https://joom.ag/X5je policy brief-psia-uzbekistan-eng_3 | Seite 27

VII. Urbanization Trends and Related Policies ƒ ƒ Developing a sustainable model of urbanization to limit urban sprawl and preserve agriculture land; ƒ ƒ Promoting an inclusive urban framework to develop affordable housing solutions and services; It seems necessary to improve the instruments for the property market and the management of real estate, including boosting the capacities of housing market stakeholders, such as private and community developers 26 ƒ ƒ Improving the urban governance model to capture the complex and multifunctional role of cities and address the different needs of the largevariety of urban stakeholders. 2) Improve research and monitoring capacities on urban issues dramatically. This would entail strengthening capacities across a range of disciplines, such as economics, finance, demography, sociology and urban planning. It could also involve enhancing the competencies of research institutes such as the TAHLIL Center for Social Research by adding urban specialists to its roster of experts. 3) Develop capacities and instruments to promote integrated territorial development at the regional, district and city levels in order to adequately address the wide variety of challenges related to human settlements. This approach is currently being implemented regionally under the program Enhancement of Living Standards in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Namangan Region (see section IV.B). This approach is contained in the General Scheme of Settlement Allocation up to 2050, which is awaiting approval by the government. Many countries have recently completed their urban planning systems so that the main stakeholders and all relevant sectors can formulate a common plan for the socioeconomic development of urban territories. The City Development Strategy is a commonly applied instrument for medium-sized and large cities, or for networks of small cities. Uzbekistan has an advantage since it did not dismantle its former network of planning institutions for urban and territorial development. Not needing to recreate them, it has only to improve their capacity and strategic planning, drawing on the relevant practices and methodologies of other countries. The City Development Strategy would help cities to look beyond short-term planning to where they should be in 20 years while also helping them to identify the steps necessary to achieve those goals. In Uzbekistan, particular attention should be paid to regional networks of cities, small urban centers and villages because of competition against agriculture for land use. 4) Improve the instruments for the emerging urban land and property market and the associated management of real estate – including boosting the capacities of housing market stakeholders, such as private and community developers – in order to diversify the kinds of housing available to city dwellers. One priority should be to provide housing for low-income groups. The resultant land market, which should be free of speculation and supported by a progressive tax