At the end of last year, the Maslikhat of Almaty approved a housing renovation program until 2030. Its main goal is to provide residents of dilapidated houses with modern, safe and comfortable housing. The program involves not only the demolition of outdated buildings, but also a comprehensive renovation of the urban environment – infrastructure development, creation of new jobs and improvement of the architectural appearance of the city.
We have collected the stories of Almaty residents who participated in the renovation and received new apartments to show how the program affects the city and people's lives.
A new apartment after three quarters of a century
A mother of six children, a grandmother of seven grandchildren, and once a great-grandmother, Mausymbekova Nurzie Turysbekkyzy is 83 years old, 74 of whom, a pensioner, lived in a house built in 1951. The two-story reed-frame building eventually fell into disrepair: the roof began to leak, the wiring was shorted, and the sewer pipes were worn out. Further living in dilapidated housing has become unsafe. The pensioner began to consider resettlement options.
— "Our house has been included in the renovation program and we have been offered a choice of new apartments in various areas of the city. We chose the one we liked, and four months later we celebrated a housewarming party," says Nurzia Turysbekzy.
It should be noted that as part of the renovation program, the displaced receive apartments immediately in finishing. The houses have Internet connection, fire alarm system, new plumbing and earthenware, gas or electric stove.
— "The apartment is spacious, bright, has a separate kitchen, a comfortable living room and a bedroom. We didn't have to do any repairs. Now my children and grandchildren often come to me, and I myself enjoy peace," Nurzia Turysbekzy noted.
Comfort and safety after 30 years in a dilapidated house
The Litvinov family lived in a dilapidated house for about 30 years. The two-storey building regularly had problems with utilities, and the structures were significantly worn out.
— "The floors in the house sagged, the roof leaked, the walls crumbled. We were afraid to live there. They asked us to relocate," says Vladimir Litvinov.
As part of the renovation program, the family received an apartment in a new building in exchange for old housing and now enjoys comfort and security.
— "At first, of course, we were worried. But after we saw the finished apartments, the doubts disappeared. In addition to finishing and plumbing, the new housing was significantly larger than the old one. We really moved into a modern and spacious apartment," he recalls.
From stove heating to modern comfort
Mamytkhan Tanirbergenuly, a pensioner, lived in a dilapidated house with stove heating for 32 years before moving to a new home.
"My house was located at the intersection of Rayymbek and Tlendiev streets. For more than 30 years, I had to heat the stove every day. Considering my age, it was very difficult for me to live there," the pensioner shares.
The move was a real relief for him. Now Mamytkhan Tanirbergenuly is not worried about heating, but enjoys the comforts of a modern apartment.
— "After moving to a new house under the renovation program, my conditions, thank God, have improved. There is heat, hot and cold water, gas, bathroom, spacious kitchen. I am very happy."
How the new renovation program works
The housing renovation program until 2030 involves an integrated approach to renovation: along with a person's place of residence, their lifestyle changes, their living environment improves, new public spaces, workplaces, and urban services appear. At the same time, the aesthetic architectural and urban appearance of the city is being formed.
The administrator of the program is JSC SEC Almaty, and the authorized organization is LLP “Capital Construction Company of the Akimat of Almaty City” ("KQK").
The program provides three compensation options for owners of dilapidated housing. The first option is to exchange old housing for new ones on a room–for-room basis, regardless of the number of residents. The second option is to transfer equivalent housing after the completion of the construction of a new house, while the "KQK" or the investor will provide temporary housing for the waiting period. The third option is to buy housing at a market value determined by an independent appraisal company.
Relocation and demolition of buildings is carried out only with the consent of all owners. If the proposed resettlement options are rejected, residents retain the right to stay in their homes, but they are responsible for the possible risks of continuing to live in dilapidated housing.
By 2030, it is planned to renovate at least 676 dilapidated houses, which will allow the relocation of about 7,500 owners to modern comfortable apartments.
Primary attention is paid to the demolition of reed-frame houses and buildings located on tectonic faults, which will ensure the safety of residents of the metropolis. The construction of new buildings and structures on the site of renovation facilities is carried out in accordance with the General Plan, taking into account the density, accessibility of social, transport and engineering infrastructure and other requirements in the interests of the city.
In the first half of 2025, KQK, together with investors, provided new apartments to 220 owners of dilapidated housing. In total, it is planned to resettle over 600 people by the end of this year.