A vision for a walkable, human-centred urban extension that blends learning, living & public life — unlocking new patterns of interaction & urban experience.

The opportunity

This strategically located site offers a rare opportunity to link two key urban centres at the edge of Almaty.

Anchored by Higher Education and R&D, the project envisions a vibrant mix of Academic, Residential and Commercial uses designed for long-term adaptability to evolving patterns of work, learning and city life.

Natural features and infrastructure—such as topography, biodiversity corridors and flood zones—are treated not as constraints but as assets shaping a resilient, characterful urban form.

The ambition is to create a walkable, well-connected place where design supports informal knowledge exchange, social cohesion and embedded sustainability. Phased development allows the district to grow incrementally with shifting institutional and economic needs.

Our contribution

Space Syntax’s aim was to create opportunities for innovation and new business by encouraging the different research, university and commercial building users to mix in the same set of public and open spaces. We developed a Reference Plan around a set of different-sized public spaces, clustering uses together in a way that creates opportunities for chance interaction between different users.

Spatial analysis was undertaken to design a street network that integrates with surrounding development and works with the existing topography. A generative design algorithm was then applied to subdivide this network into urban blocks and building plots. Land uses, densities and massing typologies were then allocated on the basis of fine-grained spatial analysis and generative design.

An open and green space strategy created looped networks of different types of space, which ranged from hard urban spaces, to landscaped and programmed green and blue spaces, to more wild natural spaces.

The outcome

The resulting Urban Plan proposes a connected, walkable and inclusive urban district where streets and spaces support a vibrant mix of uses.

Green corridors enhance biodiversity and manage flood risk, whilst also structuring a ring of recreational and public space that ties the community together.

The three-phase development strategy, reinforced by a strong spatial network, enables incremental delivery without compromising urban quality.

The Campus Plan is designed to foster innovation, support sustainable growth and encourage meaningful interaction between students, researchers, residents and businesses.

Further information

Space Syntax Studio page
Details of our work leading the planning and design of buildings and urban areas.