ALATAU CITY PRESENTED THE CONCEPT OF AN AI-NATIVE CITY AT KAZBUILD 2026

BAYAN KONIRBAYEV, CHIEF DIGITAL AND AI OFFICER, ALATAU CITY AUTHORITY TOOK PART IN THE KAZBUILD URBAN FUTURE FORUM 2026, HELD IN ALMATY AS PART OF THE 32ND KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL BUILDING AND INTERIOR EXHIBITION KAZBUILD.

During the panel session “Cities of the Future in Central Asia: Smart City, Sustainable Construction and the New Urban Environment,” Bayan Konirbayev

presented Alatau City’s approach to creating a new-generation city where digital technologies and artificial intelligence are integrated into the urban management system, infrastructure, and economy from the outset.

One of the key topics of the presentation was the concept of an AI-native city. Unlike the traditional Smart City model, where digital solutions are implemented within already existing urban infrastructure, in Alatau City the digital architecture is developed simultaneously with the city itself. In this approach, artificial intelligence becomes a tool for data analysis, forecasting, and management decision-making.

“We view Alatau City as a city that is designed from the outset with the capabilities of artificial intelligence in mind. It is not about a set of individual digital services, but about a unified system that brings together infrastructure, data, urban services, and the economy. This approach will make it possible to make data-driven decisions, forecast the city’s needs, and create more personalized services for residents and businesses,” said Bayan Konirbayev.

The digital model of Alatau City is based on the creation of a unified framework connecting physical infrastructure, IoT data, the city’s digital twin, and the digital economy. This approach will make it possible to use data received from urban infrastructure to model processes and further develop urban services.

During his presentation, Bayan Konirbayev emphasized the development of the digital economy and the tokenization of real-world assets. Alatau City is considering the possibility of creating an environment in which digital tools can also be applied in areas such as real estate, logistics, and intellectual property. In the long term, this is expected to help reduce barriers for investors and develop new financial instruments. He emphasized that digitalization in Alatau City is viewed not as a supporting function, but as one of the fundamental elements of the city’s development, alongside modern infrastructure, investment, and human capital. At the same time, technologies should address specific needs of residents and businesses and improve the efficiency of urban environment management.

Alatau City is being developed as a strategic national project of Kazakhstan. According to the Master Plan concept, the city will consist of four functional districts: Green District, Growing District, Golden District, and Gate District. The total area is 880 sq. km. By 2050, the city’s population is projected to reach 1.8 million people, with the potential creation of more than 1 million jobs.

Participants of the KAZBUILD URBAN FUTURE FORUM also discussed the development of Smart City, sustainable construction, new architectural standards, BIM, parametric design, and the application of artificial intelligence in the design and development of the urban environment. The event brings together more than 350 companies from 27 countries. The business program is attended by representatives of government authorities, the construction industry, developers, architects, designers, and international experts.

The exhibitions are held with the official support of the Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Akimat of Almaty, trade representations, and diplomatic missions of the participating countries.

The event is organized by the Kazakh exhibition company Iteca together with its international partner, the ICA Events Group of Companies.