Initially, at the beginning of June, courtyard improvement works began in the Turon mahalla of the Mirzo-Ulubek district of Tashkent for houses No. 1 and No. 2. Workers and heavy machinery started dismantling a playground that residents had built with their own funds. It later became known that this project was developed by the hokimiyat, which planned to place a fountain in the center of the courtyard, install barbecue grills, and organize a barbecue area.
Local residents opposed the proposed plan, submitting statements to various authorities, as well as recording a video appeal to the city and country leadership, addressing it to the 'Gazeta'. The publication's correspondent conducted conversations with residents, representatives of the construction company, and the district hokimiyat. Long-time residents of the area recall that the courtyard previously represented a green, albeit not perfectly maintained, area where a football field, slide, swings, trainers, benches, gazebos, and bins gradually appeared, many of which were built by neighbors.
Although some equipment is now outdated and, for example, metal swings do not meet modern safety standards, the courtyard remains a popular gathering place for residents of nearby houses, as well as for employees and students of three neighboring schools.
Residents note that former garages were demolished, and instead of the promised green area, there is a constantly occupied parking lot. Furthermore, the street leading to the kindergarten is often blocked by cars. These factors, according to residents, should be taken into account by the authorities when creating a comfortable environment in the area undergoing reconstruction.
A resident of house No. 1, Elena Abdullaeva, reported that on the morning of June 2nd, she saw machinery, including an excavator and people with jackhammers, destroying swings and trainers. After this, a tablet with project sketches appeared on the site, which was also published on the Telegram channel of the Mirzo-Ulubek district hokimiyat. The 'Gazeta' administration claimed that residents were notified about the work in advance, but people insisted that they were unaware of the project details.
The sketches showed that the project authors did not take the residents' needs into account. A large part of the territory was planned to be covered with concrete paving stones, which could increase heat during hot weather and worsen living conditions. Two barbecue grills were intended to be placed under a canopy in the center of the courtyard, with a barbecue area nearby, and a fountain and gazebos in the corner. A small area was allocated for a children's playground with workout trainers, and the football field was planned to be replaced. Small lawns and bushes were also added around the perimeter, and the children's, football, and workout areas were located in the open air.
Margarita Agadzhanova and Larisa Shanina expressed disagreement with the project, considering the placement of the barbecue area directly near the first-floor windows unacceptable due to potential noise and smoke. At a meeting on June 5th, attended by the deputy hokim of the district, an act was signed obligating the administration to revise the project taking into account the citizens' opinions. However, representatives of the initiative group did not see a list of owners who allegedly expressed consent.
Elena Abdullaeva emphasized that even with signatures affecting the interests of many people, the decision must be made considering the opinion of the majority of families. Olim Rizayev, a resident of house No. 1, supported this position, stating that 'The playground should become better, not worse.'
Following the protests, work was suspended, and the dismantled equipment was left in place. Nevertheless, work resumed on June 23rd. The head of operations at the contractor Class Group Builder, Bahodir Meliev, told 'Gazeta' that the initial project had been adjusted. He specified that the mahalla was included in the 'Obod Mahalla' program in November 2024, and after the population expressed dissatisfaction, an agreement was reached to preserve some elements.
According to the updated plan, the football field will be expanded, and the central slide will receive rubber surfacing, replacement boards, and a roof. New play elements and trainers will appear on the playground. The restoration of the irrigation system and the renewal of gazebos are also planned, and some areas previously used for parking may be returned as green spaces, while car parking will be organized where garages were previously located.
In 2021, 'Gazeta' covered a wave of improvement in Tashkent. At that time, the well-known Russian urbanist Arkady Gershman explained that standardized improvement is a mistake because courtyards should be unique and managed by residents. He stressed that residents' needs differ, and they should be the authors of decisions, whether it is creating playgrounds or installing trainers for the elderly.
