In recent years, the population of Almaty has been actively growing, and at the same time the city is facing the inevitable problem of obsolescence of housing and infrastructure. A significant part of the urban development dates back to the 1960s and 1980s, which requires the immediate attention of the authorities, developers and residents themselves. In the current reality, without comprehensive renovation, the city may face a decrease in the level of comfort for living due to dense residential buildings, as well as a decrease in investment attractiveness. The environmental problem is also acute, aggravated by unsystematic construction, which negatively affects the quality of life of citizens, according to Colliers Kazakhstan experts.
Renovation is becoming a necessary step to improve the quality of life of citizens and upgrade urban infrastructure. To date, there are 1,366 dilapidated houses in Almaty, in which more than 43 thousand people live. Most of these buildings are two-story reed-frame or stone houses. The renovation program will also affect commercial and industrial facilities that require renovation.
The "Almaty Housing Renovation Program until 2030", approved on November 29, 2024, covers the modernization of 676 dilapidated houses. The program will be implemented in accordance with the city's Master Plan until 2040. The key principle of the program is an integrated approach instead of a point–by-point development.
According to official data, the largest concentration of dilapidated housing in Almaty is noted in the Turksib district, where 586 objects are located that are subject to renovation. The program plans to demolish 128 houses by 2030.
This year, it is planned to demolish 14 dilapidated houses, and within two years to build eight new residential buildings with a total capacity of 240 apartments
What prevents effective renovation?
The main problems that arise in the implementation of programs for the renovation of dilapidated housing:
What to save and what to rethink?
In accordance with Almaty's status as a cultural capital, the preservation of cultural and historical identity and the atmosphere of low-rise buildings in the districts are also taken into account. Historically valuable facilities such as the Green Bazaar and the Tselinny cinema are being modernized and reinterpreted.
When choosing the future fate of multi-family residential buildings, it is necessary to take into account their general construction and engineering condition, compliance with earthquake resistance requirements, the degree of moral and physical deterioration, as well as the potential for modernization. For example, in Slovakia, in the city of Rimavska Sobota, a complete modernization of a panel house was carried out to meet modern requirements. This approach of "soft renovation" can be more cost-effective and will help preserve the historical appearance of the area along with creating comfortable and safe living conditions.
The presence of signs of accidents and the location of houses in areas of increased seismic activity necessitate a complete renovation with the dismantling of outdated structures and the creation of sustainable, energy-efficient buildings of a new generation that will meet modern standards of safety, comfort and quality of the urban environment.
Such measures make it possible not only to create comfortable conditions and minimize risks for living, but also to restart the development of neighborhoods through new public spaces, social infrastructure and sustainable transport solutions.
International renovation experience
To develop an effective strategy for the renovation of the Almaty housing stock, the city authorities turned to international experience. Renovation is implemented in different countries with an emphasis on unique social, economic and infrastructural features, but all successful cases are united by a systematic approach, sustainability and focus on quality of life.
Russia: scale and infrastructure
One of the most notable examples in the post-Soviet space was the renovation program in Moscow, which started in 2017. It covers more than 5,000 residential buildings and provides for the relocation of over a million people. The program includes not only the replacement of outdated housing, but also the creation of a full-fledged urban environment: the construction of new schools, clinics, kindergartens, transport infrastructure and green areas. Despite the scale, the project faced a number of challenges, from compensation issues to the preservation of the historical appearance of the districts.
Great Britain: the synergy of government and business
In Britain, the Decent Homes program, which is actively implemented with the participation of private capital, has become the main tool for housing renovation. This made it possible to mobilize additional resources and accelerate the pace of construction. The program focuses on creating affordable and high-quality housing, especially for low-income segments of the population.
France: renovation as an integration tool
In France, renovation is used not only to improve living conditions, but also as a tool of social policy. The ANRU program is aimed at updating disadvantaged areas while preserving architectural heritage. Buildings of historical value are being restored, and new houses are being built taking into account the cultural context. This contributes to the preservation of urban identity and social stability.
Germany: focus on energy efficiency
Germany focuses on environmental and sustainable solutions. Renovation programs in this country combine the demolition of worn-out buildings with the construction of energy-efficient houses. Subsidies and preferential loans are provided to residents, and many projects use innovative building materials that reduce their carbon footprint. Berlin, in particular, demonstrates successful examples of quarterly renovation with a high level of comfort and positive environmental impact.
Japan: earthquake resistance as a priority
For Japan, renovation is primarily a matter of safety. The country regularly implements programs for the demolition of buildings that do not comply with seismic standards and the construction of new earthquake-resistant houses. Such initiatives are accompanied by government support, including financial incentives for owners.
Advantages of the updated renovation program in Almaty:
Successful implementation of the program will allow:
Thus, comprehensive renovation is not just the replacement of old houses with new ones, but a strategic approach that should provide Almaty with a better urban environment, increase the level of provision of the population with all necessary social infrastructure, improve the environmental situation and increase investment attractiveness. Existing programs and initiatives allow us to be cautiously optimistic about the future of the old districts of Almaty, but success will depend on how effectively we can build a dialogue between the government, business and local residents.
A source: https://kapital.kz/real_estate/137611/kak-vdohnut-novuyu-zhizn-v-starye-rajony-almaty.html