Kazakhstan Proposes New Constitutional Law on Capital's Status with Unified Design Code

A new draft Constitutional Law "On the Status of the Capital" has been developed in Kazakhstan, outlining comprehensive changes for the governance and development of the city. The document is currently available for public discussion until April 20.

The proposed law aims to establish the legal, economic, and organizational foundations for the capital's functioning, formally cementing its special status within the country.

Significant changes are planned for local governance. The powers of the city's maslikhat (local representative body) and akimat (local executive body) will be expanded and clarified. They will be responsible for a wide array of areas, from urban planning and ecology to migration, transport, and land relations. The draft also seeks to optimize functions by eliminating redundant norms already covered by other codes and laws.

A key innovation is the introduction of a unified architectural appearance and a so-called "design code" for the capital. These requirements will apply to nearly all elements of the urban environment: buildings, engineering and transport networks, streets, advertising, signage, lighting, and landscaping elements. To implement this, the akimat may conduct technical surveys of apartment buildings and compile a list of objects requiring renovation to meet the unified style. Residents could then decide on repairs, with potential state compensation from the budget.

The law also defines the territory of the capital and introduces the concept of a suburban zone—areas outside city limits that form a single social, natural, and economic system with it. A specific land use regime will be established for these zones to enable more systematic development.

Major updates are planned for the transport system. The law envisions developing a Center for Traffic Management responsible for managing parking lots, monitoring traffic flows, operating traffic lights, vehicle towing, and implementing intelligent transport systems. The center would also analyze accident rates and develop schemes to reduce traffic load.

The document outlines special regulations for forest-park zones within the capital—areas serving protective health-improving recreational functions where activities harmful to ecosystems such as waste dumping hunting or soil disturbance would be prohibited

The infrastructure scope defined in detail includes engineering networks transport systems healthcare education facilities trade as well as landscaping It also provides for creating fully state-owned organizations focused on city development investment attraction preparation for international events tourism promotion business event-based medical

The law emphasizes that as political administrative center nation hosts key state institutions including Akorda Presidential Residence government Supreme Court serves venue international nationwide events

If adopted new law expected take effect July 2026 at which point current Law On Status Capital dated July 2007 would become void