ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL DIVISION AND DEMOGRAPHIC INDICATORS OF SAMARKAND DURING THE YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

Аннотация

This article analyzes the modern construction and urban development projects carried out in the Samarkand region during the years of independence. Special attention is given to the processes of urbanization, infrastructure development, and the construction of new residential complexes, roads, industrial, and social facilities. Additionally, the study examines the attraction of investments, the application of advanced construction technologies, and measures taken to preserve cultural heritage. These developments have significantly contributed to the socio- economic progress of the Samarkand region and the improvement of the quality of life for its residents. Keywords:Independence, Samarkand region, modern construction, urban development, infrastructure, urbanization, investment, industrial zones, residential complexes, road construction, cultural heritage, social infrastructure. During the years of independence, special attention was given to urban planning as one of the key components of material culture in the process of economic and cultural reforms in Uzbekistan. The procedure for developing master plans for cities was established using state budget funds and local government resources. In the formulation of urban master plans, the necessity of forward-thinking and strategic planning was particularly emphasized. The President of the Republic, I. A. Karimov, repeatedly stressed this point, stating: "The master plan of each city must be developed considering its unique characteristics, distinctive architecture, historical traditions, natural conditions, and, most importantly, its futureso that it serves generations tocome."1. In 1935, architect M. S. Bulatov developed the first master plan for the city of Samarkand, covering an areaof 3.9hectares and designed to accommodate a population of 139,0002. In 1968, the second master plan for Samarkand was developed by T. Kalinovskaya, followed by the third master plan, designed by architects from UzNIIIP between 1981 and 1984. The formulation of these master plans was highly complex, frequently encountering various challenges. This was due to the fact that the city center of Samarkand served as a unifying hub connecting both parts of the city. Additionally, the urban planning process had to account for the aesthetic integrity of Samarkand’s unique architectural monuments. Given these factors, urban planners bore significant responsibilityindesigning thecity's masterplan. During the years of independence, Uzbekistan’s first President, I. A. Karimov, held multiple discussions with architectural scholars to preserve Samarkand’s historical character. 1Ҳалқсўзи,2015йил15сентябрь. 2АхмедовМ.Қ.Меъмориймерос:Самарқанднома,темурнома.Тошкент:«Fanvatexnologiya»,2011.Б.50 page410 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ISSN:2692-5206,ImpactFactor:12,23 AmericanAcademicpublishers,volume05,issue02,2025 Journal: https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai During this period, a decree was issued for the development of the city’s master plan up to the year 2025. In 2005, local architects, in collaboration with V. A. Akopdzhanyan, the chief architect of "Tashkentboshloyiha" and an Honored Architect of Uzbekistan, developed a master plan forSamarkand’s historical district,intended tobe implemented by2020. According to this plan, the future development of Samarkand was considered to be closely tied to the preservation of its historical heritage. The restoration projects within the city’s historical core required an individualized approach. Furthermore, the master plan aimed to transform the historical district into a tourism hub. It was estimated that if the city’s historical continuity was maintained, the number of tourists visiting Samarkand would reach 200,000 by 2010andincreaseto500,000by20203. It should be noted that during the years of independence, several master plans for the city of Samarkand were developed by architectural scholars. However, none of these plans were approved, as they failed to meet therequirements ofthecity as amajortourism hub. Currently, the construction and development projects in Samarkand are being carried out based on the decisions, decrees, and orders of the President of the Republic and the Cabinet of Ministers. During the years of independence, significant attention has been given to the socio- economic and cultural-educational development of historical cities in Uzbekistan, as well as to urban planning and architectural progress. In particular, the scale of construction and development projects in Samarkand has expanded year by year, with an increasing allocation of financial resources to the sector. In the early years of independence, the total funds spent on urban construction amounted to 72.7 millionUZS, reaching 14,442.5million UZS in 2002and 615,34.5million UZS in 20084. During the preparations and celebrations of Samarkand’s 2750th anniversary, large-scale construction and development projects were undertaken in the