In the coming years, Almaty plans to establish new business and tourism hubs, a water canal with waterfront promenades, and large-scale public spaces. The key changes are linked to the city’s transition to a polycentric urban development model, El.kz reports.
The city will develop according to a polycentric model. Instead of concentrating key functions in a single city centre, several urban areas are planned where housing, employment, social infrastructure, retail facilities, and recreational amenities will be integrated.
Development of the “Western Gate”
Recently, Almaty Akim Darkhan Satybaldy reviewed the progress of projects being implemented in the “Western Gate” and “Eastern Gate” polycentres.
The “Western Gate” polycentre covers nearly 300 hectares. The city is developing the engineering infrastructure, while private developers are constructing residential, social, commercial, cultural, and entertainment facilities.
The area is to be developed under a unified master concept. The city administration is placing particular emphasis on public spaces, parks, landscaping, pedestrian and cycling routes, as well as the development of public transport.
This approach is intended to transform the character of new development. The area is planned to be developed in an integrated manner, ensuring that residential neighbourhoods are located alongside social and commercial infrastructure.
Infrastructure development in the “Eastern Gate”
Basic engineering infrastructure is already being developed in the “Eastern Gate” area. Over 16 km of water supply networks and 77 km of electricity networks are being constructed. The area is planned to become a new business and tourism hub featuring major public and recreational facilities.
One of the most prominent projects will be the so-called “Almaty Venice”. Plans also include the construction of a canal with a waterfront promenade, around which a new public space is expected to take shape.
At the same time, construction of major urban facilities is underway. These include a new stadium and Almaty Promenade, conceived as a public and recreational area centred around a water ecosystem.
The development of polycentres is expected to gradually redistribute urban activity among different parts of Almaty. In the coming years, the most significant changes will be visible in the “Eastern Gate” and “Western Gate” areas, where infrastructure, housing, public spaces, and major business and tourism facilities are being developed simultaneously.
