Uzbekistan moves to speed up construction permits with ready-to-build land system

The initiative was presented on February 3, when President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals on new approaches to urban development and housing construction. The reforms are aimed at reducing administrative barriers, increasing transparency, and improving the overall quality of construction.

Currently, obtaining construction permits in Uzbekistan involves nine stages and takes an average of 90 to 120 days. By contrast, international practice shows that under the “construction-ready land” model, the process can be completed within 7 to 15 days. Authorities have proposed adopting a similar system domestically.

Under the new approach, all preparatory procedures and permitting processes would be completed before land plots are put up for auction. As a result, entrepreneurs who win auctions would automatically receive all required documents without the need for additional paperwork or approvals. Land that is not ready for construction would no longer be eligible for auction, and all procedures would be carried out transparently and within shortened timeframes.

The meeting also emphasized that construction quality largely depends on the standard of project documentation. In this context, officials highlighted the need to fundamentally improve the performance of key design organizations, including ToshboshplanLITI, UzshaharsоzLITI, UzGASHKLITI, and Qishloq qurilish loyiha. Plans include attracting highly qualified foreign specialists and introducing modern management systems.

To ensure effective and well-coordinated urban and housing development, broader use of digital technologies was also proposed. Among the initiatives discussed was the creation of an integrated information system, “Uy-joy” (Housing), which would include a unified database of master and general plans, a registry of construction-ready land plots known as the “Yer banki” (Land bank), a unified geoinformation database of multi-apartment buildings, an escrow system, and a developer rating mechanism.

President Mirziyoyev approved the proposed measures and instructed responsible officials to ensure the consistent implementation of systematic, well-calibrated, and long-term approaches in the sector, as well as the achievement of established performance targets.