Mynzhyldyk Alley, Astana, Kazakhstan for Akimat with LDA Design and Centre of Urbanism

The Mynzhyldyk Alley covers 1,000 hectares. The new masterplan is designed to support growth, fitting into city-wide ambitions for Astana that will meet the needs of an expected one million increase in population, accommodating approximately 216,900 residents in the project area by 2035. Two design tenets underpin the Mynzhyldyk Alley masterplan’s approach, to move quickly and live slowly. These are game-changing for a city in this region and signify a major change in direction towards liveability, sociability and wellbeing.

Who is on the project team?

Masterplanner / landscape architect  - LDA Design 

local architect -  BAQ 

Describe the context of this project, its neighbourhood and people?

The Mynzhyldyk Alley covers 1,000 hectares. The new masterplan is designed to support growth, fitting into city-wide ambitions for Astana that will meet the needs of an expected one million increase in population, accommodating approximately 216,900 residents in the project area by 2035. Green infrastructure integrates five parks including a central linear park and 25 public gardens. There will be 29.55 hectares of soft green landscape. The new masterplan is implementing sponge city principles as part of a more accessible urban landscape, and the design includes 3.8 hectares of retention pools that can store excess water following heavy snowfall. All the city’s new spaces are designed to provide shaded retreats, support biodiversity, and mitigate climate impacts. In total, proposals include building 164 new schools, 178 kindergartens and nearly 100 health centres – many within the Alley. Schools, nurseries and youth centres will provide every neighbourhood with facilities for creativity and learning. Childcare hubs are sited within 250 metres of residential areas. This ensures equitable access to opportunities and support, cultivating a sense of belonging within neighbourhoods and fostering talent. The city-wide masterplan to transform Astana requires an estimated investment of £11 billion.

What is the social and environmental impact of the project? For example, how will the carbon use and material impact of the development be mitigated? What is the sustainability strategy? How will this future place contribute to the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of its citizens?  

The Mynzhyldyk Alley masterplan seeks to enhance mobility and comfort year-round, introducing dedicated bus lanes, charging points, e-scooters and e-bike docking stations to support a network of 15-minute neighbourhoods. This is very different to how the city has been conceived of to date. Eleven minutes of walking a day improves health yet Astana’s harsh winters make even this challenging. So, pathways will be sheltered, with soft lighting, and cycle lanes trace-heated from renewable sources to prevent lying snow and ice. The masterplan also incorporates white networks with blue infrastructure. Over four hectares of swales will collect and filter storm water, also serving as playful water features. During winter, 70% of their surface area can store snow, preventing disruptions to transport routes and managing meltwater to minimise flood risks. During summer and the dry season, when the temperature of surface soil can reach 70°C, the spaces then transform into rocky gardens and natural playgrounds, offering shaded areas for recreation and socialising. This adaptive approach enhances urban resilience and creates inviting spaces that encourage year-round community engagement. Strong green and blue infrastructure is designed to connect people to nature, and the quieter residential areas will feature gardens. The aim is to protect and improve biodiversity and new planting will be selected to thrive in a challenging climate with low-winter temperatures. 

Please explain the governance of the project, such as its viability, purpose, motivation and any consultation and community engagement undertaken. 

The Akimat, Astana’s governing council and project sponsors, has been involved at every stage of public consultation with community meetings and outreach, marking a shift toward greater openness and engagement. The project benefits from the Akimat and the Centre of Urbanism placing health, wellbeing and nature at the forefront of political and societal priorities, in part because of recent floods and fires in Kazakhstan. An Astana GenPlan has directed the city’s development so far. However, its recent refresh failed to meet the expectations of politicians and citizens, given the growing recognition of an urgent need for a better balance between growth and environmental management. The country is implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and Astana itself aims for 52% green cover by 2030 in its greening policy. The discussion around the masterplan for Mynzhyldyk Alley has revealed strong appetite to see tangible improvements. In fact, residents have called for an eco-city vision, with green corridors connecting suburban forest belts to urban parks. They want the benefits from green spaces, cleaner air that’s also cooler in summer, carbon capture, stronger biodiversity and better mental health.