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A significant discrepancy has emerged regarding the number of illegal constructions in Almaty, Kazakhstan. In 2022, then-Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development, Kairbek Uskenbayev, stated that approximately 14,000 unauthorized homes had been built in the city. However, four years later, concrete data on these structures appears to have vanished, leaving authorities unable to confirm the figures.

The 2022 Declaration

Four years ago, Kairbek Uskenbayev highlighted the surge in illegal construction, particularly in areas surrounding Almaty that were being incorporated into the city. He estimated the number of illegally built homes to be around 14,000, a figure significantly higher than in other cities where such cases were limited to dozens or hundreds. Uskenbayev emphasized the need for immediate action to address this widespread issue.

At the time, it was noted that while legalizing these constructions was technically feasible, it was contingent on the city's master plan. Decisions regarding land acquisition could be made if illegal structures were situated in areas designated for infrastructure development.

Lost in the System: The Missing Statistics

Since Uskenbayev's statement, significant administrative changes have occurred. The former minister has left his position, and the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development was reorganized. Investigations by Tengrinews.kz into the current status of these illegal constructions yielded no definitive numbers from the Ministry of Industry and Construction. Instead of specific data, the ministry provided references to relevant laws and regulations governing the construction sector.

Further inquiries were made to the Almaty City Department for Urban Development Control. While they could not confirm the 14,000 figure, they reported that 122 structures built with violations had been fully or partially demolished between early 2022 and February 2026. Legal proceedings are currently underway for 33 other cases. However, this department primarily deals with commercial constructions and legal entities, not individual residential buildings.

When approached, the Almaty City Department of Architecture and Urban Planning also stated they had no confirmed data on the existence of 14,000 illegal constructions. They did, however, report that 1,838 applications had been reviewed since 2022, with an additional 502 materials under consideration.

A Program for Legalization

The Almaty City Department of Architecture and Urban Planning has been running a program since September 2022 aimed at formalizing property rights for real estate built without permits. This initiative allows citizens to regularize their legal status and protect their property interests. The program covers individual houses, outbuildings, extensions, and other structures that meet the specified requirements. The commission is set to operate until January 1, 2027.

Who Oversees Construction, and Why the Gaps?

Construction activities in Kazakhstan are governed by the law "On Architectural, Urban Planning, and Construction Activities in the Republic of Kazakhstan." However, amendments made in 2018 removed the authority of architectural and construction control bodies to inspect individual residential buildings up to two stories. Inspections are now primarily conducted based on complaints or specific grounds, making the system reactive. Oversight for commercial constructions remains more stringent.

Consequently, individual homes up to two stories fall into a regulatory gray area, with no official statistics being kept on their numbers. This leaves former minister Kairbek Uskenbayev as seemingly the last known source of information on the 14,000 illegal constructions. With his departure from public service, this data appears to have been lost.