In the comments to a recent news article about plans to completely relocate the Osh Bazaar, followed by the creation of a park in its place, a resident of the capital, Dmitry, expressed his opinion. He urged city authorities to preserve the unique architecture of this trading complex and to utilize its potential for creating a significant urban area.
According to Dmitry, the Osh market has a wonderful historical part that requires restoration. He suggested implementing strict regulations for trade, focusing on the food service sector, creating street tandyrs, and providing beautiful protection from sunlight and snow with a stylish roof. Such an approach could make this place not only attractive for residents but also interesting for tourists, with a zone for music and arts, as well as small hotels with a few rooms.
In his opinion, this solution would be much more beneficial than creating a new park, which, as practice shows, is not always successfully implemented at the required level. "Destroying an architectural monument doesn't require much effort. However, to turn it into a useful and aesthetically pleasing space, one needs to think carefully," he noted.
This opinion is supported by many residents. They believe that creating an authentic district with strict landscaping rules and preserving the historical appearance would bring Bishkek more benefits than just a standard park. Similar examples can be seen in global practice, where, for instance, in China, ancient market areas are restored and become important tourist attractions. In Turkey, ancient markets are not only preserved but also serve as city landmarks that generate significant income.
