Why Kazakhstan Needs a “California” Model for Construction

Kazakhstan has long profited from oil and ore, but its foundations are built on sand: roads crumble, bridges crack, and buildings deteriorate within just a few years.

The problem, argues Orda.kz columnist Ravil Abashidze, lies in impersonal company licenses that shield individuals from responsibility.

The solution is to adopt a “California” model — personal licenses, insurance, and a registry of violations — to prevent disasters like the tragedy in Türkiye.

Living on Sand

Since its independence in 1991, Kazakhstan has earned billions from resource exports. Yet instead of modern schools, hospitals, and safe highways, the public sees patched-over potholes, unsafe bridges, and new homes already falling apart.

Construction has become a symbol of corruption.

The key issue is licensing. Permits are issued to firms, not specialists, enabling intermediaries to win billion-tenge tenders, miss deadlines, and vanish without personal liability. Engineers are leaving the country, the profession is losing prestige, and taxpayers foot the bill again and again.

California’s Approach

California, the world’s fourth-largest economy, ties every construction project to personal responsibility.

Licenses are issued to individuals — engineers, architects, or foremen — who must prove qualifications and pass exams. Insurance and bonds are mandatory, and violations can lead to license revocation, fines, or even criminal charges.

Türkiye’s Tragedy

The February 2023 earthquake in Türkiye exposed what happens when oversight fails. Tens of thousands died, as new buildings collapsed.

Middlemen builders cut corners, skimped on materials, and evaded responsibility. The government tightened laws only after families lost loved ones.

What Kazakhstan Must Do

To avoid similar tragedies, urgent reforms  are needed:

• Introduce personal licensing for engineers, foremen, and architects
  
• Create a public register of licenses and violations
  
• Mandate insurance and guarantee bonds to protect clients and the state
  
• Strictly regulate subcontracting — no unlicensed intermediary work
  
• Enforce real accountability, from fines to criminal charges

President Toqayev has repeatedly warned that corruption is destroying Kazakhstan and promised that citizens deserve better. But fine words won’t save you if a bridge is collapsing or a road is crumbling.

Original Author: Ravil Abashidze

Ravil Abashidze is a civil engineer and infrastructure expert with more than 20 years of experience managing projects in Kazakhstan, including bridges, transport interchanges, residential complexes, and industrial facilities.

He specializes in earthquake-resistant structures and large-scale construction management.