Uzbekistan's tourism sector, a crucial component of the national economy, has shown robust growth, significantly driven by streamlined visa processes. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, tourism contributed approximately $2.8 billion to the Uzbek economy.

In response, the government has launched multiple strategic initiatives, including the master plan for the Charvak tourist area by Novaya Labs, to stimulate this sector further.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the economic impact of tourism on Uzbekistan’s economy in 2019

$2.8 billion

Uzbekistan's national strategy for ecological tourism focuses on the regions of Parkent, Kokand, Tashmore, Zaamin, Karshi, Khiva, Kungurad, and Muynak.

The country promotes two national parks, including Ugam-Chatkal National Park in the Tian Shan Mountains—Uzbekistan's largest protected natural area. This and other parks are crucial for recreational tourism, offering diverse natural attractions and activities.

500 years ago

The first plane trees were planted

The historic cities of Bukhara, Samarkand, and Khiva remain Uzbekistan's premier destinations, thriving centres of historical and cultural tourism.
These cities remain recognised brands of the country, which has much more to offer - from ethnographic to recreational tourism.

5.2%

The share of tourism in Uzbekistan’s economy in 2019

4.4 mln

Tourists visited Uzbekistan in 2019

Tashkent Airport is the primary gateway for tourists and a key site for the expansion of both domestic and international tourism. Improving transport infrastructure in this region is vital to providing access and enhancing tourist experiences.

60 min

Accessibility by car to the
project site from Tashkent

120 min

Accessibility by train to the
project site from Tashkent

Gate of Charvak

The site is conceived as an intermodal transport hub and offers unique investment opportunities. It unlocks tourist access to the adjacent points of interest, supporting the economics of adjacent settlements and the Charvak Special Tourism Zone.

territory 1

Yusufkhona

Designed for beach and active tourism, it offers affordable and eco-friendly retreats that are compact and commercially sustainable.

territory 2

Quality and variety of life

To promote an inclusive and just environment, we proposed several centres for education and retraining, sustainable transport, and protection of natural environments.

design principles .1

Protecting Local Ecosystem

Public spaces and local communities

Yusufkhona, a tourist area on the southern shore of Lake Charvak, faces historic settlements on the northern coast. The circular park ensures that tourists and locals share this new public infrastructure. It creates a spatial link between existing villages and tourist areas, establishing a new system of public spaces for recreation and cultural exchange.

We ensure that local residents can easily access recreational activities by providing shared infrastructure (e.g., playgrounds and sports grounds) on the northern shore.

Design principles .2

Prioritising Community and Local Culture

now

project

of the Gate of Charvak area is dedicated to educational tourism, providing students with practical experience near the tourist hub and creating job opportunities close to home.

2.4%

Service Economy at Gate of Charvak

75%

Unutilized area

10%

Cemetery

4%

Public and business zone

28,6%

Recreational area and eco-park

10,7%

Plots

8,5%

Financial-insurance cluster plots

4,7%

Greenery

5,4%

Parking

5,2%

Flood-prone area

Customer Experience on Every Stage

The tourist experience at Charvak is at the heart of the masterplan, which includes solutions ranging from smart navigation to multimodal electric transport options.

Design principles .3

Creating Unique Tourist Experiences

"Oases" – Integrated Transportation and Tourism Hubs

At the heart of our project is customer experience delivered through the concept of "Oases" - a system of multimodal hubs in the Gate of Charvak and Yusufkhona areas. Secondary cores located along the coast further support these hubs. The system includes regular electric bus routes and smart stops, providing a high-standard travel experience within the region.

Public-Private Partnership from the Start

As with every project, we carefully evaluated every early-stage decision through multiple consultations with local authorities and businesses. This process led to the establishment of a permanent supervisory body with defined responsibilities, ensuring successful project implementation.

Design principles .4

Working Together With Local Enterprises

Land Structure and Demarcation

An example of an outcome of the consultations is the decisions around plot sizes for Yusufkhona and the Gate of Charvak visitor centre. It identified a specific demand for relatively small plots, leading to a more effective and viable land-use strategy for the project area.

Primary Development
Infrastructure Upgrade & Construction
Land Development

Local Government

Plot Sales
Asset Development

Business

Traditional and Modern Design

The balance between traditional and modern building materials and technologies creates the area's unique aesthetics while preserving its identity.

Design principles .5

Integrating New and Traditional Architectural Designs

In the rugged landscapes of Uzbekistan, complex topography dictates the arrangement and spatial structure of villages. Traditional kishlaks, often situated near water sources, naturally conform to the contours of the terrain, evolving into uniquely structured settlements over time.

.1

Natural landscape frames architectural design, resulting in winding streets and terraced buildings.

Landscape and Architecture

.2

Building orientation is vital for thermal comfort in Uzbekistan's harsh summer climate. Homes typically face northwards and have strategically placed terraces with wind traps, or “Evans”, to provide cooling.

Thermal Regulation

.3

Urban residential blocks in Central Asia typically adopt an enclosed configuration with a central courtyard. This design enhances community living and aligns the building along the boundary of a plot, forming an interconnected façade that resembles a local tapestry.

Urban Context

.4

Owing to their high thermal mass, selecting construction materials such as stone, fired brick, and clay is strategic in the region's dry climate. These materials absorb and transfer heat slowly, keeping indoor temperatures cooler throughout the day.

Building Material and Climate