MPs adopt the new edition of the Town Planning Code

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- How to approach the issue of urban development today? What needs to be done so that the appearance of cities and villages reflects the oriental flavor and meets the requirements of modern world architecture, as well as the tastes of our people? It is necessary to strengthen the legal framework in the field of urban planning in order to find appropriate answers to all these questions and to continue this new approach and principles.

At the regular meeting of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis held on 26 August, the deputies considered in the third reading the draft law "On approval of the Urban Development Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan" in a new edition.

During the discussion of the bill in the second reading at the meeting of the lower house of parliament, held on 5 August, the deputies made proposals for the revision of a number of articles. On the basis of these proposals, the responsible committee finalized the articles of the Code, such as urban planning norms and rules, the obligations of legal entities and individuals in the implementation of urban planning activities.

One of the important innovations of the bill is the introduction of public control over the development of master plans of settlements in urban planning activities. Now residents will be able to participate in the approval of the general plan of the city or village where they live. This, in turn, will become an important factor in preventing cost overruns in the regions, illegal buildings, and unauthorized land acquisition.

As the deputies noted, the adoption of the new edition of the Code will create a new legal basis for the development and approval of master plans for settlements, defining the boundaries of cities, and eliminating bureaucratic obstacles in this direction. The procedure and directions for the development of norms and rules for urban planning are precisely determined. Ensuring broad participation of the public in the sphere will create conditions for the protection and preservation of the environment and public health, and will lead to the adoption of the most acceptable and fair norms.

After a lively discussion, questions and answers, the draft law was adopted by the deputies in the third reading and sent for approval to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis.