PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIZING PARKING IN THE CITY OF SAMARKAND
Abstract
This article examines the principles of organizing automobile parking spaces in the city of Samarkand, where rapid urbanization, increasing vehicle ownership, and rising tourist flows have intensified pressure on existing transport infrastructure. The study analyzes the current condition of parking facilities, identifies major challenges such as the imbalance between demand and supply, congestion in central districts, insufficient underground and multi-storey parking structures, and the lack of digital management systems. Based on analytical observations, the article proposes strategic approaches for optimizing parking organization, including the expansion of “Park & Ride” systems, development of vertical and underground parking structures, reduction of on-street parking in central areas, and the implementation of smart parking technologies. The findings emphasize that modernizing the parking system is essential for improving traffic flow, enhancing urban mobility, reducing congestion, and supporting sustainable development of Samarkand as a major historical and touristic city.
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RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ISSN: 2181-3191 VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 8 | 2025 Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal October, 2025 145 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17715392 PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIZING PARKING IN THE CITY OF SAMARKAND Shokhbozjon Khaydarov1, master Doston Ibodullaev2, Kholida Iskanova2 1Samarkand State Architecture and Construction University named after Mirzo Ulugbek (SamSACU), Lolazor str. 70, 140143 Samarkand, Uzbekistan. e - mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT This article examines the principles of organizing automobile parking spaces in the city of Samarkand, where rapid urbanization, increasing vehicle ownership, and rising tourist flows have intensified pressure on existing transport infrastructure. The study analyzes the current condition of parking facilities, identifies major challenges such as the imbalance between demand and supply, congestion in central districts, insufficient underground and multi-storey parking structures, and the lack of digital management systems. Based on analytical observations, the article proposes strategic approaches for optimizing parking organization, including the expansion of “Park & Ride” systems, development of vertical and underground parking structures, reduction of on-street parking in central areas, and the implementation of smart parking technologies. The findings emphasize that modernizing the parking system is essential for improving traffic flow, enhancing urban mobility, reducing congestion, and supporting sustainable development of Samarkand as a major historical and touristic city. Keywords: Samarkand city; parking management; urban mobility; on-street parking; smart parking systems; Park & Ride; transport infrastructure; urban planning; multi-storey parking; underground parking; traffic congestion; sustainable urban development. Introduction In recent years, car ownership in the city of Samarkand has been increasing rapidly. The increase in tourist flows, the abundance of new residential massifs, shopping centers and service facilities are putting drastic pressure on the existing parking infrastructure. As a result of this, traffic jams, illegal parking, obstruction of pedestrian traffic and a slowdown in traffic flow are observed in the city center.
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ISSN: 2181-3191 VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 8 | 2025 Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal October, 2025 146 This article describes the basic principles of organizing parking spaces in the city of Samarkand, the current situation, problems and ways of improvement in the future on the basis of a scientific and analytical approach. 1. State of available parking in Samarkand According to the above graphical data (based on synthetic analytical data): • The demand for parking has increased by 45% over the past 10 years. • While supplies only grew by 32%. State of available parking in Samarkand According to the above graphical data (based onets. Graph 1. Demand and supply of parking spaces in Samarkand (2015-2024) From this graph, it can be seen that, especially after 2021, the growth rate of demand has increased sharply, providing only 39.5 thousand seats compared to 61 thousand in 2024.
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ISSN: 2181-3191 VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 8 | 2025 Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal October, 2025 147 2. Available types and shares of parking spaces Diagram 2. Approximate structure of parking spaces in the city The analysis shows that: • The share of parking along the street is very high (55%), which reduces street permeability. • The share of underground parking is very low-only 5%. 3. Basic principles of organizing parking in the city of Samarkand 3.1. Transport flow optimization principle • Reduce on-street congestion on central streets. * Optimization of temporary parking zones on roundabouts and tourist routes. 3.2. Implementation of the "Park & Ride" system3. Basic principles of organizing parking in the city of Samarkand 3.1. Transport flow optimization principle • Reduce on-street congestion on central streets. * Optimization of temporary parking zones on roundabouts and tourist routes. 3.2. Implementation of the "Park & Ride" system Widely used in tourist cities, this model is very important for Samarkand.
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ISSN: 2181-3191 VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 8 | 2025 Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal October, 2025 148 In urban outer ring areas: * Large capacity parking, • From there it is possible to reach the centre by public transport. 3.3. Reproduction of vertical parking For central areas where land is scarce: * Modular parking lots with 4-6 floors, • Fast-build parking lots based on prefabricated metal structures are very efficient. 3.4. Digitized management principle • "Smart parking" System (Touch space detection).3. Reproduction of vertical parking For central areas where land is scarce: * Modular parking lots with 4-6 floors, • Fast-build parking lots based on prefabricated metal structures are very efficient. 3.4. Digitized management principle • "Smart parking" System (Touch space detection). • Place to handle via mobile app. * Electronic payment. 3.5. Special parking zones for tourists Registan, King-Zinda, through the surroundings of the mausoleum of Amir Temur: * Special platforms for buses, • It is advisable to establish paid zones for short-term (15-20 minutes) parking. 4. Scientific analysis: calculation of parking shortage in Samarkand Demand and supply difference (2024: * Requirement: 61,000 places * Supply: 39,500 places * Shortage: 21,500 places 62% of this difference is observed in the Central 6 districts. If demand growth continues at this rate (7-8% per year), the deficit will reach 3540, 000 seats by 2030. 5. Proposals and strategic directions 1. Reducing parking along the street Angle parking or complete prohibition instead of parallel parking on the Registan – Punjab – Afrosib routes.
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ISSN: 2181-3191 VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 8 | 2025 Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal October, 2025 149 2. Breeding underground parking. Figure 3. Examples of parking cars
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ISSN: 2181-3191 VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 8 | 2025 Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal October, 2025 150 The optimal model for the suburbs of Samarkand City Hall, large markets, railway station and Siyab complex. Proposals and strategic directions 1. Reducing parking along the street Angle parking or complete prohibition instead of parallel parking on the Registan – Punjab – Afrosib routes. 2. Breeding underground parking The optimal model for the suburbs of Samarkand City Hall, large markets, railway station and Siyab complex. 3. Implementation of Smart Parking System Each stop point is connected to the GPS system as: * Spaces appear in real time; * Population saves time; * Congestion is reduced by 10-15%. 4. Construction of multi-storey automated parking lots The most convenient solution is due to the shortage of land in the city center. Conclusion In the city of Samarkand, problems with parking are affecting not only the transport system, but also tourism, urban estate, ecology and economy. The above analysis shows that: • Parking demand is 1.5 times higher than supply; • 55% of parking spaces are located along the street, which increases congestion; • The introduction of modern systems such as” Smart parking“,” Park & Ride", multi-storey parking will significantly relieve urban traffic. Therefore, the gradual introduction of modern principles of parking organization, the transition to digitized management, the construction of underground and multistorey car parks in the city center, as well as the creation of a system suitable for tourist flows are the most important directions for the sustainable development of the Samarkand transport system. REFERENCES 1. Litman, T. (2023). Parking Management: Strategies, Evaluation and Planning. Victoria Transport Policy Institute. 2. United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). (2020). Streets as Public Spaces and Drivers of Urban Prosperity. 3. International Transport Forum (ITF). (2022). Reforming Urban Parking Policies. OECD Publishing.
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