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Urban development

Bishkek Unveils New Master Plan for 2050

Kyrgyz authorities have submitted a draft law outlining a new master plan for the development of Bishkek through 2050, now open for public discussion. The document defines long-term priorities for the capital's growth across several sectors, including transport infrastructure, environmental management, economic development, and spatial expansion. Once adopted, the plan will become the principal framework for territorial planning and will be legally binding for decisions related to construction and land use. According to the draft, Bishkek's official population is expected to rise from 1.3 million to 1.9 million by 2050. However, the city is already believed to house approximately 2 million people, with urban development having long exceeded administrative boundaries. As a result, Bishkek is currently facing critical shortages of housing, employment, and transport infrastructure. The plan's authors stress that continued development of the city center alone is no longer viable, as it is already overburdened in terms of both transport and utilities. To address this, the master plan proposes moving away from the current "center-bedroom" model. Instead, employment opportunities should be created within districts and suburbs, supported by improved transport accessibility across all parts of the city. This approach aims to reduce commuting to the center, alleviate traffic congestion, and lessen pressure on the road network. Key infrastructure upgrades include the introduction of an intra-city railway and a high-speed bus system operating along dedicated corridors. A network of transport hubs will also be established, with the goal of reducing residents’ reliance on private vehicles. Developed in 2025 by the Bishkek City Hall in cooperation with the Scientific Research Institute of Prospective Urban Development in St. Petersburg, the plan is now being updated based on public feedback. The most contentious element of the proposal is the renovation program, which calls for the demolition of a substantial number of two, three, and four-storey buildings in central areas and along major roads. Many residents are concerned that state compensation for demolished properties may fall short of market value, a topic that has become one of the most debated during public consultations. Environmental improvements are also a core component. Bishkek frequently ranks among the most polluted cities in the Eurasia region. To address this, the plan includes a “green framework” for the city: expanding river and canal beds, creating green corridors, and enhancing recreational zones.

Urban development

Kyrgyzstan Urged to Shift from Rural Focus to Urban Development

Kyrgyzstan must develop modern urban infrastructure and gradually move away from its predominantly rural development model, according to Nurdan Oruntayev, Director of the State Agency for Architecture, Construction, and Housing and Utilities. Speaking to local media, Oruntayev emphasized the need for a strategic transition toward urbanization to drive economic growth and job creation. Master plans for the development of the towns of Karakol, Manas, and Osh have already been approved. These include the construction of high-rise residential buildings, signaling a broader shift toward urban expansion. “We must develop cities and move toward an urban infrastructure system. We must have megacities. The construction industry makes a significant contribution to the economy and provides jobs for many citizens,” Oruntayev said. He noted that the average annual growth in real estate prices in Kyrgyzstan ranges between 20-30 percent, reflecting strong demand and rising investor interest. According to official data, construction has been a primary driver of economic growth in recent years, with GDP growth consistently exceeding 10 percent. However, this rapid development has raised concerns among local communities. In an interview with the Times of Central Asia, Albina Alimova, a tour guide from Karakol, criticized the city’s master plan for ignoring input from the tourism sector, despite tourism being a key regional revenue source. She warned that unchecked construction was compromising the city’s historical character. “New buildings are blocking historic sites and views. Karakol has streets with late 19th-century stonework, old merchant houses, and a museum. We take tourists there, in part for the mountain views. But all of this is gradually being built up, and the city's former appearance may be lost,” she said. Similar concerns have emerged in Bishkek, where city authorities are preparing a renovation program that would replace older buildings with high-rise developments. Residents say the city’s growing density has disrupted natural wind patterns and worsened environmental conditions. The capital’s master plan, developed with input from St. Petersburg-based urban planners, also flagged excessive building density in some districts as a key issue.

Urban development

Kazakhstan Launches Smart City Project in Taldykorgan

The Taldykorgan City Administration (akimat), Kazakh telecommunications company ASTEL, and French Internet of Things (IoT) solutions developer Actility have signed a memorandum of cooperation to implement a Smart City project in the town of Taldykorgan. The initiative, based on LoRaWAN technology, will establish a comprehensive urban monitoring system aimed at improving city management and residents’ quality of life. The agreement was signed in Paris during the 16th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Kazakhstan and France. The project involves deploying a LoRaWAN-based IoT network that will collect real-time data from environmental sensors across the city. This data will feed into a centralized monitoring platform, enabling municipal services to respond swiftly to environmental changes. The initiative also includes urban transport management and measures to enhance safety in schools. Taldykorgan Governor (akim) Ernat Bazil told The Times of Central Asia that the memorandum represents a key milestone in the city’s digital development strategy. According to Bazil, the project aims not only to introduce cutting-edge technologies but also to deliver tangible improvements for residents, such as better environmental oversight, more efficient public services, enhanced public transport, and safer educational institutions. Full implementation of the Smart City system is scheduled for 2026. ASTEL President Miras Kasymov said the LoRaWAN-based project in Taldykorgan will serve as a model for scalable smart city solutions across Kazakhstan, marking an important advancement in the country’s digital infrastructure. The project is supported by the French government’s FASEP program (Fonds d'Études et d'Aide au Secteur Privé) and the French Embassy in Kazakhstan. Actility, a global leader in IoT and LoRaWAN technologies, serves as the technical partner. The company’s platform is currently used in over 70 countries. Actility CEO Olivier Hersent noted that the Taldykorgan project aligns with FASEP’s goals of promoting innovation in urban safety, environmental monitoring, and sustainable development, particularly in small and mid-sized cities. French Ambassador to Kazakhstan Sylvain Guillegot said the initiative highlights France’s commitment to supporting digital transformation in Kazakhstan’s regions. He described the project as a concrete example of Franco-Kazakh collaboration in infrastructure modernization and sustainable development. The system is set to launch in 2026. If successful, it could be replicated in other cities throughout Kazakhstan. LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) is an energy-efficient, cost-effective wireless communication protocol widely used for IoT deployments, especially in smart urban infrastructure projects.

Urban development

Pakistani Developer Proposes “New Uzbekistan” Complex in Islamabad

Uzbekistan and Pakistan are exploring new avenues for cooperation in urban development, with discussions underway to construct a “New Uzbekistan” residential complex and park in Pakistan's capital Islamabad. The talks were reported by the Dunyo news agency following a meeting between Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtaev and representatives of Pakistani developer Habib Rafiq Pvt. Ltd. According to Dunyo, both sides discussed launching joint initiatives and strengthening long-term partnerships. Tukhtaev briefed the company’s leadership on Uzbekistan’s investment climate, including the role of free economic zones, the nationwide construction of New Uzbekistan residential areas, and the ongoing New Tashkent city project. He also highlighted the tax and customs incentives available to foreign investors, administrative support for large-scale developments, and Uzbekistan’s strategic location along key Eurasian transport corridors. Habib Rafiq’s General Manager, Aslam Malik, praised Uzbekistan’s reform efforts, stating that they offer “very favorable conditions for foreign investors, especially in construction and infrastructure.” He noted that simplified procedures and expanded business guarantees are already yielding results. “We are well aware of the changes taking place in Uzbekistan’s construction sector,” Malik said. “In recent years, the country has gained substantial experience in infrastructure development, modern housing, and new urban planning. We are interested in studying this experience and participating in future projects.” The Pakistani side also showcased its flagship Capital Smart City development, a large-scale project near Islamabad covering 2,800 hectares. The complex already features residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, sports facilities, and modern recreational parks. Construction is also underway on Silicon Village, envisioned as a local version of Silicon Valley. Malik proposed establishing a New Uzbekistan residential area and park within Capital Smart City, contributing to projects in New Tashkent, and organizing leadership visits to Uzbekistan. He also invited leading Uzbek construction companies to participate in projects in Pakistan. Abid Kabir Chima, CEO of Silicon Village, expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Uzbekistan’s technopark.

public transport

Survey Reveals 41% of Bishkek Residents Use Private Cars, Exacerbating Air Pollution

As part of preparations for a new urban development plan, Bishkek’s municipal authorities have conducted a comprehensive survey to understand how residents of the capital and its suburbs navigate the city. According to the results, 41% of respondents rely on private transportation, including personal vehicles and taxis, while 38% use municipal public transport, primarily buses. The remaining 21% get around on foot, by bicycle, or by scooter, including electric scooters. The most frequented destination for city residents is the downtown area, which accounts for the majority of work-related and other daily trips. The Bishkek City Administration stated that the survey data will be used to design a more efficient and balanced urban transportation system aimed at enhancing public transit services. Traffic congestion remains a critical issue in Bishkek, a city experiencing rapid population growth. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, motor vehicles, particularly older models lacking catalytic converters, are responsible for approximately 30% of the city’s air pollution. Vehicle numbers in the capital have surged in recent years. Bishkek now hosts more than 700,000 vehicles, nearly double the road infrastructure’s intended capacity of 350,000. Over 300,000 of these vehicles are more than 15 years old, making them significant contributors to harmful emissions. In response, the city has taken steps to modernize its public transportation fleet. Recent initiatives include replacing diesel-powered buses with larger, more environmentally friendly models powered by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Culture

Urban Night Almaty: Creative Communities and the Future of Central Asia

Ecology, entrepreneurship, and innovation in urban life were the central themes of Urban Night Almaty, a one-day festival held last Saturday in Kazakhstan’s largest city. The event sought to answer a key question: Can small-scale initiatives and grassroots communities meaningfully improve life in a metropolis? Organizers and attendees alike believe they can. The festival drew together a wide array of participants, recycling advocates, artists, artisans, confectioners, cosmetics producers, startup founders, writers, journalists, students, sociologists, urbanists, architects, and entrepreneurs, each contributing to a shared vision of sustainable, inclusive urban development. [caption id="attachment_36181" align="aligncenter" width="350"] @Eduard Galeev[/caption] “Each of us lives in our own information bubble, and events like this push us to step outside of it. We’re all different, but we can achieve something together,” said ecologist Pakizat Sailaubekova. “Looking at the people who came to the festival and how moved they are, it’s inspiring.” Discussion and Decision-Making Urban Night Almaty was organized around several thematic zones. One area was dedicated to public discussions on technology, education, and ecology. Bekežan Kaigaliev, founder of Food Recycling and Aquajem, presented on the use of fly larvae to process organic waste in large cities. Alexey Kupriakov, founder of the Green Workout movement, shared ideas on integrating eco-friendly practices into urban planning. Zhuldyz Saulbekova, CEO of the Almaty Air Initiative, spoke about technological solutions for combatting air pollution and chronic smog. [caption id="attachment_36180" align="aligncenter" width="350"] @Eduard Galeev[/caption] Other panels focused on educational innovation. Journalist and PR expert Anuarbek Zhalel, alongside Nursultan Amirkhan, product manager at Daryn.online, discussed promoting startups and integrating new tools in learning environments. A separate session brought together alumni of U.S. internship programs. Among them were athlete and IT specialist Aina Dosmakhambet, lawyer Zhibek Karamanova, and Yerzhan Nauruzbayev, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree with professional experience across three continents. Practice and Inspiration Beyond the panels, attendees participated in workshops and creative performances. Highlights included a sports-themed cleanup organized by Kupriakov and an urban exploration of Almaty led by the GoroZhanym project. An eco-themed market showcased small-scale producers offering food, toys, jewelry, souvenirs, and hygiene products. Many entrepreneurs shared stories of how their ventures, though modest in scale, contribute to making Almaty cleaner and more future-oriented. [caption id="attachment_36183" align="aligncenter" width="233"] @Eduard Galeev[/caption] “We often speak in terms of global problems, but it’s essential to respect action at the micro level,” said political analyst Dosym Satpaev. “Thanks to social media, even the smallest project can gain traction. The more of these we have, the stronger our creative economy becomes. These are the foundations for national stability, development, and retaining talent.” Satpaev also hosted a futurology session addressing the challenges and prospects artificial intelligence presents for Central Asia. The festival concluded with a tұsaуkeser ceremony, a Kazakh tradition that involves cutting a symbolic cord representing a newborn's first steps. The cords, handcrafted by members of the Niti Dobra movement (which supports premature infants), symbolized renewal and the strengthening of ties between citizens and their city. [caption id="attachment_36179" align="aligncenter" width="350"] @Eduard Galeev[/caption] Regional Reach “Our...