A few thoughts on urban development growth in Kazakhstan after MIPIM 2025.
The building in the image is the Almaty Headquarters' of the Central Asian Institute of Environmental Research (СAIER), from where part of our team works. It has become, just a few years after its development, one of the best known structures in the city. It is quite a unique building, and an amazing place to work from.
And I say this because it is March and many international attendees headed a few days ago to the French Riviera town of Cannes for the biggest real estate trade show in the world. The mayors of Paris, London, Madrid, Rome, and Athens joined investors, developers, and experts in the built environment to discuss real-estate infrastructure, urban development, and architecture. A truly international event.
The 2024 edition recorded over 20,000 delegates, 90 country pavilions, more than 300 stands, and investors managing assets worth €4 trillion.
There is a reason for these big numbers.
The global population is getting larger and more urban. Mega sprawls are turning into super cities. By 2050, the United Nations estimates that the global population will be 9.7 billion. In that same year, according to projections by its Population Division, around 70% of the world’s population will be part of the urban fabric. These megacities and mega-corridors are expected to be the main drivers of national economies.
Kazakhstan is on a mission to become an international destination of distinction. Strengthening Kazakhstani cities’ international competitiveness and promoting sustainable urban development are causes close to my heart.
The concept of sustainable cities has been here for some time already. My hometown, Almaty, is a member of EBRD Green Cities initiative, and our capital, Astana, is the first in Central Asia to receive sustainable development certification. This momentum is picking up pace within architecture as well. Astana Railway Station is now LEED certified and several other projects, such as BNC Plaza, Wilo, Talan Tower, have achieved LEED Gold – the highest sustainability rating globally.
The time for action is ripe as well: We have a stable economy and see a potential to reach a GDP of USD $900 billion by 2050. Our construction industry has almost doubled in size to meet demand, with real estate investments totaling $7.1 billion and sector FDI reaching $379.5 million in 2023.
As an investor in many fields, you will find me supporting our ESG goals even here, in 'green' buildings.
CAIER’s headquarters in Almaty reflect that ambition. A focus on energy-efficient structures and eco-friendly designs. In developing our projects, we are partnering with industry leaders and experts who are invited to align the ethos of sustainable built principles with the latest in eco-friendly technology.
Together, we aim to arrive at an architectural language that is relevant, truly Kazakhstani, and enriching for the people and visitors of our cities.
