Uzbekistan continues to implement large-scale reforms in the sphere of urbanization, with an emphasis on sustainable development, improving the quality of life, and introducing modern urban planning models, Orifjon Fayziev, First Deputy Chairman of the National Committee on Urbanization and Housing Market of Uzbekistan, said at a ministerial roundtable within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Report informs.
He thanked Azerbaijan for organizing the forum and the opportunity to present the country's experience in implementing the principles of the New Urban Agenda.
Fayziev emphasized that urbanization is of strategic importance for Uzbekistan, where the population has exceeded 38 million people and continues to grow.
He noted that by 2040, the country's population could reach 50 million people, which reinforces the need for a systematic approach to urban development.
"We view urbanization not as a spontaneous process, but as a tool for economic modernization and improving the quality of life," he stated.
According to him, over the past nine years, large-scale reforms have been carried out in the country: the volume of the construction market has grown from $10 billion to $25 billion, 210 million sq. m of housing has been built, and 647,000 apartments have been commissioned.
"Today, the main criterion is not the quantity of housing, but the quality of life of citizens," he added.