World Bank approves $35 million loan to support improving geospatial data availability and use in Uzbekistan

World Bank approves $35 million loan to support improving geospatial data availability and use in Uzbekistan

AKIPRESS.COM – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a $35 million concessional credit to support Uzbekistan in improving the availability and use of geospatial data, in alignment with international best practices. The project will contribute to the digitalization of public service delivery and advance territorial development. The Government of Uzbekistan will contribute approximately $5.7 million in co-financing.

Uzbekistan’s rapid urbanization—now with more than 50% of the population living in cities—has increased pressure on land, infrastructure, and public services, particularly in major urban centers. This growth has resulted in a lack of detailed geospatial data on land and infrastructure use, which limits the government’s ability to effectively plan and manage territorial development and restricts opportunities for residents and businesses.

The private sector also faces challenges due to limited access to reliable geospatial data on land, infrastructure, transport, as well as water and energy connectivity. This lack of accurate, up-to-date data discourages investment opportunities by making it difficult for businesses to assess risks and identify viable investment locations. The resulting data gap undermines investor confidence and limits private sector participation in sectors that are crucial for economic development.

To address these issues, Uzbekistan established the legal basis for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in 2021. The NSDI is intended to support informed planning and sustainable territorial development by enabling transparent and efficient collection, storage, management, and sharing of geospatial data.

The project will also modernize the national land information system (UzKAD), create a national address registry, and improve data sharing within the Government and with the private sector.

Additionally, the project will pilot new mapping technologies in Samarkand, including the creation of a 3D city model and a utility cadastre (infrastructure mapping). These tools will help municipal officials manage urban growth and prepare for climate-related disasters.

Overall, the project will enhance the quality of land and property data, helping eliminate constraints such as tenure insecurity and enabling the private sector to more effectively utilize land and property resources, fostering the creation of new businesses.

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