Kattakurgan set for reclassification as a large city

The city of Kattakurgan, located in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region, will undergo territorial expansion and be reclassified from a medium-sized city to a large city. This development is outlined in the draft resolution titled “On Changing the Borders of the City of Kattakurgan, Kattakurgan and Nurabad Districts of the Samarkand Region,” which was reviewed on July 30 at a regular session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis.

The proposed changes aim to accommodate ongoing socio-economic growth and a rising population. The city’s expansion is intended to help create better living conditions for residents, including the development of new infrastructure and the construction of multi-storey residential buildings.

According to the proposal submitted by the Cabinet of Ministers, the city of Kattakurgan is set to receive 1,945 hectares of land from Kattakurgan district and 971 hectares from Nurabad district. Additionally, 600 hectares of land will be transferred from Nurabad district to Kattakurgan district to adjust the surrounding administrative borders.

As a result of the territorial changes, the establishment of new production and service enterprises is expected. In particular, a branch of the Urgut Free Economic Industrial Zone is planned on 50 hectares, along with three smaller industrial zones on a combined 30 hectares of land.

By 2030, officials aim to increase the number of industrial enterprises in the region from the current 332 to 500. Industrial output per capita is expected to grow by 1.5 times, contributing to the overall industrialization of the region.

Significant growth is also planned in the services sector. The number of service-oriented enterprises is projected to increase from 981 to 1,285 in the short term, with a long-term target of reaching 3,000 by 2030. These changes are anticipated to raise the total volume of services by 1.8 times.

The draft resolution also outlines strategic investment targets. These include attracting $71 million in domestic and foreign investment, increasing exports to \$65 million, and creating a value-added chain for processing agricultural products and producing finished goods.

Officials stated that these measures are intended to accelerate regional socio-economic development, improve living standards, expand housing opportunities, and enhance infrastructure and service delivery. The reforms are expected to generate thousands of new jobs and support long-term urban planning goals.

The proposed border changes were discussed and approved by the relevant mahalla citizen assemblies, as well as the councils of people’s deputies of Kattakurgan city, Kattakurgan district, and Nurabad district, and the regional council. A new cartographic map and formal border classification were also adopted.

The draft resolution instructs the government to implement the border adjustments and carry out the outlined initiatives in a coordinated and timely manner.

The Legislative Chamber has officially adopted the resolution.

It is worth noting that a similar expansion plan was recently announced in the Kashkadarya region, where the regional center is expected to increase its territory by 7,767 hectares over the next 18 years—nearly doubling in size.