Residents of Almaty have once again spotted trees encased in concrete — this time on Kurmangazy Street, where the roots of green plantings ended up beneath a layer of concrete, reports infohub.kz.
Work is currently underway on the stretch between Abylai Khan Avenue and Panfilov Street to improve the area and create a gastro street. A video appeared on social media showing the edge of a sidewalk being filled with concrete, submerging the roots of nearby trees. The clip was filmed opposite a public garden where a monument to Denis Ten stands.
After the video was published, the akimat received numerous complaints and accusations. Similar cases have been recorded in the city repeatedly over the past year. Officials in the Almaly district administration explained that the green area on this stretch is being raised because of the steep slope. According to them, no living plants were harmed by the poured concrete.
"Regarding the video materials circulating online, we explain: the object captured in the footage is the stump of a tree that was cut down about two years ago. During the current work, no living perennial plantings were damaged," the akimat wrote.
The contractor, meanwhile, was fined for violations during construction work and for improper maintenance of the territory. The department promised to restore the green area and plant new shrubs.
Recall that Almaty's first gastro street was first discussed in February. According to the akimat's plans, Kurmangazy Street will become a "quality urban promenade and a point of attraction for residents and guests."
Earlier, Kursiv LifeStyle showed what the Masanchi gastro street looks like.