FOREWORD

Astana has already become the largest growing city in the country in a very short period of time. It is poised to become a model capital in the Eurasian region. The success of Astana is inspired by none other than President N.Nazarbayev – the author of its relocation and its main creator. Many projects were a realization of his creative vision. In fact, the name “Astana” was the brainchild of the President. The success of Astana belongs not only to local companies. We applaud foreign players, among which are a few reputable Singapore companies. Currently, more than 30 Singapore companies are operating in my country. Their contributions to our bilateral trade are notable. In a recent symbolically important move, the Government  of Kazakhstan upgraded the Diplomatic Mission in Singapore into a full-fledged Embassy. No distance can come between mutual cooperation of our countries. Our friendship with Singapore will continue to bloom as Astana moves into a new epoch.

Yerlan BAUDARBEK-KOZHATAYEV

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

of the Republic of Kazakhstan

to the Republic of Singapore

ASTANA: A CITY ASPIRED TO THE FUTURE

“From now on any major decisions which are important for the future

of the people of Kazakhstan will be made here, in the centre of this colossal country.

Kazakhstan is making and defining its history and destiny here and today.”

N.Nazarbayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 1997

In 2008 the new capital of Kazakhstan celebrates its first anniversary. It seems to be not so much – just 10 years in history of a city. But these criteria get not applicable when the matter refers to Astana. It is one of the fastest developing cities of the world, where dozens of new residential, social, cultural and administrative complexes are constructed every year.

A uniquely designed city with highly developed infrastructure has been built here within the recent 10 years, gaining the “City for Peace” UNESCO Award in 1999. Astana has become a symbol of new Kazakhstan – vigorous, dynamic, prosperous and aspired to the future.

Once completed, the Baiterek Tower gained a status of the young capital’s symbol and has been very popular with both residents and visitors of Astana. The tower is toppled with a golden sphere placed on the canopy of the mythological tree at the height of 97 meters. Here, you can get a bird’s view of the city expanding both upwards and broad wise. Astana visitors are also attracted to the President's handprint set in gold at the top of the observation tower and signatures of leaders of World and Traditional Religions who held their first meeting there in 2003.

One of brightest openings of 2007 in Kazakhstan is the Peace and Concord Palace. The 2^nd Congress of World Traditional and National Religions hosted by President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Astana were held there. As it was recently mentioned by Atonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, that Kazakhstan is a symbol of tolerance, and tolerance is symbolized by this pyramid. The Palace was designed by British architect Lord Norman Foster. The famous designer mentioned that he was amazed how fast the unique building has been erected. It was constructed during a record-braking period – less then 1 year. Height of the Palace equals to a 25 storey building, each rib is 62 meters long. The Pyramid houses a Museum of National Culture of Kazakhstan, University of Civilizations, exhibition and concert halls, a library, a research centre for religious issues, and representation offices of world religions. Inside the man-made hill there’s a 1500-set opera house; and at the apex there is a circular chamber to house triennial congress of world religions.

“Everyone in the world is afraid of the time and time is afraid of only one thing – the pyramids” – they say in Egypt. The Kazakhstani Peace and Concord Palace is a sign of imperishability of our interethnic and interreligional union.

Only during 2007 some 30 architecture projects have been set into operation. The largest among them is the House of Ministries. The arched building bending around new central square exceeds 1,5 km in its length. The building resembles a huge amphitheater and accommodates dozens of ministries and authorities representing not only architectural, but also high functional achievement. Assembly of the central institutions of executive power has a positive influence on the rate and effectiveness of their work.

A city aspired to the future. The essence and general idea of Astana development is laid into this expression. Creation of the better work and leisure conditions for residents and guests of Astana is of great importance in the infrastructure development plan where all construction projects pass a thorough selection to be implemented there. Construction of Astana is not only prestige and benefits but great deal of responsibility as well and this is the reason of record-breaking rates of development, which amaze the world.

Astana sets the pace for whole country in terms of residential construction. The first block of “Highville” smart building has been set in operation here. The whole complex will comprise 2,313 apartments. Moreover, the project will have underground parking lot, trade halls, business-center, school, kindergarten, clinics, fitness club and 5 gardens: amethyst, ruby, pearl, jade and sapphire. Main feature of this accommodation is the latest generation control system.

Another priority of Astana development is social infrastructure. A new shopping “Mega” center has been open in the main city of the republic. Area of the four-storey building exceeds 21 thousand square meters. There are auto show, hyper store, 6 cinemas, a range of cafés and restaurants, bowling center, 68 fashionable boutiques and amusement arcade which includes more than a hundred attractions.

Now that city district is gradually turning into leisure and entertainment center. There is “Duman” with a unique oceanarium situated just across the street from the Mega center, which is a very unique place in the world – the ocean life situated in the middle of Eurasian continent. A little further, “Atameken” memorial complex comprising Kazakhstan in miniature is situated, and on the Republic Day a new hotel was inaugurated here.

The hotel business development is also an important issue for Astana due to the wide range of arrangements to be held in the city. For instance, “One Common World: Progress through Diversity” Forum, initiated to promote the dialogue between Muslim world and the West, will take place in Astana in October 2008. The sessions of Congress of World Traditional and National Religions take place here on a regular basis every three years. The grand sports arrangement – the Winter Asian Games will take place in Astana and Almaty, two major cities of Kazakhstan, in 2011.

A huge medical cluster, envisaging introduction of the highest standards of the service quality, is under construction in Astana. This implies highly qualified specialists plus strong material and technical basis. A “Republican Maternity and Childhood Research Center” has been opened in 2007 in the city, which consists of 2 blocks: 260 beds obstetric-gynecologic block and 240 beds pediatric block and works under advanced management standards.

It’s important to underscore that healthcare of mother and child is the key point of homeland medicine development program. Especially for the growing generation a separate 300 beds center was built. It is one of the best equipped healthcare institutions at the post-soviet area. Not only do the small residents from Astana receive rehabilitation here, but also kids from the entire northern Kazakhstan.

Another key goal is a highway construction. Under rapid transport growth conditions it’s necessary to plan in advance the roads and junctions’ development to avoid traffic jams. This complicated issue is being successfully solved in the capital. Opening of a new bridge over Yessil river, the forth one, became an important event of 2007. The 362 meters long and more than 38 meters wide bridge has essentially increased capacity of the multilevel road junction connecting the two banks in the new administrative center.

The year 2007 in Astana was abundant for openings, but the anniversary year 2008 seems to be more promising. It’s planned to complete a 30 000 seat stadium by the Capital’s birthday. Its uniqueness is a peculiar roof structure, which slides apart. Thus, public sport competitions would be held here as in winter as in summer, what is of great importance taking local severe climate into consideration. A whole range of residential, administrative, cultural and entertainment complexes will be set into operation on the 10^th Anniversary of Astana.

However, the most significant opening will undoubtedly become another project of Lord Norman Foster – “Han Shatyr” (“Royal Marquee”). The 150 meter high (app. 500ft) tent has a 200m elliptical base covering 100,000 square meters. Underneath the tent, an area larger than 10 football stadiums, will be an urban-scale internal park, shopping and entertainment venue with squares and cobbled streets, a boating river, shopping centre, minigolf and indoor beach resort. The transparent material allows sunlight through which, in conjunction with air heating and cooling systems maintain an internal temperature between 15-30°C in the main space and 19-24°C in the retail units, while outside the temperature varies between -35 to +35°C across the year. “Khan Shatyr” will be largest tent in the world.

Not for long, indeed – in spring 2008 construction of even greater “Abu Dhabi Plaza Astana” building begins. Height of this skyscraper will exceed 380 meters. An 88-storey multiple purpose complex to be built by Arab investors will comprise of 4 hotels, dozens of business centers, offices and shops. Moreover, part of it will represent a residential block. A high speed railway connecting the skyscraper to the airport is planned to be arranged.

Maximum 5 more years pass and Astana will get beyond recognition. It is a genuine city of tomorrow, a Kazakhstan dream to come true.