Restoration work has begun on a body of water located near the Oliy Majlis Legislative Chamber in the center of Tashkent. A correspondent from 'Gazeta' visited the site where construction activities are currently taking place.
This body of water, which was previously part of the National Park of Uzbekistan, covered an area of 3 hectares, included an island and a fountain, but was drained in the spring of 2020. One year prior to that, another large lake (reservoir) of the National Park was drained for the purpose of building Magic City.
The amusement park, built in 2021, included a fountain that occupied part of this reservoir (visible in the right satellite image). The reservoir was refilled with water in 2022 when the updated National Park was opened. Both bodies of water are fed by the Anhor canal.
In 2020, plans were made to create a Light House ('Mayak') restaurant complex with an observation tower on the small lake's island, but this plan was not implemented. In 2021, construction began on a new building for the National Academic Drama Theater on the same territory, completion of which was planned before 2023.
The client for this project was the Directorate of the International Business Center Tashkent City under the government, and the general contractor was appointed as Enter Engineering PTE, while the general designer was Oil and Gas Design. This project was also suspended.
Recently, the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change presented a visualization of the lake project near the Legislative Chamber. 'Gazeta' confirmed that the lake restoration will take place as part of the nationwide 'Clean Air' initiative, approved by a presidential decree in March, with the aim of improving the local microclimate, reducing dustiness, and increasing air quality.
According to the presented render, two large fountains may appear in opposite corners of the lake, connected by pedestrian paths, and an arch with a mirrored coating is planned for one of the corners. Currently, earthworks are underway at the site, and it is not yet known how closely the final result will match the sketches.
A total of twelve artificial water bodies are planned for construction in the capital of Uzbekistan. Previously, 'Gazeta' reported on projects in locations such as near the airport (Kumaryk mahalla), near Victory Park, in Uchtepinsky district, in the Botanical Garden, and on the territory of the former Silk Industry Research Institute.
Furthermore, on the other side of the Legislative Chamber building, a building for the National Museum of Uzbekistan is being constructed on the territory of the National Park. The design for this museum was developed by the renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando, and the concept for its exhibition was prepared by the German bureau Atelier Brückner. The museum will also be partially surrounded by water features.
