National Report of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Housing and Sustainable City Development
Introduction
The National Report of the Republic of Kazakhstan serves as a foundational policy document prepared for HABITAT III, outlining the country's strategic approach to housing provision and sustainable urban development from 1996 through 2016.
Prepared by the Committee for Construction and Housing and Utilities Infrastructure under the Ministry of National Economy, this comprehensive assessment addresses population dynamics, land planning, environmental sustainability, governance frameworks, urban economic integration, and core service delivery.For researchers and housing professionals examining Central Asian development models, the National Report of the Republic of Kazakhstan offers evidence-based insights into managing rapid urbanization within a low-density, resource-rich national context.
National Report of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Document Overview and Scope
The National Report of the Republic of Kazakhstan functions as both a retrospective analysis and a forward-looking policy roadmap. Covering a twenty-year review period, the document synthesizes statistical data, departmental reports, and regional information to evaluate progress in settlement development, infrastructure access, and regulatory reform.
Its structure aligns with international sustainable development frameworks while reflecting Kazakhstan's unique geographic and demographic realities: a population of 17.67 million distributed across 6.51 persons per square kilometer, with 87 cities, 30 small towns, and 6,693 rural settlements.
The National Report of the Republic of Kazakhstan explicitly acknowledges that continued population growth—driven by positive natural increase and stabilized migration patterns—requires coordinated solutions across education, healthcare, employment, and housing sectors to maintain development momentum.
Population Dynamics and Urbanization Trends
Demographic Growth and Migration Patterns
Between 1996 and 2015, Kazakhstan's population increased by 14.1%, reaching 17.67 million people. This growth reflects a shift from negative migration balances in the late 1990s to consistent positive natural increase, with the coefficient rising from 5.6‰ to 15.18‰.
Urbanization levels progressed modestly from 55.8% to 57.0%, though administrative reclassifications in 2006 temporarily reduced measured urban shares. Internal migration intensified during this period, with migrant numbers doubling to 455,500 annually by 2015.
Major destination centers—Astana, Almaty, Atyrau, and Mangystau regions—experienced concentrated inflows driven by economic opportunity, while labor-surplus southern regions participated in redistribution programs such as "Serpyn-2050" to balance regional workforce needs.
Urban Agglomeration Development
The National Report of the Republic of Kazakhstan identifies agglomeration formation as a defining spatial trend.
Metropolitan areas around Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, and Aktobe now concentrate over one-third of the national population. Interregional Territorial Development schemes, approved through governmental decisions such as Resolution No. 302 (May 2016), guide coordinated planning between core cities and surrounding territories.
Strategic concepts like "cities-contramagnets" aim to redirect migration pressures by developing secondary centers along major transport corridors. These approaches reflect international best practices while adapting to Kazakhstan's inherited settlement patterns and low overall population density.
Land Use Planning and Environmental Sustainability
Urban Planning Framework and Green Infrastructure
Kazakhstan maintains a hierarchical system of urban planning documentation, anchored by the General Scheme of the Republic of Kazakhstan—a long-term spatial development framework approved by Government Resolution No. 1434 (2013). This structure cascades through interregional schemes, complex regional plans, and settlement-level general layouts covering all 87 cities.
Green infrastructure standards, defined in SNiP RK 3.01-01-2008, mandate minimum green space coverage of 40% within urban development areas and 25% within residential zones.
Astana's master plan, influenced by Kisho Kurokawa's symbiotic design philosophy, incorporates a 171,800-hectare "green belt" and eco-corridors along the Esil River to mitigate climatic extremes.
The National Report of the Republic of Kazakhstan emphasizes that continuous green networks contribute significantly to population well-being and environmental resilience.
Climate Action and Disaster Risk Reduction
Kazakhstan's urban areas contribute notably to national greenhouse gas emissions, with energy sectors accounting for 81% of total CO₂-equivalent output (18.57 tons per capita in 2013).
The National Report of the Republic of Kazakhstan outlines ambitious transition targets under the "Green Economy" Concept: 50% alternative and renewable energy share by 2050, 25% GDP energy intensity reduction by 2020, and economy-wide emissions reduction of 15% by 2030 relative to 1990 levels.
Disaster risk management aligns with international frameworks including the Hyogo Framework and Sendai Programme. Legislative consolidation through the 2014 Law "On Civil Protection" integrated previously fragmented emergency response statutes, while investments in early warning systems, rescue capacity, and critical infrastructure—such as Astana's antiflood complex—enhance community resilience.
Housing Policy and Core Service Delivery
Housing Affordability Programs
Housing construction represents a persistent national priority. Between 1991 and 2015, Kazakhstan added 107.1 million square meters of housing stock, expanding the total fund to 336.9 million square meters—a 41.3% increase.
Investment volumes grew dramatically from 0.01 billion tenge (1991) to 740 billion tenge (2015). Five sequential state programs (2005-2015) established diversified delivery mechanisms: municipal rental housing for vulnerable groups, credit housing through savings systems, youth-focused rental schemes, and public-private partnerships.
The National Report of the Republic of Kazakhstan notes that affordability strategies combine land allocation, infrastructure pre-development, and construction industrialization to reduce costs and delivery timelines.
By 2020, targets include expanding the housing fund by 403,787 thousand square meters and achieving 22 square meters per capita average provision.
Water, Sanitation, and Energy Access
Core service expansion progressed significantly under programs such as "Drinking Water" (2001-2010) and "AK Bulak." By 2015, centralized water supply reached 87% of urban residents and 51.5% of rural populations, while sewerage coverage stood at 82% and 11% respectively.
Household expenditures on water services remained below 4% of disposable income, meeting affordability criteria. Renewable energy development accelerated under the 2009 Law "On Support of Usage of Renewable Energy Sources," with 48 operational facilities totaling 251.5 MW capacity by early 2016.
The National Report of the Republic of Kazakhstan specifies renewable energy targets of 3% share by 2020, 10% by 2030, and 50% by 2050. Energy efficiency standards for buildings were strengthened through updated construction norms and the 2012 Law "On Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency," promoting metering, automation, and high-performance envelope design.
Economic Integration and Governance Mechanisms
Urban economies in Kazakhstan function as primary engines of national growth, attracting approximately 80% of external and domestic investment. Small and medium enterprises contribute increasingly to employment and regional GDP, supported by programs such as "Road Map of Business-2020" and "Productivity 2020."
The National Report of the Republic of Kazakhstan aligns urban development with Strategy "Kazakhstan-2050," targeting OECD-level indicators including 4% annual GDP growth, 30% investment-to-GDP ratio, and 50% SME contribution to GDP by 2050.
Governance reforms emphasize decentralization, citizen participation, and transparency through Open Government initiatives and the 2015 Law "On Access to Information."
Specialized architectural and planning departments within local executive bodies coordinate implementation of general layouts, housing programs, and infrastructure projects.
Conclusion
The National Report of the Republic of Kazakhstan provides a rigorous, data-driven foundation for understanding housing and urban development challenges in a rapidly transforming Central Asian economy.
Its integrated approach—linking demographic trends, spatial planning, environmental stewardship, service delivery, and economic policy—offers transferable insights for nations managing urbanization within resource-constrained or low-density contexts.
As Kazakhstan advances toward its 2050 development vision, the analytical frameworks and policy mechanisms documented in the National Report of the Republic of Kazakhstan will continue to inform evidence-based decision-making for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient city development.
For global researchers and practitioners, this document represents both a case study in post-transition urban policy and a reference model for aligning national housing strategies with international sustainability commitments.