World Bank and IDOM to Develop Samarkand Region Master Plan to 2040

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A new long-term regional planning initiative has been launched in Samarkand, where the World Bank and Spanish engineering and consulting firm IDOM will develop a spatial development strategy for Samarkand region through 2040, along with detailed master plans for several districts.

A meeting held at the regional governor’s office under Hokim Adiz Boboev, with participation of World Bank representatives and IDOM experts, identified key priorities for territorial development. Following the meeting, it was announced that IDOM had won the tender to prepare the regional development strategy and detailed plans for Bulungur, Ishtikhon, Payariq, and Kattakurgan districts.

The project aims to apply international urban planning and spatial development practices to improve regional sustainability, strengthen coordination between urban and rural areas, and introduce more innovative governance approaches.

A central component of the program is the creation of a spatial information infrastructure for Samarkand. The project, valued at US$51 million, includes the digitalization of urban infrastructure systems such as water supply, sewage, and electricity networks. It also involves the development of a detailed 3D city model and a unified address registry to improve municipal management and emergency response efficiency.

In parallel, a broader US$410 million program titled “Well-Developed and Sustainable Cities of Uzbekistan” will support long-term infrastructure planning with a 15-year horizon. All components will be integrated into a unified geoinformation system with World Bank support.

The initiative also involves UN-Habitat, which will contribute expertise in urban mobility modeling and sustainable city development approaches.

According to project participants, the combined involvement of international financial institutions, consulting firms, and UN agencies is expected to support the creation of a modern, smart, and sustainable urban development model in Samarkand, potentially serving as a reference point for other cities in the region.