On July 8, 2025, Qyzylorda will take center stage in Kazakhstan’s urban development agenda. For the first time ever, the National Urban Forum will be held not in the capital, but in a regional city — a bold and symbolic move that signals a shift in how the country views growth, sustainability, and local leadership, DKnews.kz reports.
The event will take place at the “Öner Ortalygy” cultural center, supported by the Akimat of the Qyzylorda Region, along with UN-Habitat, the Ministry of Industry and Construction, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Why Qyzylorda — and why now?
It’s not Astana. It’s not Almaty. And that’s exactly the point.
Hosting the forum in Qyzylorda — a mid-sized, non-central city — sends a clear message: the future of cities doesn’t start at the top, it starts from the ground up. In a time of rapid urbanization and climate uncertainty, regional centers like Qyzylorda have a key role to play in shaping inclusive, climate-smart, and human-centered cities.
The forum’s motto says it all: “Urban future starts in the regions.”
More than a meeting — a national conversation
The National Urban Forum will bring together voices from across sectors: government officials, international experts, city planners, architects, researchers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Among the featured speakers:
- Nurlybek Nalibayev, Akim of Qyzylorda Region
- Ersayin Nagaspayev, Minister of Industry and Construction
- Yerlan Nysanbayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources
- Akan Rakhmatullin, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Rafael Tuts, Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat
- Sukhrob Khodjimatov, Acting Resident Representative of UNDP in Kazakhstan
Their participation confirms the forum’s role as a high-level platform for shaping Kazakhstan’s sustainable urban future.
From policy to people: the key themes
Under the main theme — “Complex Urban Transformation from the Regions” — the forum will explore how to build cities that are balanced, inclusive, and resilient to climate change. Key topics include:
- Adapting the New Urban Agenda and SDGs to local realities
- Building urban identity and place-based planning approaches
- Climate-resilient infrastructure and housing
- Empowering youth and communities in city governance
- Linking housing, labor, and mobility in urban economies
- Strengthening city–village connections
- Funding urban transformation through partnerships
- Data-driven and digital city planning
It’s a practical agenda — one rooted in realities on the ground, not just policies on paper.
Global minds, local change
The forum will host a diverse lineup of global experts who’ve worked across continents and cultures. They’ll bring bold ideas and proven solutions to the table, including:
- Harry Dobbs (UK), architect and founder of The WellGroup
- Riccardo Marini (Italy), founder of Marini Urbanismo
- John Mark Clancy (USA), founder and director of The Big Picture
- Yuri Melyavsky (Israel), co-founder of NOVAYA Labs, an urban data-driven consultancy
These professionals will share insights on everything from resilient design to urban data systems, with relevance for both major cities and regional hubs like Qyzylorda.
The bigger picture: what this means for Kazakhstan
Qyzylorda is more than a host city — it’s a test case for Kazakhstan’s broader vision of inclusive urban development. With its arid climate, unique heritage, and evolving economy, Qyzylorda faces the very challenges that many other cities will encounter in years to come.
By starting the conversation here, Kazakhstan is signaling that urban innovation can — and should — begin in the regions.
Partners behind the push
The forum is made possible thanks to key partners:
- Vision Zero Community Public Foundation
- ARCHICA, an international architectural media platform
- Creative Industries Alliance of Qazaqstan
- Kazpetrol Group, the general sponsor
Together, they represent a growing coalition of organizations that see cities not just as spaces — but as engines of creativity, inclusion, and sustainability.
A beginning, not an end
The forum will conclude with a presentation of new initiatives — but that’s just the start. What Qyzylorda offers is a platform, a spark, and a statement: the urban future isn’t something to be imposed — it’s something we build together, from the ground up.
The National Urban Forum 2025 isn’t just an event. It’s a declaration that Kazakhstan’s cities — and its future — are shaped in the regions.
