INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 02,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 405
ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL DIVISION AND DEMOGRAPHIC INDICATORS
OF SAMARKAND DURING THE YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
Buronov Olim
Associate Professor of the History Department, University of Information
Technology and Management
Davronov Ulug‘bek
1st-year Master's student, University of Information Technology and Management
Abstract:
This article analyzes the administrative-territorial reforms and demographic changes in
the city of Samarkand following Uzbekistan’s independence. During this period, the city’s
administrative structure was reshaped, new districts were established, and infrastructure was
improved. Additionally, urbanization processes, population density increase, demographic
growth rates, migration trends, and economic development-related transformations are discussed.
The study provides an overview of Samarkand’s current state and future prospects based on
official statistical data and demographic analysis methods.
Keywords:
Samarkand, administrative-territorial division, demographic indicators, independence
years, population growth, urbanization, urban planning, regional development, economic
changes, infrastructure.
During the years of independence, the development of urban planning in Uzbekistan was
elevated to the level of state policy. First and foremost, important decisions and laws were
adopted and implemented regarding the role, structure, and classification of cities within the
administrative-territorial system of the republic.
Samarkand region is located in the central part of the Republic of Uzbekistan, within the
Zarafshan River basin, surrounded by the Turkestan and Zarafshan mountain ranges. It borders
Jizzakh region to the northeast, the Republic of Tajikistan to the east, Kashkadarya region to the
south, and Bukhara region to the west. The region covers an area of 16.8 thousand hectares,
accounting for 6.3% of the country’s total land area. The population density is 159.5 people per
square kilometer[1].
The region includes 2 cities under regional jurisdiction, 9 district-level cities, 88 urban
settlements, 125 rural citizens' assemblies, 1,100 neighborhood citizens' assemblies, and 1,829
rural settlements[2].
The administrative center of Samarkand region, the city of Samarkand, currently covers a
total area of 0.12 thousand square kilometers, accounting for 0.7% of the region’s total area.
Samarkand is not only the historical city and administrative center of the region but also one of
the most important economic and industrial hubs of the republic. The city borders the districts of
Samarkand, Pastdargom, Jomboy, Tayloq, and Oqdaryo. There are 191 neighborhood citizens'
assemblies in the city[3].
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 02,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 406
Today, the old and new parts of Samarkand are developing in harmony. The old part of the
city is divided into several mahallas and guzars, which hold a significant place within the city's
territorial structure. Some guzars have preserved their ancient names to this day. Among them
are Suzangaron, Kavarzor, Bog‘i Baland, Bog‘i Maydon, Toshkandiy, Urgutiy, Termiziy,
Andijoniy, Oq Machit, Kaftarxona, and others[4].
In 1939, according to the initial administrative-territorial division of Samarkand, three city
districts were established: Bog‘ishamol, Siyob, and Temiryo‘l. Bog‘ishamol district was located
in the central part of Samarkand, covering an area of 200 hectares. The district included various
industrial and sports facilities, such as the Dynamo and Spartak stadiums, Krasny Dvigatel,
Superphosphate Plant, Bread Factory, Wine Factory (Khovrenko), 8th March Factory, Morozov
Printing House, and more than 20 other enterprises [5].
Siyob district encompassed the historical part of the city. It housed several important
facilities, including the "Gelion" plant, "Hujum" factory, Siyob bazaar, the Institute of
Archaeology of the Uzbek Academy of Sciences, and other significant establishments [6].
Temiryo‘l district was located in the western part of the city and included several industrial
enterprises such as the Kinap, porcelain, refrigerator, and elevator manufacturing plants, as well
as a tea packaging factory, several food production enterprises, and construction organizations[7].
These districts were abolished in 1950 and re-established in 1976. During the years of
independence, in accordance with the decision of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan
on December 12, 2003, the Siyob, Bog‘ishamol, and Temiryo‘l districts were abolished[8].
Until 2017, the city had three urban settlement districts named Kimyogarlar, So‘lim, and
Farhod, which were administratively subordinate to the Samarkand city administration[9]. The
Kimyogarlar urban settlement was established in 1951. Within its territory, there were six
neighborhood citizens' assemblies named Madaniyat, Chorbog‘, Nurafshon, Nurli Kelajak,
Shukrona, and Darg‘om. The settlement included 120 multi-story residential buildings and 318
individual courtyard houses, along with a total of 16 social infrastructure facilities[10].
Farhod urban settlement is located 6 km away from the center of Samarkand city, on the
right bank of the Zarafshan River. It was established in 1981 as a posyolka (settlement) within
the Jomboy district[11]. Since 1994, Farhod urban settlement has been included in the
administrative structure of Samarkand city. The settlement is home to reinforced concrete slab
production, asphalt and gravel processing plants, and joint ventures such as UzBAT (Uzbekistan-
UK-USA, producing tobacco products) and an Uzbekistan-Turkey textile manufacturing
enterprise. Additionally, it houses the Water Management Construction Supply Administration,
an auto enterprise, and a mechanized drainage cleaning unit, along with various social and
cultural institutions.Furthermore, Farhod urban settlement includes three neighborhood citizens’
assemblies: Shirin, Bunyod, and Chuponota. The area consists of 33 multi-story buildings, 6
single-family homes, 113 farmsteads with household plots, and four social infrastructure
facilities [12].
Sulim (Kishrav) urban settlement is located 7 km from the center of Samarkand city on the
right bank of the Dargom canal. It was established in 1951 [13]. The settlement is home to the
"UzElectroConstruction" mechanized column, the Kishrav HPP cascade, a transport workshop, a
sewing atelier, a farmers' market, and various social and cultural institutions. Additionally, it
includes the Navruz, Yoshliq, and Chilkuduk neighborhood citizens' gatherings, 1 multi-story
building, 1,040 individual courtyard houses, 788 households with homestead plots, and 5 social
sector facilities[14].
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 02,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 407
In accordance with the February 2017 decree of the President of the Republic of
Uzbekistan, these settlements were abolished and incorporated into the administrative structure
of Samarkand city. With the attainment of state sovereignty, the process of establishing the
foundations of independent statehood led to comprehensive reforms in urban governance,
alongside state administration. The constitutional foundations for the establishment of the
hokimiyat (governance) institution were firmly enshrined in Chapter XXI of the Constitution of
the Republic of Uzbekistan, forming the legal basis for public administration[15].
City administrations operate in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of
Uzbekistan and the Law "On Local State Authority." According to these legal documents, the
city administration is responsible for governing state, economic, and socio-cultural development
within its respective territory. It also approves socio-economic development plans and the local
budget, while overseeing the activities of subordinate enterprises, organizations, and institutions.
Additionally, the administration ensures compliance with laws, maintenance of public and social
order, and protection of citizens' rights. During the years of independence, Uzbek cities have
developed a unique governance system that takes into account historical experience, national
traditions, and international practices. Currently, the structural organization of the Samarkand
city administration consists of the city mayor, deputy mayors in different sectors, their
secretariats (each including two specialists), an organizational control group, an information
service, a general department, and an administrative affairs department.
Samarkand ranks second in the republic after Tashkent in terms of population. In 1991, the
population of Samarkand city was 391.5 thousand people [16]. According to statistical data, as of
January 1, 2016, the population of Samarkand amounted to 519,914 people. Specifically: 17,079
individuals resided in Kimyogarlar settlement, 5,614 individuals in Farhod settlement, 4,910
individuals in Sulim settlement, 492,311 individuals in the remaining part of Samarkand city. By
January 1, 2017, the total population of Samarkand had increased to 523,818 people, reflecting a
steady demographic growth [17].
The urban population of the region has been increasing year by year, influenced by birth
rates, natural population growth, and migration processes. In 1994, the population density in
Samarkand was 4.2 thousand people per square kilometer, while by 2016, this figure had risen to
4.4 thousand people per square kilometer. This trend can be attributed to the expansion of the
city’s territory. Additionally, in 2009, the administrative inclusion of several rural settlements
from neighboring districts into Samarkand’s territory contributed to both the city's expansion and
its population growth. Specifically, 8 villages from Oqdaryo district, 3 villages from Bulung‘ur
district, and 8 villages from Samarkand district were incorporated into the city. This
administrative adjustment significantly accelerated urbanization processes in Samarkand[18].
Migration processes hold a significant place in the demographics of Samarkand, as
population migration is a social phenomenon directly linked to the distribution of productive
forces and population growth. Additionally, migration plays a crucial role in shaping population
distribution and territorial composition. During the early years of independence, Samarkand
experienced a high rate of emigration. In 1994, a total of 179.2 thousand people left Uzbekistan,
while only 38.0 thousand people migrated into the country. This trend reflects the socioeconomic
transformations occurring during that period, which influenced migration dynamics[19].
During the final years of the Soviet era, escalating economic and social challenges
prompted the mass migration of various ethnic groups from Uzbekistan. Among them were
Crimean Tatars, Germans, Koreans, Armenians, Poles, Jews, Meskhetian Turks, Russians, and
others, who relocated either to their historical homelands or other countries. The largest share of
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 02,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 408
emigrants consisted of Jews and Russian-speaking populations. A particularly notable
demographic shift occurred in Samarkand’s Old City, where nearly all residents of the Jewish
Mahalla, who belonged to the Jewish ethnic community, emigrated to Russia, the United States,
and Israel, the latter being regarded as their ancestral homeland. At the same time, during the
1990s, political and economic instability in neighboring countries led to an influx of refugees
into Samarkand. In particular, displaced persons from Tajikistan and Afghanistan arrived in the
city and began settling there. It is important to emphasize that Uzbekistan provided assistance to
migrants in need, in accordance with agreements within the Commonwealth of Independent
States (CIS) and international human rights laws[20].
Currently, Uzbekistan's migration relations extend to several foreign countries, including
the United States, Israel, Germany, the United Kingdom, Greece, South Korea, Japan, Turkey,
Saudi Arabia, and Australia[21].
According to data provided by relevant organizations, a total of 84,465 people
(approximately 16%) from Samarkand's population of 536,234 between 2004 and 2019 have
been residing abroad for an extended period. Specifically, in the "Gur-e-Amir" neighborhood,
300 out of 2,685 residents (around 11%), and in the "Panjab" neighborhood, 389 out of 2,662
residents (nearly 15%) are living abroad. However, the majority of them are still officially
registered as residents of Samarkand city[22].
In conclusion, significant changes have been observed in the administrative-territorial
structure and demographic indicators of Samarkand during the years of independence. The
establishment of new districts, improvement of infrastructure, and population growth indicate an
active urbanization process. Demographic analyses have highlighted the impact of natural
population growth and migration on the city's development. Additionally, economic and social
reforms have enhanced Samarkand's attractiveness, making it one of the most important cities in
the country. Therefore, further improvement of administrative governance and the development
of social infrastructure will play a crucial role in the city's future growth.
References:
1. Аҳмедов З. Ўзбекистон шаҳарлар мустақиллик йилларида. Тошкент, 2002. Б. 19.
2. Самарқанд статистика бошқармаси. Самарқанд вилояти паспорт маълумотлари. 2015
й.Б. 1.
3. www.samshаhar.uz
4. Маҳаллалар кўпинча қадимда «Гузар» сўзи оркали ифодаланган. «Гузар » сўзи «
гузаштан » (ўтиш), яъни, «ўтиб кетиш» маъносини билдиради ( Р.Ҳодизода).
5. Майский С. Багишамолский район: вчера, сегодня, завтра// Ленинский путь. 1976. 14
сентябр, №179.
6. Майский С. Сиабский район: вчера, сегодня, завтра// Ленинский путь. 1976. 16
сентябрь.
7. Майский С. Железнодорожный район: вчера, сегодня, завтра// Ленинский путь. 1976.
18 сентябрь.
8. «Ўзбекистон Республикаси аҳоли пунктларининг маъмурий-ҳудудий тузилишини
такомиллаштиришга доир қўшимча чоратадбирлар тўғрисида». Ўзбекистон Вазирлар
Маҳкамасининг Қарори. 13 март, 2009 йил. 68сонли қарор.
9. Шаҳарча фуқаролар йиғини паспорт маълумотлари. Самарқанд, 2016.
10. ЎМЭ. 9Том. Т. 2005.206.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 02,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 409
11. Самарқанд шаҳар ижтимоий ривожлантириш бўлими. Шаҳарча фуқаролар йиғини
паспорт маълумотлари. Самарқанд, 2016 й.
12. УМЭ. 9 Том.. Т. 2005. Б 440-441.
13. Самарқанд шаҳар ижтимоий ривожлантириш бўлими. Шаҳарча фуқаролар йиғини
паспорт маълумотлари. Самарқанд, 2016.
14. Ўзбекистонда замонавий шаҳар маданияти ( коллектив монография). Масъул
муҳаррир: Зияева Д.Х. Т.:”Yangi nashr”, 2017.Б. 70.
15. Кадиров М.А. Самарқанд вилояти аҳоли географияси. Самарқанд, 2017.- Б. 20.
16. Самарқанд шаҳар ҳокимияти иқтисодиёт бўлими маълумотлари. 2016. Б. 6.
17. Кадиров М.А. Самарқанд вилояти аҳоли географияси. Самарканд, 2017.- Б. 20-21.
18. Муртазаева Р.Х. Ўзбекистонда миллатлараро мунособатлар ва бағрикенглик- Т.: «
Университет », 2007. –Б. 128.
19. «Қочоқлар ва мажбуран кўчманчиларга ёрдам бериш тўғрисида», «Қуроллланган низо
натижасида қурбон бўлганларнинг ҳимояси тўғрисида», «Депортация қилинган
шахслар, миллий камчиликлар хукукларини тиклаш билан боғлиқ бўлган масалалар
тўғрисида» кабилар // Жамият ва бошкарув. 2005. №1.
20. Мамадалиева Р. Миграцион жараёнлар ва миллатлараро муносабатлар// Жамият ва
бошқарув Илмий- сиёсий, ижтимоий- иктисодий, маънавий- тарихий журнал). 2005.
№1.- Б. 48-49.
21. Маҳалла раиси А. Богиров берган маълумотлар.
