Improving Institutional Reforms in Housing and Communal Services

Abstract

The research examines how institutional changes affect the housing and communal services (HCS) sector of Uzbekistan through improvements in service delivery along with regulatory framework and governance development. The sector continues to face multiple challenges despite major reforms that took place particularly during the digitalization period starting in 2017 since it experiences issues with inefficiencies and monopolies alongside outdated laws and restricted public-private joint efforts. This research uses monographic, comparative and statistical and system-analytical methods to undertake locally based systematic investigation of Uzbekistan's HCS sector while analyzing it both locally and globally and historically. Research shows that the sector developed into five distinct institutional periods starting from self-service models before colonial times and now exists as a modern technology-based system. The analysis reveals spatial variations in the distribution of housing, gas and water infrastructure and it investigates management flaws and validates the implementation of “Boshqaruv Servis” management system as an experiment. The research recommends better tariff regulations combined with digital tracking systems and laws that benefit from public-private business associations and community participation. Integrated legal and technological alongside financial and organizational reforms ensure sustainable HCS development when they support environmental targets through citizen involvement. The paper ends with strategic advice about decentralized governance along with digitization and smart system implementation and institutional training that represents a path for urban infrastructure system development.