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Astana is set to gain a new administrative building for the Ministry of Finance, a project that has drawn public attention. The construction is a direct response to the lack of adequate space in the ministry's existing facility. However, the choice of location in a densely populated urban area has raised questions about the city's development strategy.

The Old and the New

The current building, affectionately known as the "Dollar" by locals and located at 11 Zhenis Avenue, was designed by architect Vladimir Laptev and completed in 1999. It previously housed the entire Ministry of Finance until 2017, when the ministry relocated to the government quarter on the left bank of the city. Despite the relocation, the building remains under the Ministry of Finance's purview and currently accommodates staff from its various committees.

Adjacent to this historic structure, a new construction project is underway. This type of infill development in Astana is a recurring issue in urban planning, often leading to increased density, overcrowded courtyards, strain on infrastructure, and a reduction in green spaces.

Project Details and Justification

According to Astana's Urban Planning Department, all construction projects adhere to approved plans. The specific site in the Saryarka district was designated for an administrative building, a decision confirmed by the city administration in June 2023.

In 2022, a decision was made to demolish the old building at the request of the State Revenue Committee. The plan is to construct a new facility for the "State Revenue Committee" RSE of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The committee has been allocated a 0.2-hectare plot at 22A Abay Avenue in the Saryarka district, with 0.0592 hectares dedicated to the administrative building itself.

The Ministry of Finance stated that the construction is part of the national action plan to implement the Head of State's Address to the People of Kazakhstan dated September 2, 2024, titled "Fair Kazakhstan: Law and Order, Economic Growth, Public Optimism." Within this framework, the State Revenue Committee is modernizing vehicle checkpoints along the Eurasian Economic Union's customs border. The final phase involves constructing the administrative building for the Main Dispatch Directorate (MDD) in Astana, which will oversee the flow of goods and vehicles through these checkpoints.

The city administration emphasized that the project has been coordinated with state bodies and the Government Office, recognizing its strategic importance. Following the acquisition of all necessary permits, the Committee initiated the project with the general contractor, Nuctech Company Limited, and the contractor, "Alem Qurylys AQ" LLP. The construction is slated for completion by the end of the year. The ministry believes the new building will centralize and enhance border control efficiency.

Concerns and Considerations

While the city administration and the Ministry of Finance assert that the project complies with all urban planning regulations, several questions remain. Firstly, was the existing space truly insufficient? The current Ministry of Finance building is substantial and still in use, raising doubts about whether the new department could have been accommodated within the existing structure. Secondly, is it prudent to locate a strategically vital facility in an already congested area? An increase in traffic is inevitable, even without a constant influx of citizens.

In recent years, there have been numerous discussions about developing Astana's right bank and preserving the quality of the urban environment. The construction of new facilities within established neighborhoods appears to continue the trend of "infill" development. Thus, a new strategic facility is being built behind the fences of Astana's old center. However, the appropriateness of adding another building to this densely populated district remains an open question.