On July 29, 2025, the next hardware meeting of the Department for the Development of a Comfortable Urban Environment was held in Shymkent. The main topics of the meeting were the improvement of the city, sanitary cleaning, landscaping and improvement of infrastructure. Such events are held regularly, but the current meeting was especially indicative, since it focused not only on the everyday aspects of cleanliness and order, but also on their impact on the environmental sustainability of the metropolis.

At the meeting, department heads presented reports on the work done and discussed new tasks. City services continue their course to create a comfortable and safe environment for residents, including systematic landscaping, infrastructure renovation, control over solid waste removal, and modernization of irrigation and lighting systems. Specific instructions with clear deadlines and the identification of responsible persons were given for each area.

Improvement and sanitation as the basis of the urban ecosystem

One of the central issues of the meeting was the sanitary cleaning of the city. In summer, the load on public utilities increases several times: high temperatures accelerate the decomposition of waste, increase the amount of dust and make areas where cleaning is not carried out regularly especially noticeable. In this regard, a decision was made to strengthen the garbage removal schedule and increase the number of mobile teams to work in remote areas.

Special attention is paid to the introduction of a separate waste collection system and increasing the percentage of waste recycling. If a few years ago less than 20% of solid municipal waste was recycled in Shymkent, then by the end of the first half of 2025 this figure had grown to 27%. Such growth means a reduction in the load on landfills and a reduction in the risk of soil and groundwater pollution.

Greening and creation of a "green shield" of the city

The meeting also considered the issue of systematic greening. As part of the current program, it is planned to plant 15 thousand trees and shrubs by the end of the year, as well as to improve more than 40 new flower beds and lawns in courtyards and public spaces. This is not only an aesthetic improvement of the city's appearance, but also a real contribution to climate sustainability.

Green spaces reduce dust levels, retain moisture in the soil and absorb carbon dioxide. In the hot climate of Shymkent, such measures are especially important: green areas reduce the effect of the urban heat island, making the summer months more comfortable for residents.

The issue of caring for existing plantings was also raised at the meeting. Planting trees is often perceived as the final stage, but without regular watering and sanitary pruning, young trees do not take root, and old ones lose their stability. In this regard, the Department for the Development of a Comfortable Urban Environment, together with municipal enterprises, is strengthening control over the condition of city parks and squares.

Infrastructure improvements and digital control

Modern improvement is impossible without high-quality infrastructure. The meeting discussed plans to modernize street lighting and irrigation systems. The use of automated and cost-effective technologies allows for a reduction in water and electricity costs, while simultaneously increasing the efficiency of public utilities.

Digital control has been actively implemented in the last two years. In 2024, the first GPS trackers appeared in Shymkent on equipment cleaning streets and watering green areas. Now city services can see in real time where each unit of special transport is and what work it is doing. This approach increases transparency and discipline, and residents get cleaner streets and well-kept yards.

Comparison with past experience and the role of residents

Compared to previous years, the approach to city improvement is becoming more systematic. In 2022–2023, the focus was mainly on seasonal work: spring clean-ups, summer watering, and autumn leaf removal. Today, the work is year-round, based on planning, digital technologies, and public participation.

An important element was the involvement of residents. During the meeting, a proposal was made to more actively involve yard committees, youth organizations and volunteers in environmental campaigns and clean-up days. The experience of last year's "Clean City" campaign showed that citizen participation produces tangible results: in three months of 2024, it was possible to remove more than 50 tons of garbage from public areas, and the number of complaints about unsanitary conditions decreased by almost a third.

Impact on the urban ecosystem and quality of life

The measures discussed have a direct impact on the environmental sustainability of Shymkent. Regular cleaning reduces the amount of dust and allergens in the air, separate waste collection reduces the burden on nature, and the expansion of green areas improves the microclimate and increases biodiversity.

A clean and well-maintained city is not only comfortable for residents, but also attractive for investors and tourists. Environmental stability is directly related to economic development: less money is spent on eliminating the consequences of pollution, more attention is paid to creating new infrastructure.

Summary and Next Steps

The results of the meeting showed that a long-term strategy for creating a comfortable and safe urban environment continues to be formed in Shymkent. Systematicity, digital control, public involvement and consideration of environmental factors make this process more effective than in previous years.

The coming months will show how clearly the announced plans will be implemented. If the planned measures are completed on time, residents will receive not only a clean and green city, but also a sustainable ecosystem that will protect Shymkent from the climate and environmental challenges of the coming years.