Almaty Unveils 2037 'Green Innovation Hub' Plan to Tackle Water Scarcity and Pollution
Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, has unveiled an ambitious action plan to become Central Asia's 'Green Innovation Hub' by 2037. The plan, published in 2022, aims to tackle water scarcity, reduce air pollution, and transform Almaty into a sustainable, green, and smart city.
The action plan comprises 30 short-term measures to be completed by 2027 and long-term strategies for the following decade. Key initiatives include addressing water scarcity by creating green spaces and storage basins to capture and store water, as melting glaciers pose a growing threat.
Almaty's largest coal power plant, CHP-2, is set for conversion to gas by 2026, a significant step in reducing air pollution. The city also aims to future-proof itself by testing the '15-minute city' concept by 2024, ensuring all residents can access basic needs within a 15-minute radius.
The plan seeks to improve air quality, develop green and smart city infrastructure, and connect remote suburbs. However, the organization 'Zelenoe spasenie' (Green Rescue) has criticized the lack of public involvement in the plan's development. The city joined the Green Cities program of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in 2019 to support these efforts.
Implementation began in 2023, with the city working towards its 2037 goal. However, the plan lacks a detailed discussion of potential challenges and a solid legal framework for implementation.
Almaty's action plan, aiming to make the city a 'Green Innovation Hub' by 2037, includes measures to tackle water scarcity, reduce air pollution, and promote sustainable development. Despite criticism over public involvement and the need for a robust implementation strategy, the city has started working towards its ambitious goals.
Read also:
- Blight Threatens Late-Season Cannabis Crop, but Growers Can Fight Back
- WRI Türkiye to Study Ankara, Antalya, and Gaziantep for Urban Heat Island Solutions
- Overhauling the academic health system's monetary strategies: Insights into a Financial Chief Officer's innovative tactics.
- Improved Insulin Production, Enhanced Extracts, and Mushrooms for Taste Enhancement
