Once the housing is complete and landscaping is done, residents of Tashkent are pushing for proper lighting in their courtyard.
According to the law, an apartment building is put into operation after the completion of construction and the landscaping of the surrounding area, as stated in the Regulation on Shared Construction (appendix to the Decree of the President of Uzbekistan No. PP-4732 dated May 28, 2020). However, in reality, construction often focuses solely on the buildings themselves, while the improvement of courtyards and adjacent areas is overlooked.
This situation was faced by the residents of the building located at 1st Mukimi Passage in the Yakkasaray district of Tashkent. The newly constructed apartment building was commissioned without adequate street lighting. Previously, the courtyard perimeter did not include a new high-rise building. Due to the dark courtyard, dense bushes, and trees, the area became a gathering place for noisy groups at night, causing discomfort for the residents. They were concerned for their children's safety and avoided going out into the yard unnecessarily.
Residents' Initiative: Appeal to Government Authorities
The residents appealed to the district Hokimiyat requesting to improve the lighting and trim the tree branches obstructing the streetlights. However, there was no response or reaction from the Hokimiyat. The solution came when one of the residents contacted the president's portal of Uzbekistan. A couple of weeks later, the district Hokimiyat sent a commission to assess the situation, which confirmed the residents' claims.
Employees of the State Unitary Enterprise "Toshshaharniur" inspected the power supply cables and optimized the placement of light sources. The dark areas were partially eliminated, but the written response following the work indicated that additional lamps were required to fully address the deficiencies noted in the appeal. The State Unitary Enterprise informed that the installation of new poles would require additional funds and, consequently, time.
Additionally, the Hokimiyat's response noted that the issue of tree trimming could be considered under the decree of the President of Uzbekistan regarding the protection of green spaces. The procedure and methodology for appeals and further actions regarding tree branch trimming to improve courtyard lighting are available on the website https://license.gov.uz, but this is a subject for another discussion. Importantly, after relocating the lighting fixtures, the illumination improved, and noisy groups lost interest in gathering in the dark.
How to Improve Lighting in Apartment Courtyards
For residents facing similar issues, here are several recommendations:
- Contact the Mahalla Committee. First, submit an application to the Mahalla Committee. If there is no response, escalate the matter to district authorities.
- Utilize Electronic Portals. As this case demonstrates, contacting through the president's portal can expedite the process and allows tracking the status of the application.
- Request Reports and Clarifications. If the issue is not resolved in a timely manner, demand a report on the work carried out or planned based on the landscaping legislation.
- Organize Collective Appeals. If individual applications yield no results, gather signatures from neighbors to submit a collective appeal.
The issue of lighting in courtyard areas remains relevant for many districts in Tashkent. Experience shows that citizen persistence and the use of electronic platforms can accelerate problem-solving. However, it is crucial to remember that filing a complaint is just the beginning. To achieve real change, one must keep the situation under control and hold officials accountable.
Applications and Resources for Consumers
Law “On Appeals by Individuals and Legal Entities”
Law “On the Openness of Government Bodies and Administration”
Presidential Decree – “On Measures for Environmental Protection and the Organization of Government Activities in the Field of Environmental Control”
Decree of the President of Uzbekistan on Measures to Accelerate Greening Efforts
Resources for Submitting Appeals:
Virtual Reception of the President of Uzbekistan
Service for Cooperation of Urban Services in Tashkent – Xalq Nazorat
Portal for Submitting Solutions for Cutting Down Dead Trees
Marat Smagin, columnist for Anhor.uz