In December last year, the FBRK editorial team reported on the authorities' plans to build a new presidential library in Astana and the wave of discontent this caused among residents.
The main source of tension became the issue of the possible placement of the facility in the capital's unique linear park, information about which was actively discussed in the media, contributing to increased public concern.
Our editorial team sent official requests to the Akimat of Astana and the Presidential Property Management Department to ascertain the city authorities' position on the construction of the presidential library in the linear park and to obtain clarification on the feasibility of the project.
The Presidential Property Management Department denied the information about the construction of the library on the territory of the linear park.
It is reported that the chosen plot is located at the intersection of Kerey and Zhanibek Khandar Streets, Turkestan, Almaty, and Akmecit. Currently, the site is occupied by temporary structures for the builders of the 'Abu Dhabi Plaza' multi-functional complex.
"It should be noted that this site currently contains temporary structures for the builders of the 'Abu Dhabi Plaza' multi-functional complex, and 80% of the site has a concrete base, i.e., the site is not part of the adjacent Linear and Botanical Parks. Therefore, the implementation of this project will not lead to the loss of parkland", the statement reads.
The department assured that the future public library would become part of the urban ecosystem "without detriment to the functionality of the adjacent Botanical and Linear Parks".
Currently, based on a resolution of the city akimat, the department is carrying out survey and design work.
The Department of Architecture, Urban Planning, and Land Relations of Astana shared additional details about the new project. The area of the allocated plot is 4.4675 hectares, and the permit for survey and design work, granted to the Presidential Property Management Department, will be valid until 19 December 2028.
At the moment, the department does not have any other information about the project due to the absence of an architectural planning brief (APB) and an approved preliminary design.
Regarding the discontent of local residents, the department noted that to date, no applications for public hearings have been received.
However, if changes are made to the city's detailed planning project, public hearings will be held without fail. Announcements about them are placed in the media, on the website, and on the department's social networks. The date of the discussions is set no earlier than 20 calendar days after the announcement is posted.
Earlier, our editorial team had already raised the question of the justification for this project. This is especially pertinent given that the city already has two large presidential libraries with a total area of over 100,000 sq m. In this context, a natural question arises: is the construction of yet another library in the city centre truly necessary?
However, the Presidential Property Management Department is confident in the project's feasibility. The department emphasised that the new public library would be created on the model of the world's leading open libraries and would become "a centre of attraction for residents and visitors of the city of all age groups".