Turkmenistan: Berdymukhammedov Thinking about Urban Renewal

Hundreds of unauthorized homes in Ashgabat are slated for demolition after they were spied by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov as he toured the capital by helicopter.

The President is also displeased with the amount of garbage in the city's suburbs, and with the poor condition of many roads, the semi-official Turkmenistan.ru reported on March 15.

Following his March 11 helicopter tour over Ashgabat, Berdymukhammedov chastised city authorities for failing to make use of the resources available to them. "Despite the existence of special equipment for urban cleanliness and order, the work is not carried out properly," he is quoted as saying. "Around the city are a lot of temporary houses, nobody gives permission for them."