Samarkand and Registan Square symbolize the splendor of Islamic architecture — but a tourism boom is putting the historic city under pressure. While Uzbekistan presents itself as a guardian of its cultural heritage, the urban landscape is visibly changing. Entire neighborhoods have been demolished to make way for new pilgrimage and tourism complexes, with residents forced to relocate.

Many now live on the outskirts, often without adequate infrastructure. Critics speak of human rights concerns and accuse UNESCO of inaction. The tensions between preservation and economic ambition reveal the complex realities behind the city’s transformation.