Immediate action is needed to improve the Chust city’s water supply, sewage treatment, and waste management, a recent needs assessment by the UNOSSC Cities Project concluded. The assessment, focusing on green city development, was carried out from 11 to 15 November 2019.
In September 2019, the government of Chust district shared their list of priorities in developing a green city with the Cities Project, through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uzbekistan. Responding to Chust’s request, the Cities Project organized an in-depth on-site needs assessment mission bringing experts in socioeconomic development and municipal construction engineering together with Cities Project staff and UNDP Uzbekistan colleagues.
With a population of approximately 80,000, Chust lies in the heart of Fergana Valley – along the ancient Silk Road – and serves as the administrative center of the Chust District in the Namangan region of Uzbekistan.
The Cities Project adopted a comprehensive and participatory approach in the assessment. 400 questionnaires were prepared by experts and distributed among residents and relevant companies and organizations ahead of the mission team’s arrival; and baseline data was collected from Chust city authorities.
A comprehensive and scientific assessment report is being developed to serve as the foundation of a pilot project concept to address the identified challenges. Meanwhile the Cities Project has set in motion a partnership between Chust city and other Southern cities to share lessons learned.
UNDP in Uzbekistan provided technical and logistic support to the mission and will continue contributing substantially to the pilot project. An experienced expert recommended by China Municipal Construction Association served as a volunteer for the needs assessment mission.
The team visited a water supply plant, main pipelines, a drinking water sterilizing facility, a sewage settlement pool, sewage discharging points, trucks and containers for trash collection and transportation, and a landfill site.
Officials and technicians from both the Namangan region and Chust district were interviewed as well as companies delivering municipal services. Their perspective on the current situation, challenges, and opportunities, were incorporated into the assessment. The team also visited several residents’ houses and public schools.
Having interacted with various stakeholders the team concluded that Chust is faced with facilities that cannot meet the growing local demand. Adequate funding and investment into technologies and management would be required to address the existing shortfalls.
