It is always interesting to observe how green technologies are developing in different countries, especially in territories with significant potential. Historical, cultural, and political contexts invariably shape how a country strives toward an environmentally responsible and sustainable future. This is also true of Uzbekistan, a republic that in recent years has actively promoted green innovations in construction to improve the environmental situation in the region and advance sustainable development.
Green buildings in Uzbekistan
The construction of green buildings in Uzbekistan is largely driven by private initiatives. Certified building projects are increasingly appearing across the country and becoming more visible through compliance with various international certification standards. Today, buildings in Uzbekistan are certified under international systems such as LEED, BREEAM, and EDGE. In New Tashkent, certification is mandatory for all developments.
International Building Certification in Uzbekistan
| Standard | Number of Projects |
|---|---|
| WELL | 0 — the standard is complex; there are currently no certified projects |
| LEED | 4 (2 certified projects and 2 projects currently undergoing certification) |
| BREEAM | 7 (4 final certificates and 3 interim certificates) |
| EDGE | 46 (45 final certificates and 1 project at the “Design” stage) |
| Building / Asset Name | Stage / Valid Until | Rating / Score |
|---|---|---|
| WELL — 0 projects | ||
| LEED — 4 projects | ||
| Trilliant Business Park | Final | Gold — 64 |
| Parkent Plaza Residential Complex | Final | Certified — 42 |
| The Center of Contemporary Art | In Progress | |
| The State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan | In Progress | |
| BREEAM — 7 projects | ||
| DC Balton Trading | Interim | Very Good — 57.9% |
| DC Balton Trading PCR | Final | Very Good — 61.1% |
| Headquarters for JSC ASAKABANK | Final | Pass — 34.4% |
| Headquarters for JSCB Uzpromstroybank | Final | Pass — 36.1% |
| IT Park Block 2.3 | Interim | Very Good — 55.2% |
| IT Park Block 2.4 | Interim | Very Good — 56.9% |
| JSCB “AGROBANK” | Final | Pass — 35.7% |
| EDGE — 46 projects | ||
| DC KORZINKA SURUM — Industrial in Uzbekistan | Final | Advanced |
| JSCB Uzpromstroybank | Final | 21 projects — Advanced |
| JSCB Uzpromstroybank | Final | 18 projects — Certified |
| Residential Complex NUR — Apartments in Uzbekistan | Interim | Advanced |
Links to International Project Databases
Projects undergoing green certification in Uzbekistan
LEED projects in Uzbekistan
Parkent Plaza Residential Complex, Tashkent
- Certification type: LEED v4 BD+C: Core and Shell
- Level: certified
- Points: 42
- Certification date: April 04, 2019
- Size: 10,135 sq m
The Parkent Plaza residential complex received basic LEED certification and became the first certified property in the country. It comprises two seven-story buildings featuring energy-efficient windows, noise-reducing elevators, and an automated management system for all utilities. The project presented solutions for energy-efficient design, reduced water consumption, site selection and construction, the use of sustainable materials and proper waste management, as well as improved indoor environmental quality.
Parkent Plaza reflects the smart-city concept, whose principal aim is to create an environment that is comfortable for living and working. The project provides landscaping that promotes a high level of well-being and underground parking that implements the idea of a car-free courtyard. The residential complex is located in an area with smart infrastructure and benefits from a convenient location near the city center and a metro station.
Trilliant Business Park, Tashkent
|
Office Tower 1
Certification type: LEED v4 BD+C: Core and Shell Level: gold Points: 65 Certification date: September 12, 2023 Size: 27,324 sq m
|
Hotel & Conference Center
Certification type: LEED v4 BD+C: New Construction Level: gold Points: 64 Certification date: September 12, 2023 Size: 29,580 sq m |
Office Tower 2
Certification type: LEED v4 BD+C: Core and Shell Level: gold Points: 64 Certification date: May 15, 2024 Size: 34,471 sq m |
Trilliant, an A+ class business park in central Tashkent, is pursuing LEED Gold certification. The 125,000 sq. m complex consists of three main towers: two office buildings and a hotel. All three buildings are to undergo LEED certification.
The business park was designed by Singapore-based DP Architects, which drew inspiration from the history and culture of Uzbekistan. The three business centers are high-performance structures with continuous air circulation. The two office buildings, 14 and 17 stories tall, accommodate more than 300 office units. The second 17-story building is the international five-star InterContinental hotel, with a lounge area, spa, and fitness center.
Construction incorporated solutions for reducing the carbon footprint, introducing recycling and waste-management systems, and implementing intelligent ventilation systems. Other technological solutions include collecting and recycling secondary raw materials into new materials, environmentally responsible landscape design, vehicle charging stations, and reduced energy and water consumption during construction. Green building allowed the project to reduce operating costs.
Trilliant Business Park
Photo: www.trillianttashkent.uz
Center for Contemporary Art, Tashkent
The Center for Contemporary Art in Tashkent is a LEED project targeting a Gold rating, on which HPBS experts have been working since last year.
The project is an innovative space supporting the development of contemporary culture in Central Asia. The facility is being built on the site of a historic 1912 building. Through reconstruction and transformation, the center will become a catalyst for the development of Uzbekistan’s art scene. Reconstruction of the building began in 2022.
The project is undergoing LEED certification. To date, HPBS experts have developed a certification strategy that includes improving energy efficiency, water efficiency, and the environmental performance of materials. Every section of the LEED certification system has been addressed and is being implemented at every stage of the project under the guidance of an accredited expert.
Center for Contemporary Art in Tashkent
Photo: www.ccat.uz
State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan, Tashkent
The State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan is a unique architectural project with a total area of 40,000 sq. m, 30,000 sq. m of which is designed as open space. The museum is located in the historic part of Tashkent, within Uzbekistan’s largest national park, Alisher Navoi National Park.
The proposed building is a nine-story museum complex with three underground levels. The building comprises three spaces of different heights in circular, square, and triangular forms.
The project features a vast exhibition hall, spacious cafes and a restaurant, a library, VIP and conference areas, and a shared multifunctional space.
The HPBS team is supporting the museum building’s certification. The client’s objective is to certify the property under the LEED green building certification program at the Silver level; however, in the course of the work, our experts identified the project’s potential to achieve Gold. The certification strategy currently includes improving energy efficiency, water efficiency, and the environmental performance of materials. Every section of the LEED certification system has been addressed and is being implemented at every stage of the project under the guidance of an accredited expert.
State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan
Photo: repost.uz
BREEAM projects in Uzbekistan
IT Park, Tashkent
IT Park is the first technology park in Uzbekistan. The 400,000 sq. m complex includes 6 office buildings, a conference hall, a car park, and bicycle parking. In 2023, two properties in the technology cluster achieved a BREEAM Very Good rating.
The project used environmentally responsible materials such as low-thermal-conductivity insulated glazing, which provides effective thermal insulation. The building is equipped with an energy-management system and rooftop solar panels used to generate clean energy. In addition, the complex’s buildings incorporate measures to reduce water consumption for irrigation and the maintenance and protection of landscaping.
IT Park opened in 2019 and has already launched approximately 30 startups, about a dozen IT projects, and a number of educational programs. By 2024, there are plans to build an IT Academy, an IT University, office complexes, a hotel, a coworking center, sports facilities, and underground parking. All properties will comply with the international BREEAM environmental standard.
Two office buildings at IT Park, Tashkent
Photo: www.altensis.com
SQB Headquarters of Uzpromstroybank, Tashkent
A 33-story headquarters building for Uzpromstroybank built in the Tashkent City business district. The bank’s strategy provides for implementing green banking principles. This means that the bank devotes particular attention to environmentally responsible investments and financial products that support sustainable development and environmental protection. Under the green banking program, the new Uzpromstroybank building will undergo BREEAM certification.
The project’s environmental solution is a carefully designed energy-efficiency concept and the use of environmentally responsible construction materials. Natural lighting will predominate in the building, improving the property’s indoor environmental quality. The building will also operate systems for conserving energy, using water efficiently, and managing waste. The smart location and access to alternative transportation will also have a beneficial effect on the overall environmental condition of the area.
The project is being implemented with financial support from a consortium of foreign banks (Citibank, China Eximbank, and Raiffeisenbank) led by Credit Suisse. Uzpromstroybank has already signed a loan agreement with the partners.
All 39 SQB Uzpromstroybank branches throughout the Republic of Uzbekistan have been certified under the EDGE green certification system.
EDGE projects in Uzbekistan
EDGE is a standard developed by an institution of the World Bank Group, IFC (International Finance Corporation). It is financed by Switzerland and the United Kingdom to promote and simplify green and sustainable construction in developing countries, including Uzbekistan, with the possibility of receiving various benefits from international institutions. The standard is an accessible tool for CIS countries seeking green financing from banks.
NUR Residential Quarter, Tashkent
The NUR residential complex (Namuna Development) is the first property in the country to undergo EDGE certification. HPBS experts are supporting the certification of the buildings and helping to create a comfortable, resource-efficient, and environmentally responsible space for future residents.
The new residential complex consists of 30 buildings of 9 and 16 stories, with extensive surrounding infrastructure. Its total area is 3.55 hectares.
NUR Residential Complex is Namuna Development’s pilot project. This neighborly community is a city within a city, where residents will be able to find everything they need for a full life. It is located in central Tashkent. The environmental concept of the complex is based on a balance between nature and modern technology. For this reason, half of the courtyard area is devoted to green space.
HPBS team provided comprehensive support for the project’s EDGE certification, including:
- Developing a technical certification strategy under the EDGE (IFC) standard.
- Supporting the design stage and implementation of EDGE requirements, including engineering and technical consulting on energy efficiency, water conservation, and life cycle assessment of materials.
- Supporting construction, including engineering and technical consulting on the selection of materials and equipment and the organization of construction methods.
NUR Residential Quarter
Photo: nur.namunadevelopment.uz
It is worth noting that EDGE is a less complex and demanding certification system than LEED or BREEAM. The standard aims to provide accessible tools for planning and certifying a building. It is therefore ideally suited to developers that want to apply green technologies in their projects but are not yet prepared to implement projects under more complex certification systems.
Creating Markets Advisory (CMA), a dedicated IFC group, works to create market conditions for increasing investment in developing countries. CMA has launched a new advisory project to promote green building in Uzbekistan. The project is based on the IFC EDGE Green Building Program (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies). It will be implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Construction and other government officials, as well as stakeholders from Uzbekistan’s private sector. The program will support policy reforms promoting green building, build capacity and increase awareness of green building and EDGE certification, work with academia to develop professional skills in green building, and support the expansion of Uzbekistan’s certified green building stock.
Green building entered Uzbekistan’s market relatively recently, with the country’s first LEED-certified property, Parkent Plaza Residential Complex, in 2019. This was facilitated by the Republic’s active work on reforms and programs for the green transformation of the economy:
- Strategy for the Transition of the Republic of Uzbekistan to a Green Economy for 2019–2030;
- Roadmap for the Transition to Low-Carbon Energy in Uzbekistan’s Electric Power Sector;
- Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022–2026.
International organizations are actively supporting the development of the green agenda in Uzbekistan. Special financing programs for developing countries enable the Republic to implement projects in environmentally responsible construction and sustainable development. For example, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Government of Japan, and a consortium of international experts helped the country develop the Roadmap for the Transition to Low-Carbon Energy. In 2022, the World Bank provided Uzbekistan with a $143 million concessional loan to implement the Clean Energy for Buildings in Uzbekistan project.
The small number of certified properties in Uzbekistan is a temporary phenomenon. An increasing number of clients are requesting building certification support services. Demand for green building is gaining momentum due to the Republic’s new green development strategy, support from international institutions, and preferential terms for implementing environmentally responsible projects. Uzbekistan’s businesses therefore have the potential to implement green building projects not only in Tashkent but also in other regions of the country.
Additional information:
- EDGE Certification
- Building Certification in New Tashkent: Requirements for Investors
- Taisei Technology Center: What the LEED Platinum Building of the Future and Circular Architecture Look Like in Practice
- Korzinka EDGE Certification
- Which Building Certification System Should You Choose? EDGE, LEED, BREEAM, WELL