Urban Development and infrastructure: Sustainable approaches to urban environment development discussed at the Investment Forum

The panel session "Urban planning and construction: modernization of infrastructure for sustainable and comfortable development", held on June 12 within the framework of the Tashkent International Investment Forum, was devoted to strategic planning of the urban environment, introduction of innovative technologies and improvement of the quality of life in conditions of accelerated urbanization.

The session was moderated by Hussam Rauf, Partner and Director of Boston Consulting Group. In his speech, he noted that by 2050, two-thirds of the world's population will live in cities, where more than 90% of the world's GDP will be formed. The main increase in the urbanized population, according to him, will be in Asia and Africa, which creates a high burden on infrastructure and requires rethinking approaches to urban planning. He stressed the relevance of the "15-minute city" concept, where all the necessary services are within walking distance, which minimizes traffic load and enhances the inclusiveness of the urban environment.

Hakan Ceyhan Agcha, Founder and Managing Director of CrossWorks, presented the New Tashkent project as a flagship initiative for sustainable urban development in the region. According to him, the project covers an area of 25,000 hectares, where about a quarter of the area will be allocated for green zones and open spaces. Special attention is paid to harmony with the natural landscape: the system of valleys and channels connecting the Chirchik and Karasu rivers allows you to use the gravitational flow of water, creating an environmentally sustainable model of the city.

Sasha Parne, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Alstom, emphasized the need to prioritize public transport. He noted that sustainable development is impossible in the conditions of the dominance of personal cars: "If each of the two million inhabitants moves by their own transport, the city system will not withstand the load." According to him, the solution lies in the development of tram lines, metro and other types of eco-friendly transport.

Manuela Gatto, Director of Zaha Hadid Architects, and Izzet Gormez, Senior Head of Investment at KOC Construction, highlighted the importance of integrating architectural expressiveness with functionality and climate adaptation. Their approach focuses on designing cities that can cope with the challenges of climate change and at the same time create an aesthetically pleasing environment.

Maxim Popov, Business Development Director at Anhor Evolution Ltd, and Varun Dave from Synergy Consulting discussed tools for attracting investment in infrastructure projects, emphasizing the importance of effective public-private partnerships, transparent regulation, and a long-term strategy for modernizing the urban environment.

The panel discussion reflected a high level of interest in the topic of sustainable construction and modern urban planning as key areas in creating a comfortable and economically viable urban environment. The presented cases and initiatives demonstrate the growing potential of the region to implement advanced solutions in infrastructure development.