In early 2024, a new city Alatau, officially appeared in Kazakhstan’s Almaty region. This project is intended to become a world-class modern metropolis, combining innovation, sustainable infrastructure, and an attractive environment for living, working, and tourism. Located between Almaty and Konaev, Alatau is set to become a financial, export-oriented, and tourist hub, integrated into international transport corridors, including the New Silk Road.
Alatau was officially established on January 9, 2024, by a decree of the Government of Kazakhstan was granted the status of a city of regional subordination. The project was initiated to create a modern urban environment capable of reducing Almaty’s infrastructural, transport, and environmental burden, as well as decreasing the migration from suburban areas.
The project is being implemented with the support of the Government of Kazakhstan, and the chief consultant for design and construction is Wong Hen Fain, a Singaporean urban planning expert with experience in Singapore, China, Indonesia, and other countries.
City Structure: Four Thematic Districts
Alatau is envisioned as a smart city consisting of four thematic districts, each with its own specialization:
• Gate District — the financial and business hub, located closer to Almaty. This district will serve as a commercial and residential cluster, attracting businesses and investors. Construction began in August 2022 (under the name Gate City) and is scheduled for completion by 2030. A residential complex and one school have already been built.
• Golden District — the education and healthcare district. Plans include the construction of a 50,000-seat stadium, numerous schools, hospitals, and an ethno-village.
Growing District — an industrial and logistics cluster. This district will host a new international airport with a passenger capacity of up to 40 million per year.
Green District — a leisure and entertainment zone v. It will feature water parks, recreation areas, and even a Kazakhstani counterpart to Disneyland.
These districts are connected along the strategic Almaty–Konaev highway, which links the city to international transport corridors, including Western Europe–Western China and North–South.
Infrastructure and Innovation
The master plan of Alatau, approved in May 2024, envisions the creation of sustainable infrastructure that meets global standards. Key elements include:
• Construction of three light rail transit (LRT) lines, with an expected passenger flow of up to 200,000 people per day.
• By 2050, the city will have more than 100 schools, including 40 schools designed for 2,000 students in each district.
• Alatau positions itself as a city implementing resource-saving technologies, making it a potential model for the development of other Kazakhstani cities.
Investment and International Cooperation
The Alatau project is actively attracting international investors. In May 2025, the city was presented at the International Industrial Cooperation Conference in Singapore, which gathered over 400 companies. The presentation drew the attention of major players, including KPMG Korea and Singapore’s DBS Bank.
Investors from Singapore allocated 690 bln tenge for the construction of data centers. Participation of Chinese enterprises and South Korean companies, such as GL Rapha, is also being discussed in the construction of a biopharmaceutical plant and diagnostic centers.
To attract investments, the city was granted the status of a special economic zone with tax and customs incentives, as well as the possibility of applying the legal framework of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC).