistan, offering transnational education and programmes accredited by the University of Westminster.