Almaty’s Interactive Urban Planning Map: Progress So Far

Speaking at a meeting on Almaty's development on March 17, 2021, the Head of State emphasized that the Almaty city administration should develop an interactive urban planning map to ensure maximum transparency in the sector. The Urban Planning and Urbanism Department explained how this instruction was being implemented.

The department noted that an interactive map for monitoring construction projects had been created in the city.

“The web resource based on the Almaty city geoportal was developed in accordance with the instruction of the President of Kazakhstan,” the department emphasized.

The interactive map contains all necessary information on multifamily residential complex projects: project name, developer, cadastral number, conceptual design approval, issued architectural planning assignments, construction start and commissioning dates, design and technical supervision, building footprint, number of floors and apartments, and construction information sheet.

The resource provides information on local site conditions (existing buildings, hydrography, landscaping) and land use restrictions (red lines, water protection strips and zones, the Master Plan, detailed planning projects, and recreational zones).

As the service develops, the interactive map will also show information on social facilities under construction (schools, kindergartens, clinics), roadworks, and individual housing construction projects.

The city has also developed Rules for Shaping Almaty's Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning. These are currently awaiting approval.

According to the department, the new rules strictly regulate construction in the city center.

In particular, a special legal regime establishes the following construction restrictions in specially regulated urban planning zones:

• Permitted number of floors under the height regulations established by these rules;

• Restrictions on building density and site coverage ratio;

• Architectural design of building and structure facades;

• Permitted types of functional use of buildings and structures;

• Construction in protected zones around historical and architectural monuments;

• Building and structure shapes and volumes;

• Use of street furniture and small architectural elements;

• Site improvements and landscaping;

• Operation and maintenance of existing buildings and structures;

• Signs and advertising structures;

• Use and placement of small architectural elements and temporary retail facilities;

• Installation and repair of engineering utilities;

• A ban on demolition of buildings and structures classified as historical and architectural monuments.

Areas of Almaty classified as specially regulated urban planning zones:

• The historic center within boundaries approved by the city's Master Plan;

• Historical and architectural monument sites and their protected zones;

• Natural and recreational areas of Almaty;

• Areas within the water protection strips of Almaty's rivers;

• Foothill and mountain areas;

• Areas along major city roads on sections connecting the central core with city hubs or linking hubs to one another, including major entrances to the city;

• Public space areas;

• Areas with special geological conditions;

• Residential courtyard areas.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also stressed the need to renovate old houses and plant more greenery in the city.

Under the renovation program, more than 700 dilapidated houses are scheduled for demolition. Previously, under a pilot program for demolishing dilapidated houses in Almaty in 2012-2015, 56 deteriorated houses were demolished and 63 multifamily residential buildings were constructed.

“The city has older buildings whose condition poses a threat to people's lives or health. Renovating this housing stock will allow new, functional, modern facilities to replace the old houses. The cleared sites will accommodate not only new housing but also public services, new utilities, parks, boulevards, squares, and public spaces,” the Almaty Social and Entrepreneurial Corporation reported.

In addition, a 2021-2025 housing stock renovation program has been launched, with plans to demolish 708 dilapidated residential buildings and construct 683 new residential buildings. The program provides two implementation mechanisms: projects carried out by Almaty SEC JSC and a private investor, and projects financed by the government. Earlier reports discussed which new park areas would appear in Almaty and how they would be discussed with residents.

Source: https://www.inform.kz