On July 4 in Astana, URBAN TALKS ASTANA took place with the support of “NIPI AstanaGenplan” LLP and the international media platform ARCHICA. This dialogue of experts marked the starting point in a series of events leading up to the National Urban Forum 2025, which will be held on July 8 in Qyzylorda. Ideas capable of reshaping the approach to urban development in Qazaqstan were voiced in the “AstanaGenplan” model hall, DKnews.kz reports.
The event featured headlining speakers:
- Harry Dobbs — a globally renowned architect and founder of Harry Dobbs Design (UK), whose portfolio spans major cities from London to Riyadh. His approach combines strategic planning with the integration of creative industries into urban development.
- Yury Milevsky — co-founder and CEO of the analytical company Novaya Labs (UK), an expert in risk assessment and innovation management in urban contexts. Before founding the company, he held senior academic positions at the Higher School of Urbanism at HSE University.
Their presentations set the tone for future discussions, highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing Qazaqstani cities. The integration of international expertise with local context was emphasized, positioning URBAN TALKS as part of a continuous professional dialogue between the capital and the regional centers.
URBAN TALKS ASTANA and the upcoming forum in Qyzylorda form a coherent sequence — a journey from identifying urban challenges to shaping actionable solutions.
On July 8, both Harry Dobbs and Yury Milevsky will take part in thematic sessions of the National Urban Forum 2025. The session “Implementing Qazaqstan’s Urban Agenda at the Regional Level” will also feature Daniyar Chindaliyev, Head of the Urban Center at the “AstanaGenplan” Research Institute.
The National Urban Forum 2025 is supported by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and is part of a three-tier system of events that includes:
- national urban forums as a platform for local dialogue and decision-making,
- regional meetings based on geographic groupings,
- and the World Urban Forum — a global space for exchange of knowledge and advancement of sustainable urban development agendas.
