How Houses Are Demolished in Almaty and Where Residents Are Relocated

How many houses will be demolished in Almaty under the renovation program, which ones — already this year, and what will residents receive in return? These questions were addressed by Krisha.kz to the Chairman of the Board of the Capital Construction Enterprise (CCE), Rinat Kurmanov.

How are dilapidated houses demolished in Almaty?

At the end of last year, Almaty adopted a new renovation program. The administrator of the program is the Almaty Social Entrepreneurial Corporation (SEC), which supervises the program. The authorized organization is the Capital Construction Enterprise (CCE), responsible for the demolition of houses and the relocation of residents.
— The conditions of the program have changed, and the differences are fundamental. Previously, there were no clear rules and standards. The process was essentially delegated to the developer, whose main priority was the profitability of the project, not the development of the urban environment. Now we are replacing dilapidated housing with modern and safe buildings. In addition to housing, we are improving the urban environment, creating jobs and public spaces.
All conditions for demolition and relocation are defined, and the rights of residents are protected.

Do all residents have a choice: a new apartment or money?

— Previously, during renovation, it was only possible to exchange an old apartment for a new one. Now monetary compensation has been introduced — but not in all cases.

There are three categories of housing:

1. First category — investment unattractive.
   Houses falling into the first category are demolished and bought out by the akimat (municipal government) at the expense of the budget. These include houses located on seismic fault lines or along red lines.
   Residents may choose monetary compensation or equivalent housing.
2. Second category — investment unattractive.
   These are plots where developers cannot implement their projects, for example, due to small land area.
   Demolition is the responsibility of CCE, and there is no buyout — only relocation to apartments from the housing stock.

On such plots, houses are built to form a relocation fund (by CCE) or commercial, industrial, recreational, and social facilities financed by SEC.

3. Third category — investment attractive.
   Houses are demolished by a private investor — a construction company. The developer buys apartments at market value or, at the owners’ request, provides equivalent housing.

If the investor uses the relocation fund, then the same area of apartments is returned in the completed building after it is commissioned.
In cases where the site of the house is designated for the construction of social, engineering, and transport infrastructure of the city, apartments will be bought out by the akimat at the expense of the budget.

Which houses are subject to demolition under renovation?

— The program covers dilapidated and unsafe houses built in the 1930s–1980s. Currently, 1,403 houses are in a pre-emergency condition. By 2030, at least 676 of them — nearly half — are planned to be renewed. Approximately 7,500 people will need to be relocated.

Are only two-story houses being demolished?

— No, not only those. The majority of dilapidated houses (1,366) are indeed two-story buildings. But the renovation program also covers:

• 3- and 4-story houses;
• private houses;
• industrial, commercial, and public buildings.

Reference: Number of dilapidated houses in Almaty:

— Turksib District — 599;
— Bostandyk District — 272;
— Zhetysu District — 131;
— Almaly District — 129;
— Alatau District — 104;
— Medeu District — 75;
— Auezov District — 69;
— Nauryzbai District — 24.

Is there a list of houses to be demolished under the renovation program?

— The list is formed on the basis of the conclusion of KazNIISA (Kazakh Scientific Research and Design Institute of Construction and Architecture). After coordination with the standing commission of the maslikhat (city council), it is approved by a resolution of the akimat. At present, this list is pending approval.

Once approved, the list will be published on the official website of the program administrator — SEC Almaty.

What are the demolition plans for 2025?

— In the first half of the year, 346 homeowners were relocated, which represents 52% of the planned 667 for this year.

Where is demolition currently underway?

— More than 90% of demolition is carried out by investors, and they may independently, without CCE’s involvement, conduct relocation, demolition, and construction of new residential buildings. As I mentioned earlier, there are 1,403 dilapidated houses in the city, of which 130 houses — slightly more than 9% — are being handled by CCE jointly with investors.

Currently, demolition is underway at 12 sites. The plan provides for the demolition of 130 houses (1,139 apartments) and the construction in their place of 135 houses with 6,355 apartments.

• Auezov District

1. Block of Suleimenov, Ryskulbekov, Prishvin, Toktabayev streets.

• Almaly District

1. Block of Baizakov, Shevchenko, Manas, Zhambyl streets.

• Bostandyk District

1. Block north of Timiryazev and east of Zhandosov streets.
   2. Block of Rozybakiyev, Satpayev, Zhandosov, Radostovets streets.

• Zhetysu District

1. Block of Botkin, Goncharov, Raiymbek, Kazakov streets.
   2. Block of Krylov, Skryabin, Goncharov, Raiymbek streets.
   3. Block of Botkin, Kazakov, Pavlenko, Raiymbek streets.
   4. Along Suyunbai avenue, 46a.

• Medeu District

1. Block of Zhetysuskaia, Zhurgenev, Tian Shan, Poltavskaia streets.

• Turksib District

1. Sauranbayev, Moldagaliyev, Tolstoy, Chernyshevsky streets (two investors are working in this block).
   2. Block of Moldagaliyev, Spartak, Tolstoy, Akynov streets.

Into what apartments are residents relocated under renovation?

— The exchange is room-for-room, meaning the new apartment will have the same number of rooms as the old one, regardless of the number of people living or registered in it.

All apartments are handed over with final finishing. They are equipped with internet, fire alarm systems, plumbing, and either gas or electric stoves.

Persons with disabilities are provided with apartments on the first floor or in buildings with elevators and ramps.

In addition, contractors provide warranties:

• for structural elements — 10 years;
• for roofing and roofing works — 7 years;
• for façades — 5 years;
• for installed equipment — 2 years;
• for all other works and materials — 2 years from the commissioning date of the facility.

The warranty period for correction of defects and deficiencies is 2 years from the date of occupancy by homeowners.

Can Almaty residents refuse demolition?

— Relocation and demolition are possible only with the consent of 100% of residents. In the event of refusal of the proposed conditions, homeowners retain the right to remain in their houses, but they themselves bear responsibility for the risks of living in dilapidated housing.

Source: Krisha.kz