Tashkent, Uzbekistan is set for an urban expansion that will see its population almost double to nearly five and a half million people. To manage this extraordinary transformation, London-headquartered design studio Cross Works has now issued its architectural guidelines, aimed at ensuring the brand new cityscape is developed in line with its vision.
The guidelines for what will become New Tashkent cover everything from apartment buildings to villas and townhouses, and from community facilities to offices and retail premises in mixed neighbourhoods or “malhallas”.
Cohesive and harmonious with space for iconic landmarks
“By providing clear principles for these essential building types, the architectural guidelines seek to create a cohesive and harmonious urban fabric that meets the functional and aesthetic needs of the communities within New Tashkent’s first phase of development, whilst also giving the new city a unique identity,” Cross Works said.
But “cohesive and harmonious” does not mean dull or boring, according to the firm, which is aiming to “strike a balance between curated uniformity and individuality, fostering a vibrant urban environment that respects tradition and embraces modernity”.
What’s more, the plan aims to avoid “overly restrictive” or “prohibitive” rules and has deliberately left out the sort of buildings that could become landmarks, such as sports stadia and entertainment venues, so that room remains for statement architecture in the future.
A 25,000 hectare, 15-minute city
Spanning 25,000 hectares and situated to the east of the existing city, between the Chirchiq and Karasu Rivers, New Tashkent will be characterised by five key considerations set out by Cross Works. These are: scale, proportion, articulation, openings and materials. They are not set in stone but will evolve over time to keep up with the population’s changing needs.
A notable aspect of New Tashkent is that it is intended to be a 15-minute city. Sometimes misunderstood by conspiracy theorists as a way for authorities to restrict freedom of movement, the 15-minute city is in fact a concept that aims to ensure key amenities are within easy access to people’s homes by foot and bike. To make that a reality, the government Directorate of New Tashkent is prioritising pedestrian and cycle infrastructure over cars.
Given that regional average daily highs hit 35°C and over in summer, the extension to the Uzbek capital will be 20% made up of shady planted zones, known to help keep urban environments cool, as well as canals and water features fed by the local mountains. Power will also be drawn from hydro sources, as well as using solar and biofuel technology. As well as visibility thanks to a “digital twin” virtual masterplan which can be updated in real time, the sustainability credentials of the project will be shown off at the MIPIM global urban festival on 11 March in Cannes, France.
