On July 29, 2025, the next meeting of the Department of Comfortable Environment Development was held in Shymkent. During the meeting, the status of improvement works in the city, sanitary measures, new initiatives in the direction of landscaping, and issues of improving infrastructure were comprehensively considered. The management of the Department noted that ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for the city's residents is one of the main priorities.

The meeting gave specific tasks for each department, established deadlines for their implementation and control mechanisms. Cleaning city streets, landscaping parks and courtyards, maintaining engineering infrastructure facilities, improving lighting and irrigation systems were among the main issues on the agenda. Measures were also considered to ensure the timely removal of household solid waste and increase the level of recycling.

The peculiarity of this meeting is its focus on the impact on the city's ecosystem and its sustainable development. Shymkent is one of the largest metropolises of the country, where the population is growing every year. Accordingly, traffic, the volume of household waste, and the load on green areas are also increasing. Therefore, landscaping and planting are important not only from an aesthetic, but also from an ecological point of view.

The Department of Environmental Development plans to plant more than 15,000 tree seedlings this year to expand the city's green belt. In addition, work has been undertaken to create more than 40 new flower beds and lawns in the courtyards of apartment buildings and public parks. Such initiatives will improve the city's microclimate and help reduce air temperatures during the summer heat.

The issue of sanitation is also a priority. The frequency of garbage collection on city streets has been increased, and the practice of separate collection of solid waste is being gradually introduced. In recent years, the share of household waste recycling has increased from 18% to 27%. This reduces the burden on the ecosystem and the risk of soil and water pollution.

Compared to previous years, the format of such meetings has also changed significantly. For example, in 2022–2023, landscaping issues were mainly considered within the framework of seasonal planning, while from 2024, a system of constant environmental monitoring and digital control began to be introduced. Now, on a number of main streets in the city, garbage collection and irrigation equipment is tracked via GPS, and the quality of work is monitored in real time. This consistency is the main lesson learned from past experience.

In addition, the role of residents in protecting the city's ecosystem is also increasing. The meeting made proposals to actively involve volunteers, youth organizations and local communities in landscaping. Such a practice of public participation proved its effectiveness during the "Clean City" campaign in 2023: then, more than 1,200 residents took part in the clean-up activities in 3 months, and about 50 tons of garbage were removed. This year, it is planned to double this figure.

Landscaping and landscaping measures have a direct impact on the city's ecosystem. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, purify the air, reduce wind speed, and moderate the urban climate. Flower beds and lawns trap dust and reduce the spread of allergens. Efficient use of irrigation and lighting systems is consistent with modern approaches to energy and resource conservation.

The Department of Development of a Comfortable Environment identified priorities for the coming months at a staff meeting. These include:

• Increase the city's green space by 10%;
  
  
• Improving the waste collection and sorting system;
  
  
• Comprehensive landscaping of the courtyards of multi-storey buildings;
  
  
• Modernization of lighting and irrigation systems in public places;
  
  
• Conducting monthly environmental campaigns and sabbaticals.
  
  

In conclusion, the head of the department noted that improving the quality of life of city residents and protecting the ecosystem go hand in hand. He reminded that a comfortable environment in the city is not only clean streets and beautiful parks, but also a sustainable system that allows maintaining ecological balance.