More than 720 multi-apartment buildings in Tashkent were built without permits from architectural authorities. The authorities are now checking these buildings for safety and compliance with construction standards. The Prosecutor General's Office of Uzbekistan is handling the issue. Illegal construction remains a pressing problem for Kazakhstan too, in particular for Almaty and Astana.
WHAT HAPPENED IN TASHKENT
As Gazeta.uz reports, on 13 October the Minister of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of Uzbekistan, Sherzod Khidoyatov, spoke about the scale of illegal construction at a parliamentary session.
According to him, many residential buildings were constructed even before the Tashkent general plan was approved at the end of 2024. Some developers began work on plots purchased through auctions but did not obtain the necessary permits.
"Today this has become a very painful problem. In Tashkent alone there are more than 720 such multi-storey buildings," the minister said.
HOW THE AUTHORITIES ARE TACKLING THE PROBLEM
A separate procedure for commissioning the problem buildings is being developed. Specialists are checking the structural strength of the buildings, the availability of parking, children's and sports playgrounds, as well as other necessary infrastructure.
The minister stressed that even after the violations have been remedied, the buildings must undergo an instrumental strength survey.
In addition, on 28 September 2026, Uzbekistan adopted Law No. ZRU-1179, which toughens penalties for the illegal construction of multi-storey buildings.
Repeat construction without a permit after an administrative penalty carries a punishment of three to five years' imprisonment. If the violation led to loss of life or other serious consequences, the penalty is five to seven years.
The law comes into force on 30 December 2026, three months after its official publication. Thus, at the time of publication the new rules are not yet in effect.
WHAT IS THE SITUATION IN ALMATY
The problem of illegal construction also exists in Kazakhstan. According to a report by the Almaty urban planning control department dated 24 September 2026, since the start of the year 46 illegal objects have been fully or partially demolished in the city.
Specialists conducted 1,462 unscheduled inspections and identified 934 violations. The total amount of fines was KZT 494.6 million.
In addition, the department sent 66 lawsuits to the courts, 34 of which concerned the demolition of illegal objects.
Among the structures previously demolished were the residential complexes "Mechta", KHAN and "Alma Garden".
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN ASTANA
The capital's authorities are also identifying construction without permits. According to the Astana akimat, in 2024–2025 around 40 such objects were discovered.
One example is the Mardan residential complex on Chingiz Aitmatov Street. The developer began work without the necessary permits and failed to comply with an order to remedy the violations. In June 2025, the object began to be demolished by court decision.
In addition, in May 2026 the Nura district prosecutor's office identified two more residential complexes under construction with violations of permitting procedures. One of the objects lacked a positive expert opinion and a notification of the start of construction work; the other lacked, among other things, land documents and a project.
