On August 1, 2025, AlmaU hosted an expert meeting dedicated to key issues in urban development. The central event was the presentation of a new master’s program in urban planning—a joint project between AlmaU’s Institute of Urban Studies and the Urban Research Laboratory of KazGASA (Kazakh State Academy of Architecture and Civil Engineering), with the strategic participation of the «Almatygenplan» Research Institute
In his welcoming address, AlmaU First Vice-Rector Timur Buldybaev announced the completion of the university’s organizational transformation, an important part of which was the transformation of the Center for Urban Studies into the AlmaU Institute of Urban Studies:
“This year, our university underwent a significant organizational transformation, and we have successfully completed this phase. The Center for Urban Studies has become the Institute of Urban Studies. We believe that now, in addition to its educational activities, the Institute will also develop its consulting activities. Urban studies are the field that changes not only the appearance of cities but also the way of life of its residents,” noted Timur Buldybaev.
The key moment of the event was the official announcement of the launch of a Master program in Urban Planning. The program aims to train specialists capable of formulating and implementing comprehensive solutions for sustainable and comfortable urban development. It is based on a combination of academic knowledge, practice-oriented methods, and close collaboration with industrial partners
За Ainur Zhubanova, Deputy Director of the AlmaU Institute of Urban Studies, emphasized the significance of the launch of the new educational program:
“The goal of the master’s program is to train qualified specialists with a deep understanding of urban planning and management. We want to impart our accumulated experience and practical skills to those who aspire to develop professionally in this field. A key feature of the program is its practice-oriented modules, which are implemented through our industrial partners—this allows students to immerse themselves in real-world projects and challenges from the very beginning.”
Chingis Aitzhan, Head of the Urban Research Laboratory at KazGASA, noted the importance of the partnership between the two universities and emphasized the potential of the new program:
“KazGASA is a specialized university in architecture and urban planning, and for us, the launch of a joint master’s program with AlmaU is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate how effectively managerial approaches to urban development can be combined with practice-oriented methods of urban architecture and design. This interdisciplinary format allows us to develop a new generation of specialists capable of holistic thinking and working with both the spatial and socio-economic aspects of the urban environment.”
Raushan Amangeldikzy, Chief Researcher at the ‘Almatygenplan’ Research Institute, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the joint initiative and emphasized the importance of the educational partnership:
“Today’s meeting and the very idea of collaboration in education are truly admirable to me. It’s no secret that the educational cluster in urban studies, urban planning, construction, and design is still in its infancy and requires systematic development. Therefore, the launch of a joint program between two of the country’s leading universities is an important step and a major opportunity for professional cooperation and the consolidation of expert potential.”
The discussion addressed key areas of sustainable urban development. Participants examined in detail the current challenges and potential opportunities in Almaty, from infrastructure congestion to urban renewal prospects
Special attention was paid to the shortage of qualified personnel in urban planning, architecture, and urban management, which, according to experts, is one of the key obstacles to the systemic transformation of the urban environment. The formation of a professional community, the development of educational programs, and the strengthening of research were identified as priority areas for sustainable and long-term development.
The meeting served as a professional platform for architects, urbanists, educators, researchers, representatives of design firms, development institutions, and city administrations