Demolition, Resettlement And A New Design Code: How Astana Will Be Rebuilt By 2030

Astana’s maslikhat has approved a new housing renovation program through 2030. The authorities plan to demolish emergency and dilapidated housing, relocate residents, renovate old neighborhoods, and change the architectural appearance of the capital, Orda.kz reports.

The main goal of the program, according to the authors of the document, is to renew part of the city and create “comfortable and safe living conditions” for residents of the capital. The document separately notes that Astana has faced rapid population growth and a serious strain on infrastructure.

Against this background, the authorities decided not only to build new districts but also to actively rebuild old ones. There are currently 3,636 apartment buildings in the city. According to the akimat, 200 houses require major repairs, and another 288 elevators need to be replaced.

The document notes that Astana’s emergency housing renovation project has been operating since 2013. During this time, residents of 282 emergency buildings, comprising 4,312 apartments in total, have been resettled. The program has now been expanded. Under the new renovation plan, residents of another 206 emergency buildings, comprising 4,710 apartments, will be relocated.

The renovation will affect not only old apartment buildings. The document says the following may be demolished as part of the comprehensive reconstruction:

• emergency and dilapidated housing;
• individual residential buildings;
• country houses;
• garage cooperatives.

At the same time, the capital plans to upgrade engineering networks, including water supply, heat supply, sewerage, and gas infrastructure.

One of the key parts of the program will be creating a unified architectural style for the capital. Astana has already prepared a list of 183 buildings whose facades require repair. Project documentation is being developed for some sites, while work has already begun on others.

The authorities also intend to renovate the facades of old buildings on Kenesary and Beibitshilik streets. In the future, all new projects in renovation zones will have to comply with the capital’s special design code.

The document indicates that the authorities plan to actively involve private developers in implementing the program. Under the master plan, priority renovation areas through 2035 cover 2,582 hectares. Sixteen private construction companies are already involved in developing these territories.

Residents of emergency buildings are promised relocation to apartments of equal size, but no smaller than one-room apartments. Owners of non-residential premises may receive similar space in new facilities or compensation at the market value of the property.

Original author: Alexander Smolin

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