Uzbek-style renovation: What do "Sputnik" residents think about the large-scale demolition and relocation?

Uzbekistan, Tashkent – According to AN Podrobno.uz, renovation has begun in the "Sputnik" neighborhood of the Yangihayot district in Tashkent. Authorities plan to demolish 409 old two-story houses and replace them with a modern dendropark. Residents will be relocated to a new district nearby, which is set to feature 93 high-rise buildings containing over 13,000 apartments.

https://podrobno.uz/cat/obchestvo/renovatsiya-po-uzbekski-chto-dumayut-zhiteli-sputnika-o-massovom-snose/2024-11-28 08:13:22

The construction of the complex commenced on November 26. A ceremonial event was held to mark the occasion, featuring a lottery for apartments in the new buildings. Surprisingly, residents of "Sputnik" reported that they were not invited to the event. In conversations with a Podrobno.uz correspondent, many expressed that they learned about the renovation project for the first time from neighbors or random sources. There were no notifications from the local administration regarding the start of the work. To find out what people think about the upcoming mass demolition and relocation, read our article.

A Long-Lasting Story

Discussions about the demolition of the famous "wooden houses" have been ongoing for quite some time, leading residents of "Sputnik" to approach the new project with skepticism. One resident mentioned in a conversation with a Podrobno.uz correspondent that this had been announced two years ago, but nothing progressed beyond that.

"Nothing has been demolished, and there has been no concrete information. We were not informed about the new renovation or where we would be relocated. We continue to live as we always have. This is like a small village for us," said a man named Vyacheslav.

Elena, who has lived in "Sputnik" since 1966, shared that the houses were built in just six months after the Tashkent earthquake:

"We were told it was temporary, at most five years. Almost 60 years have passed, and we are still here."

Gennady, another resident, also recalled first hearing about the demolition of the houses during the Soviet era.

"We heard about the demolition back in the 85-89 years. They wanted to build a five-story building for 'Sputnik,' but nothing was ever constructed. They gathered people, and one person even went to Moscow, where they were told: 'You are not on the list.' So we remained in these houses."

Pros and Cons

According to Vyacheslav, the conditions in these houses are not ideal, but the residents are not overly concerned—they have gotten used to it.

"Everything runs on electricity; there's no gas. We have heating issues in winter. It comes through the air, so it constantly cools down. If it were underground, it would be more reliable. And if the power goes out, the heating stops too—everything is interconnected," he said.

Elena noted that some residents support the idea of demolition. She believes that, generally, these are the ones who have not taken good care of their apartments.

"Those who care about their homes are satisfied with everything. We have everything here: water, electricity, heating. Why should I leave my home? We are well settled here. In the new buildings, as they say, the elevator doesn't work, and the walls crack. And what if they place me on the tenth floor with my 90-year-old mother? What then? Am I going to be forced to move there at gunpoint?" she asked.

Gennady responded that whether he agrees to move to a new building depends on the conditions.

"If they do a major renovation in these houses, we could live here. But they are already deemed unsuitable for renovation. If they provide new homes, I could move. The main thing is that the conditions are suitable," he said.

Among the main reasons why "Sputnik" residents are reluctant to relocate, they also express concerns about the quality of new constructions.

"There have been cases where residents relocated to new homes faced problems: cracks in the walls, faulty water supply or heating systems," emphasized Elena.

Additionally, there are significant concerns about potential environmental impacts in the area. Residents highlight that these territories are valuable due to clean air, green spaces, and low building density.

Instead of mass relocation and new construction, some suggest upgrading the existing homes. This could involve painting the facades, repairing roofs, building playgrounds, and improving electrical and gas supply.

Unanswered Questions

Residents need not worry about social infrastructure and the quality of new housing, assurances Toshkent Invest. The project includes plans for a school, kindergarten, and an artificial lake within the complex's infrastructure. Furthermore, residents are promised equivalent housing that meets modern standards.

"For example, a one-bedroom apartment in an old building will be replaced with a one-bedroom apartment in a new building. Assistance will be provided to residents in need for relocation," states the company.

However, the renovation project still raises many questions among the public. One of these concerns legal aspects. Authorities have already announced the start of the program and future demolitions, but there is currently no law regarding housing renewal. The document was put forward for public discussion in July, during which commentators pointed out contradictory clauses. Political parties have also strongly opposed the renovation project.

The new housing is scheduled for completion in 2027. As for when people will begin to be evicted from the houses slated for demolition, and where they should reside until then, nothing is known at this time. Discussions with "Sputnik" residents have not yet taken place. They plan to speak with them in early 2025.

It is worth noting that the decision to renovate the housing stock in Tashkent was made by Hakim Shavkat Umirzakov in August of this year. At that time, the city administration stated that work would only proceed with the residents' consent.