Civil Engineering and Architecture Vol. 13(3A), pp. 2314 - 2331
DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.131311
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Soviet Architecture in Kazakhstan: Problems of Sustainable Adaptation to Modern Conditions

Gulnara Abdrassilova , Elvira Danibekova ^*, Gulmira Adilbay , Ainagul Tuyakayeva
International Educational Corporation (KazGASA), Kazakhstan

ABSTRACT

At the end of the 20th century, in the post-Soviet countries, amidst changes in the political and socio-economic system, the issue of creating a living environment became particularly urgent, given the new challenges of finding identity and sustainable development. The unification characteristic of Soviet architecture began to change under the influence of local cultural and historical factors. A distinctive feature of Kazakhstan is that the material and spatial environment of settlements is mainly formed by objects built during the Soviet era. The operational lifespan of some buildings from the Soviet period is only around 40 to 50 years. However, for society, these structures are an important source for understanding the historical continuity of that era. The loss of this architectural heritage could lead to a disruption of the compositional and spatial balance of cities. The aim of the research is to examine scientific and practical methods for preserving and utilizing the material heritage of the 20th century in Kazakhstan, which influences the formation of the architectural identity of the 21st century and ensures sustainable development of the environment. This involves enriching the existing material and spatial basis through the reconstruction of historical sites, their transformation and adaptive reuse. The study found that the lack of modern scientific methods makes it difficult to preserve 20th-century architecture in Kazakhstan and reduces its potential for sustainable use. The authors have proposed some solutions to systematize approaches to the management of Soviet-era heritage sites in Kazakhstan and strengthen their role in urban development.

KEYWORDS
Sustainable Development, Architectural Heritage, Architectural Monuments, Identity, Revitalization, Reconstruction, Regionalism

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Gulnara Abdrassilova , Elvira Danibekova , Gulmira Adilbay , Ainagul Tuyakayeva , "Soviet Architecture in Kazakhstan: Problems of Sustainable Adaptation to Modern Conditions," Civil Engineering and Architecture, Vol. 13, No. 3A, pp. 2314 - 2331, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.131311.

(b). APA Format:
Gulnara Abdrassilova , Elvira Danibekova , Gulmira Adilbay , Ainagul Tuyakayeva (2025). Soviet Architecture in Kazakhstan: Problems of Sustainable Adaptation to Modern Conditions. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 13(3A), 2314 - 2331. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.131311.