A team led by UK architect Cross Works has been chosen by the government of Uzbekistan to masterplan the first phase of New Tashkent, the country’s new capital.

Groundworks have begun on a 60 sq km site on the eastern side of the existing city. This will eventually become a 250 sq km city, enough to accommodate a population of 2.5 million.

District 1 will contain multiple neighbourhoods, or “meydans”, built around a core of community, commercial and cultural spaces located within a 10 minute walk of each other.

A 575m-tall Tashkent Twin City Towers complex will become the fifth tallest building in the world. This will be sited at the edge of a district park connected to a citywide canal network.

A 10ha entertainment island will be accessible from the canal and will include markets, indoor areas and exhibition spaces under a continuous roof canopy.

A north–south spine will contain government ministries and agencies, and embassies. At the centre of this zone will be the “Infinite Meydan”, a ceremonial meeting place with a large sculpture.

A pedestrianised area called Silk City will include textile and jewellery outlets, and will be situated in an area where structures will not exceed eight storeys.

Cross Works is part of a consortium that includes Buro Happold, China CAMC Engineering and KPMG.