Kazakhstan Approves Astana Master Plan to Accommodate Rapid Population Growth Through 2035

Kazakhstan's government has approved an updated master plan for its capital, Astana, setting the course for the city's development through 2035. The plan aims to accommodate a rapidly expanding population, projected to reach nearly 2.3 million residents.

Astana has experienced significant growth since becoming the capital in 1997, with its population soaring from approximately 300,000 to nearly 1.67 million by June 1, 2026. Projections indicate the city could add almost 600,000 people by 2035. The updated master plan, using January 1, 2025, as a baseline, designates 2030 for the first construction phase and 2035 as the final planning horizon.

The comprehensive plan details the strategic development of residential, social, recreational, and industrial zones. It also addresses the crucial expansion of transport and utility infrastructure to support the growing populace. Land-use restrictions, environmental protection measures, and emergency resilience strategies are integral components of the plan.

Housing construction is a central focus, with a target of 30 square meters of housing per resident by 2035, necessitating an increase in the total housing stock to approximately 68.3 million square meters. This expansion will involve both new construction and the redevelopment of existing areas, including the removal of dilapidated housing and low-rise buildings in designated renovation districts. The plan also acknowledges Astana's increasing integration with its surrounding agglomeration, emphasizing interconnected transport, utilities, housing, and social infrastructure.