— What is driving Kosshy’s rapid growth, and what priorities will shape the city’s future development?
— Kosshy is one of Kazakhstan’s most rapidly growing cities. Its population increases by about 10% annually, compared with 1.59% in the regional capital. The main factor is internal migration. People are attracted by its proximity to Astana, transport accessibility, opportunities to purchase housing, and the city’s development prospects.
This pace of growth requires infrastructure development to stay ahead of demand. Housing construction must be accompanied by new schools, medical facilities, roads, and public transport. At the same time, the capacity of water supply, sewerage, heat, and power grids must be increased. Our task is to align housing construction with the provision of essential services to residents.
This work is underpinned by the Kosshy Master Plan through 2038, approved by the Government in 2025. It determines the location of residential districts, social facilities and utility facilities, transport arteries, production zones, public spaces, and urban-improvement areas. This allows us to approach the city’s development as a set of interconnected projects.
A key planning principle is to take the future population into account when calculating utility network capacity and the need for schools, hospitals, and transport infrastructure. For example, a new social facility must have utility connections, access roads, and convenient routes for residents. The Master Plan provides the spatial framework needed to coordinate such decisions.
At the same time, our long-term goal is to establish a self-sufficient urban centre with its own economy and jobs. Residents should be able to work, study, receive medical care, and access cultural services within Kosshy itself.
Proximity to the capital remains an important advantage, but the city’s development cannot be limited to housing for people who work in Astana. Alongside infrastructure, we are therefore focusing on investment projects, the creation of an industrial zone, and support for entrepreneurship. It is the combination of a strong local economic base and developed social infrastructure that should ensure Kosshy’s sustainable development.
— What has changed in Kosshy’s social sector, and which health care, education, and housing priorities remain?
— In early 2026, a polyclinic capable of receiving up to 1,000 patients per day opened in the city. A modern medical complex costing about KZT 28 billion is also being developed, with plans to create 956 jobs.
The complex will provide care in four areas: oncology, neurology, maternity care, and emergency care. It is intended to serve residents of seven districts in Akmola Region: Astrakhan District, Korgalzhyn District, Arshaly District, Yegindykol District, Yereymentau District, Shortandy District, and Tselinograd District. Developing specialist care in the region will reduce the burden on Astana’s medical facilities.
Construction is also continuing on a 350-bed multidisciplinary hospital costing about KZT 30 billion. The new medical facilities will expand access to treatment and help attract doctors and other specialists to the city.
We have also succeeded in resolving several housing issues that had remained unresolved for years. Over the past three years, 551 apartments have been provided to socially vulnerable groups. The problem faced by 110 shared-equity construction participants who had waited 11 years for housing has been resolved. A 45-apartment building has been commissioned. Our work to provide housing to people on the housing waiting list will continue.
Demand for new educational facilities remains high. Kosshy currently has 43 preschool organisations. One priority is to complete a 280-place kindergarten whose construction began in 2020. For a growing city, new housing must be accompanied by additional places in kindergartens and schools.
The problem of three-shift schooling has been resolved, but schools remain under pressure. The city has eight schools: seven public and one private. The public schools have a design capacity of 7,260 places. At the start of the 2025–2026 academic year, 13,098 children were attending the city’s schools, including 1,529 pupils enrolled in first grade.
The construction of new schools therefore remains one of our key priorities. At the same time, provision must be made for access roads, lighting, safe pedestrian routes, and utility networks. A social facility must not only be built but also be provided with everything required for full operation and convenient access for residents.
— How is Kosshy addressing the development of its utility and transport infrastructure?
— Our main task is to improve the reliability of existing systems and create reserve capacity to accommodate the city’s continued growth. Kosshy has already been gasified. Our work is now focused on modernizing power and heat networks, water supply, sewerage, and road infrastructure.
In electricity supply, resolving issues related to network ownership and maintenance has been an important milestone. The networks of the first start-up complex have been transferred to AREK under trust management. The second complex, whose construction had remained unfinished since 2012, was transferred to municipal ownership by court order. It is also planned to be transferred to AREK under trust management. In 2025, KZT 250 million was allocated to repair these networks.
A separate project costing about KZT 3 billion is planned for microdistricts Nos. 19 and 20. Its implementation will provide a stable electricity supply to more than 2,000 customers. A budget application for 2026 has been submitted, and funding is still pending.
In heat supply, despite the stable 2025–2026 heating season, there remains a capacity deficit of about 10 Gcal. To eliminate it, it is proposed that one boiler be replaced and its design capacity increased to 37 Gcal. The project costs KZT 1.4 billion. The expected capacity increase of 20 Gcal will eliminate the deficit and create reserve capacity of about 10 Gcal. In 2027–2028, the remaining boilers are scheduled to be replaced in stages, bringing the district heating centre’s total capacity to 160 Gcal.
In 2026, KZT 200 million was allocated from the regional budget for water supply. Of this amount, KZT 26 million was allocated to clean 21 wells, while KZT 74 million was earmarked for drilling five new wells, laying pipes and power grids, and installing pumping equipment. A further KZT 100 million was allocated for cleaning clean-water reservoirs. However, increasing the number of wells is only part of the solution: modernisation is required at every stage, from water extraction and treatment to its storage and delivery to customers.
The issue of wastewater disposal is being addressed in parallel. A centralised sewerage system project is being developed in accordance with the Master Plan. The project to increase the throughput capacity of the internal networks has already been submitted for state expert review. Subject to funding, construction work is scheduled to begin in 2027. The system’s capacity must take projected population growth into account.
The third phase of urban road construction has begun. It provides for 4.58 km of new roads and the completion of carry-over projects. In 2025, KZT 4.2 billion was allocated to implement the project, and 8.6 km of roads were built across 12 sections. The total project cost is KZT 15.8 billion. Construction is subsequently scheduled to be completed on 15 streets with a total length of 16.4 km. Separately, medium repairs are being carried out on a 6.1 km section of Respublika Street.
We are coordinating roadworks with the development of pedestrian routes and bus-stop infrastructure. Five new bus stops were installed in April. Our planning takes into account lighting, pedestrian safety, and convenient connections between residential districts and social facilities.
– Which areas and projects will underpin the development of Kosshy’s economy and the creation of new jobs?
– Our strategic objective is to move from predominantly residential development towards a fully fledged urban economy. More than 5,000 business entities already operate in Kosshy. Its proximity to Astana, the airport, and transport corridors creates opportunities to develop logistics, manufacturing, construction and related industries, trade, services, and the processing of agricultural produce.
The total value of investment projects planned for implementation in 2026 is about KZT 85 billion. Approximately 700 jobs are expected to be created.
One of the key areas will be an industrial zone, for which the Master Plan has allocated 209 hectares at Taitobe. Seven projects with a total value of KZT 292 billion are planned for this site, creating more than 3,000 jobs. They include a multi-sector manufacturing complex, glass processing, a production base, a facility for the storage and processing of vegetables and fruit, and the production of dairy products and cheese. For the city, this is an opportunity to establish a manufacturing sector and expand its tax base.
Technical specifications for utility provision have been established for the site. Water demand is 50 cubic metres per day, while electricity demand is 4.9 MW. An application has been submitted for a gas supply of 1,000 cubic metres per day. Providing the site with the necessary utility connections is one of the prerequisites for implementing the planned production facilities.
Tourism is also being developed. An equestrian arena covering 2,580.8 square metres is being built on a 0.77-hectare site within the Erzo Park recreation area. The preliminary project cost is KZT 590.9 million, and commissioning is planned by 1 September 2026. The facility is expected to promote domestic tourism and popularise national equestrian sports.
Work is also underway to promote employment among residents. Since the beginning of 2026, 346 jobs have been created in Kosshy. The Career Centre has 383 registered unemployed people. Under employment programmes, 62 people have been assigned to public works, subsidized social jobs, and youth internship programmes. A further 20 residents received state grants to implement new business ideas.
In the future, the industrial zone, hospital, and other investment projects should increase the number of permanent jobs. This will allow residents not only to live in Kosshy but also to build their careers and develop their own businesses within the city.
– How is Kosshy developing its cultural and sporting life and supporting young people?
– We are creating conditions that enable residents to pursue creative and sporting activities, while allowing young people to gain initial work experience and implement their own initiatives.
In March 2025, a community cultural and sports centre costing KZT 9.5 billion opened with support from the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation. The building covers 8,548 square metres and has a capacity of 929 people. The centre has created 90 jobs and includes creative studios, exhibition halls, a lecture hall, a library, a cinema hall, a sports hall, and outdoor areas. More than 70,000 residents have already used its services.
Overall, about 400 cultural and spiritual events have been held across the city since the beginning of the year, attracting approximately 80,000 spectators. Performers from Kosshy secured 47 prize-winning places in competitions at various levels.
In 2024, the Alan Sports and Recreation Centre was added to the city’s sports infrastructure. Since the beginning of the year, 20 tournaments have been held in the city. At national and international competitions, athletes from Kosshy have won more than 20 gold, 12 silver, and eight bronze medals.
In our youth policy, alongside creativity and sports, we focus on employment and support for entrepreneurship. The Zhasyl El project is now in its fourth year, with 100 jobs allocated under the project in 2026. Young people also have access to youth internship programmes, public works, subsidized social jobs, state grants, and business support programmes. These tools help them gain work experience and take their first steps in their careers.
We plan to expand platforms for dialogue and support for youth initiatives so that young residents can participate in the city’s development and propose their own projects.
– What have Kosshy’s first five years as a city achieved, and what priorities will shape its further development?
– The main result is that Kosshy has begun its transition from a rapidly growing community into a fully fledged city. An independent system of governance has been established, the Master Plan has been approved, and the modernisation of utility and social infrastructure has begun. The city has been gasified, a polyclinic has opened, a multidisciplinary hospital is under construction, and roads and utility networks are being developed.
At the same time, the main problems have yet to be resolved. In the coming years, we must continue modernizing utility systems and building schools, kindergartens, and medical, sports, and cultural facilities. Residential districts must be provided with roads, lighting, safe pedestrian routes, and public transport. These issues must be addressed in a coordinated manner so that new facilities are accessible to residents and connected to the necessary utilities.
A separate priority is establishing our own economic base. The creation of an industrial zone, the attraction of investment, and the development of entrepreneurship must provide permanent jobs within Kosshy itself. Proximity to Astana, the airport, and transport corridors creates opportunities to develop manufacturing, logistics, and services. Our task is to use these advantages to strengthen the city’s economy.
Looking 10–20 years ahead, I see Kosshy as an independent, modern city where residents can not only live but also work, study, receive medical care, do business, and spend their leisure time. This requires a strong economy, well-developed social infrastructure, and a high-quality urban environment.
Cleanliness, greening, and safety are just as much a part of this work as building roads or utility networks. The idea behind Taza Qazaqstan must become an everyday practice: treating the environment with care and taking responsibility for one’s courtyard, street, and public spaces.
Implementing these priorities requires hands-on management: each project must have defined deadlines, funding sources, and responsible implementing parties. Completed projects and tangible changes in residents’ daily lives will be the main measure of Kosshy’s further development.
– What would you like to say to residents on the occasion of Kosshy’s fifth anniversary?
– Over the past five years, the city has changed significantly: new infrastructure has emerged, major social projects have begun, the economy is developing, and the urban environment is taking shape. But this is only the beginning.
Kosshy’s future also depends on the participation of its residents. The city has all the necessary foundations: proximity to the capital, a favourable transport location, investment potential, and available land. Our task is to turn these advantages into tangible results and create a modern, comfortable, and economically sustainable city.
