On the eastern edge of Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital, a new city is emerging from the steppe. Launched in 2023, New Tashkent is designed to house up to two million people and to become a major economic and administrative centre for the country. The project spans 20,000 hectares, with the first phase covering 6,000 hectares and planned for 600,000 residents.
The scale of investment is striking: projects worth $50bn (€44.8bn) are planned for the initial phase. Authorities say developments worth $2bn (€1.8bn) have already been completed, and construction has started on ten more projects valued at $2.5bn (€2.2bn).
An independent economic hub
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has described New Tashkent as more than just a housing project. In October, he outlined plans for an independent economic centre that would bring together business, education, healthcare, tourism, and services. Fifty plots have been earmarked for foreign investors, with proposals to be promoted through Uzbekistan's diplomatic missions abroad.
Shohruh Ochilov, an investment specialist at the New Tashkent Directorate, told Euronews that the directorate has received delegations from France and Kazakhstan and has engaged with companies from China, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. At an October meeting, President Mirziyoyev urged officials to speed up construction by simplifying approval procedures and reducing administrative obstacles.
Government moves in
A key part of the plan is relocating 150 state bodies and state-linked organisations to New Tashkent. The Ministries of Construction, Transport, and Energy are already operating there, and nine more buildings are under construction for around 2,600 employees. President Mirziyoyev has instructed officials to begin moving other ministries and public organisations as well.
Umida Boyzoqova, an adviser to the Minister of Construction, said: "I consider it a great privilege to come to work every day in a city that is still under construction." The reorganisation is also meant to make public services more accessible. Elyor Komilov, a deputy department head at the ministry, explained that the future headquarters would bring departments and related organisations under one roof. "When citizens come to us, whether to submit a request or deal with some official business, they will be able to complete everything they need in one place," he said.
Homes designed for families
Nearly 7,000 apartments are complete in the Sharq Bahori development, the first residential phase, which includes landscaped courtyards and playgrounds. The 95-hectare site is planned to contain almost 15,000 homes. Nazokat Makhmudova, head of marketing at the New Tashkent Directorate, showed Euronews two show flats: a 63-square-metre apartment with a separate kitchen and a 54-square-metre home with an open-plan living space. Both feature panoramic windows and adjustable heating and cooling systems. The flats are delivered fully finished, so buyers would not need to undertake major renovations. The developer says it uses A+ energy-efficient construction materials.
Makhmudova reported interest from elsewhere in Uzbekistan and neighbouring countries. "The main customers for our apartments are people who are purchasing them as an investment in their children's future," she said. Authorities expect 20,000 apartments across New Tashkent to be ready by the end of 2026, with capacity for at least 70,000 people.
Universities, culture, and sport
New Uzbekistan University has opened facilities for 7,000 students, with research buildings and an innovation park planned for its wider campus. Nizami Pedagogical University has opened an academic building for 12,000 students and a laboratory complex; its campus is planned to accommodate 20,000. The new National Library can seat 1,500 readers and provides access to digital resources.
A $100mn (€90mn), 55,000-seat stadium is being built to FIFA standards for major international football competitions. It is expected to host matches at the 2027 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, co-hosted by Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, with wider sporting and community use envisaged beyond the tournament. Yasin Uyghur, chief operating officer of contractor KOC Construction, said sourcing heavy machinery had been challenging, while simpler customs procedures had helped with imports. "We are working in two shifts, day and night. We have reached 1,600 workers, alongside more than 50 engineers and architects. International supervisors are working with us as well," he told Euronews. The contractor has set an ambitious 16-month construction target.
Connecting to the capital
Transport links are central to the project's strategy. Eighteen kilometres of roads are already complete. A proposed 21-kilometre metro line, with nine stations, would connect with Tashkent's existing network and is projected to carry up to 230,000 passengers daily. A new bus service already connects government employees with their workplaces in New Tashkent. Construction has also begun on a bridge across the Chirchik River, while further plans include a ten-kilometre road connection, electric buses, cycling and pedestrian routes, and underground parking.
As Uzbekistan continues its economic transformation, the success of New Tashkent will be watched closely. The country has seen poverty rates drop sharply in recent years, and the new city is a bold bet on continued growth. With foreign investment flowing in and a clear vision, New Tashkent could become a model for urban development in Central Asia.
