Samarkand has an important place in the flow of history among world cities. Being on the Silk Road has enabled the city to be used actively throughout history and made it an important meeting point for the region. Today, Samarkand is still an important center for the region, both socio-culturally and economically. Moreover, after Uzbekistan opened up to the world, it has become an important center of attraction for world tourism. This is a very important opportunity to introduce the hidden treasures, traditions, and daily life of Samarkand to the world. From this angle, “mahalla” as a living culture and as a part of an urban pattern of the historic city stands out as a potential for the development of tourism in Samarkand. Additionally, the existence of the “mahalla” carries a potential for transferring the socio-cultural codes of the city to the new generations.

“Gur Amir Mahalla “, which will be studied within the scope of the summer school, has great potential for the development of urban tourism. In light of that, considering the sociocultural and economic inputs of urban tourism, participant students are expected to develop projects within the understanding of Uzbek daily life patterns and traditions. In this context, the continuation of the existing street life and the suitability of the proposed programs will play an important role in strengthening the tourism infrastructure and the sustainability of Samarkand.