The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) invited UK based architecture, engineering, and construction companies as well as product manufacturers to join a UK Infrastructure Trade Mission to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, between 20 and 26 February 2025. The aim of the mission was to explore export opportunities and foster partnerships in digital construction, urban development, and sustainable/green buildings.
As part of the Trade Mission, the British Embassy team in Almaty, Kazakstan delivered an exceptional UK Future Places conference, which marked the beginning of an enhanced collaboration between the UK and Kazakhstan across architecture, urban planning, and infrastructure.
Nearly 300 people - including a delegation of over 20 experts from British companies - came to Almaty to attend the largest conference ever organised by the DBT team in Kazakhstan, and celebrated creativity and innovation.
UK experts engaged with Kazakh counterparts in panel discussions, for which the only focus was to define future places. These exchanges touched on placemaking in cities, buildings, and across sectors, such as education and mixed-use.
The panel sessions and roundtables demonstrated that both countries share common aspirations in architecture - places should to be liveable and sustainable.
It is hoped that the platform created through the conference will serve as a connection point for impactful development across Kazakh cities.
The DBT team were delighted to welcome the Mayor of Almaty Region, Marat Sultangaziyev, and his team, who oversee the ambitious new urban development Alatau City and the Alatau Special Economic Zone. The HM Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Kathy Leach, met the mayor and his team to highlight the importance of strengthening partnerships in urban development and architecture.
The UK delegation comprised of RIBA Chartered Members and Chartered Practices, alongside RIBA's Adrian Dobson, Executive director professional knowledge.
Overall, UK delegates took a lot of value from the trip, in large part due to commercial opportunities that the DBT team opened up in the region.
Any UK business keen to explore Kazakhstan, a dynamic and growing market in Central Asia, please reach out to DBT team in Kazakhstan.
The role of architects and city planners in Kazakhstan will become even more prominent as the country is embarking on ambitious development projects. Education and professional standards in local industry will be the deciding factor and Kazakhstan’s stakeholders recognise that.
The UK has a world class setup which brings up talent, nurtures professionalism, and facilitates expert led dialogue. This makes both countries natural partners.
Adrian Dobson delivered a keynote address at the start of the conference, after the HM Ambassador to Kazakhstan welcome remarks, in which they highlighted the UK's expertise in architecture and RIBA's role in driving excellence in architecture.
Adrian also explained the institute's role in providing knowledge, guidance, and training and setting standards of education and practice for chartered architects; how we care for one of the largest and most wide-ranging architectural collections in the world; and our history of promoting high quality and innovative architectural education through the validation of courses and programmes delivered across the world.
There were government officials in the audience, who look after major infrastructure projects and oversee construction sector reforms, and have great interest in how the UK and RIBA can support Kazakhstan reform and upskill local talent.
Future profession session
Adrian Dobson was invited to speak during the future profession session, which looked at the impacts of technology on the profession, how to deliver future-proof upskilling and future collaborations between the UK and Kazakhstan.
Joining Adrian on the panel session, were representatives from the Kazakh State Architecture and Construction Academy (KazGASA), a leading Kazakh university, the University for the Creative Arts, as well as a RIBA accredited architects practicing in Kazakhstan and the wider region.
Indira Makhmetova from Archica, introduced the session and the panel was moderated by Aika Alemi from the University of the Arts London. The panel consisted of:
- Matthew Schalcher, Cross Works
- Kuralay Yesmukhanova, INK Architects
- James Dowen, Dowen Farmer Architects (DFA)
- Bakhtiyar Sabdenaliyev, KazGASA
- Fiona Conlan, University for the Creatives Arts
- Adrian Dobson, RIBA
Adrian provided an overview of what the future holds for the profession - particularly around skills and professional standard, how the profession is changing to be able to mitigate and adapt to climate change and sustainability, breaking down barriers in terms of access to the profession, responding to regulations and ethics, digital innovation, and the importance of upskilling.
The event culminated with the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between the University for the Creative Arts and KazGASA. Much impact will be generated through this educational partnership to upskill local talent. It will help define the profession in the country for the years to come. Botagoz Seitbekova, Bakhtiyar Sabdenaliyev, Madi Aldabergenov, Fiona K. Conlan were instrumental in making sure that this partnership came to life.
You can read more about Adrian's visit to Kazakhstan in this interview by We.Project, a leading local online media outline.
KazGASA visit
Adrian Dobson's participation in the UK Future Places conference, was also an opportunity to visit KasGASA academic building, specialised laboratories, and the UNESCO department.
The tour was followed by a meeting with faculty members of the architecture department, where prospects for collaboration between KazGASA and RIBA were discussed, including exploring RIBA Validation processes.
The British Embassy team also helped two universities to host guest lectures by Patrik Schumacher at KazGASA and Harry Dobbs at NARXOZ.
KazGASA students were also provided an opportunity to showcase their best works in architecture and design, while the ancient futures team were able to demonstrate their latest research and fabrication of biomaterials, namely mycelium, ceramics.
You can read a piece from KazGASA University regarding Adrian's visit.
Words kindly provided by Rassul Alibekuly, Head of the British Trade Office Almaty, Department for Business and Trade
