Qyzylorda Sets the Tone: Kazakhstan’s First National Urban Forum Under the Auspices of UN-Habitat Brought Together Experts from Around the World, DKnews.kz reports.
Qyzylorda became the place where, for the first time in Kazakhstan, regions, the state, and the global community spoke about cities as living, changing systems with the human being at the center. On July 8, the first National Urban Forum was held here – an event that marked the beginning of a new chapter in national urbanism.
The forum was organized by the Akimat of Qyzylorda Region with the support of UN-Habitat and in partnership with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Construction, the public foundation “Vision Zero Community,” and the international architectural media platform ARCHICA.
The forum brought together architects, urbanists, representatives of state bodies, international institutions, civil society, and business.
The central theme of the discussions was the transformation of cities into sustainable, inclusive, and climate-adapted spaces. The key focus was on the role of regions in these changes.
“We are proud that it was Qyzylorda that hosted this forum. This is an important signal: regions are becoming drivers of change,” noted the Akim of Qyzylorda Region, Nurlybek Nalibayev, in his welcoming speech, adding that urban development is not about concrete and roads, but about comfort, equality, and a sustainable future.
Minister of Ecology Erlan Nysanbayev, in his speech, said that sustainable development is impossible without understanding the role of cities in the country’s social and economic system. “The socio-economic development of any state is directly linked to the development of cities. Today’s forum is an important step towards the sustainable development of regions, the advancement of the urban agenda to a new level, and the achievement of common goals,” he said.
One of the first sessions, moderated by UN-Habitat Interregional Advisor for Central Asia Katja Schaefer, set a humanitarian tone for the forum. According to her, cities are not just spaces but reflections of emotions, needs, feelings of safety and belonging. Without a focus on the human being, urbanism loses its meaning.
Director of the Global Solutions Division of UN-Habitat, Raf Tuts, emphasized that Kazakhstan is confidently positioning itself as an active participant in the global urban movement: “The city is a mirror of the future. And if we do not lay the foundations for just and sustainable development today, tomorrow we will face crises. Kazakhstan demonstrates that it is ready not only to learn but also to share its own solutions.”
The forum became not only a platform for discussions but also for experience exchange with international experts, including such well-known urbanists and architects as Harry Dobbs (United Kingdom), Riccardo Marini (United Kingdom/Italy), Yuri Milevsky (Russia/United Kingdom), Maria Skryabina (Republic of Sakha), and others.
Special attention was given to the challenges of climate change, especially relevant for the southern and western regions of the country. Practical steps to increase the resilience of cities were discussed: from nature-based solutions to digital management platforms.
In the session dedicated to regional urbanization, a key message came from Katja Schaefer: “Development cannot be centralized. We cannot build identical cities for different people.” The speakers presented concrete tools: digital cadastres, access to data, architecture sensitive to climate and culture, as well as examples of citizen participation in shaping the urban environment.
The concluding theme of the forum was climate resilience of cities, especially in the conditions of southern Kazakhstan, where high temperatures in summer, water shortages, and desertification processes directly affect the daily lives of local residents. Participants spoke about the need for adaptive architecture, microclimatic zoning, and nature-based solutions such as green corridors, water retention systems, and the integration of ecosystems into urban planning.
Experts acknowledged that the forum in Qyzylorda was not just an event but a real marker of a shift in the approach to urban policy: from abstract concepts to concrete solutions, from centralized planning to regional dialogue. Kazakhstan has not simply joined the international urbanist movement – it has declared itself as a country ready to shape its own unique agenda, centered on society, climate, and just development.
According to the organizers of the event, the results of the forum will form the basis for new strategic initiatives, and Qyzylorda has become not only a geographic but also a substantive center for the transformation of the urban environment in Kazakhstan.
“Today Qyzylorda not only hosted the Forum – it became the starting point of a new stage for the whole country. Our voice was heard in the international urbanist dialogue of UN-Habitat – and now Kazakhstan is officially marked on the map of the network of national and regional urban forums. It is a great honor for us to be partners in this process, and we are ready to continue joint work for the sustainable future of our cities,” said Indira Makhmetova, founder of ARCHICA and board member of the Creative Industries Alliance.
Summing up the forum, urban planning and sustainable city development expert and head of the Vision Zero Community foundation, Yerkanat Zaitov, added: “I’m proud that such a significant forum is taking place in Qyzylorda – a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage. It was here, from 1925 to 1929, that the first capital of the Kazakh ASSR was located. This is the homeland of Korkyt Ata and the kobyz – symbols of the steppe and the Kazakh soul. Qyzylorda is an example of how each region of Kazakhstan has its own unique potential.”
Media support for the Forum was provided by leading outlets: Informburo, The Steppe, Biz Media, Optimism.kz, DKnews.kz, Qazaqpress.kz, Qaz365.kz, Kazinform, Smartnews, and BES Media. General sponsor – Kazpetrol Group.
