Residents of Almaty living in the Daraboz microdistrict are outraged by the construction of a residential complex near their homes. It is reported that where there used to be a forest plantation, the «Altyn Ai» residential complex is currently being built. Residents are baffled as to how land where elm trees grew for many years has become the site for the construction of yet more high-rise buildings.
Meanwhile, in the comments under posts about the construction of the «Altyn Ai» residential complex, the opinions of Kazakhstani citizens are divided. Some write that the elm trees growing on this plot are old, and the area itself is abandoned and dangerous for residents of neighbouring residential complexes. Others insist on preserving the trees and improving the site, turning it into a park and a car park.
The editorial board of FBRK has established that the plot on which the «Altyn Ai» residential complex is being built occupies an area of 17.8 hectares and has been in private ownership since February 2015. We have reported that the original owner of the plot was the company «Құрылыс тобы «Алтынсай» LLP. Later, in December 2015, the land was transferred via barter to «Корпорация «Алтын-Агач» LLP. And even later, the forest became the property of «Ask Development» LLP.
The developer of the «Altyn Ai» residential complex, as far as we have learnt, is a consortium formed in February of this year consisting of «Exclusive Qurylys» LLP and «Qazaq Stroy» LLP. Previously, the editorial board of FBRK conducted an analysis of the seismic map of Almaty, according to which, Qazaq Stroy built the City Park residential complex, and Exclusive Qurylys built the Exclusive Duet and Exclusive Opera residential complexes within a 1 km radius of a tectonic fault line.
«Exclusive Qurylys» LLP, for its part, has provided us with an official response regarding this situation. In their statement, company representatives claim that at present, no felling of the forest belt is being carried out by the organisations «Exclusive Qurylys» LLP and «Qazaq Stroy» LLP, nor has construction of the new residential complex «Altyn-Ai» begun.
«A forest pathological survey is currently underway, the results of which will determine compensatory tree planting on a 1 to 10 basis, in accordance with the established procedure and in coordination with the Akimat of the Alatau district and the city. The planting will use trees grown in specialised nurseries, which show a high survival rate», the statement reads.
Representatives of the developers note that according to an internal analysis conducted, the vegetation on this plot appeared spontaneously. The trees have not been tended to at any time during their existence, and some of them are deadwood.
The statement also says that the owner of this plot since May 2023 has been «Qazaq Stroy» LLP. The designated purpose of this plot, in accordance with the master plan, provides for the construction of a multi-functional residential complex.
«As part of the project for the new residential complex 'Altyn-Ai', the company plans to build modern, comfortable homes with their own infrastructure and landscaping. Additionally, the construction of a school and a kindergarten, which are critically needed in the newly developing Alatau district of the city, is planned», the developers write.
They state that according to the master plan, a park zone is planned in the immediate vicinity of the residential complexes «Alatau City» and «Altyn-Ai», which will become a recreational area for all residents of this district.
The editorial board of FBRK fully supports openness and transparency, particularly from construction companies. We thank the representatives of «Exclusive Qurylys» LLP and «Qazaq Stroy» LLP for providing their response.
However, we would like to note that we will monitor the compensatory tree planting, and accordingly, we ask the company's leaders to provide our editorial board with a photo and video report upon completion of the work.