At a briefing in Shymkent on August 27, 2025, the city administration provided extensive information on the process of expropriating land plots for state needs. This work has become one of the most relevant areas of urban development in recent years. As the metropolis grows rapidly and the need for road and transport infrastructure and social facilities increases, it is becoming a natural phenomenon that certain territories are returned to state ownership for the implementation of new projects.

Since the beginning of 2025, 254 land plots have been returned to the state for state needs in Shymkent. Of these, 207 land plots with a total area of 116.7 hectares were paid compensation in the amount of 5.1 billion tenge. This is a clear evidence of protecting the legal rights of residents and ensuring mutual understanding between the state and citizens. In addition, the owners of 31 land plots were offered land of equal value, 6 plot owners voluntarily refused, and 3 plots were returned by court decision. In addition, 7 land plots with a total area of 57.24 hectares were transferred to state ownership without compensation by court decision. This saved the budget about 500 million tenge.

This experience has happened before. For example, in 2022, hundreds of land plots were taken into state ownership in Shymkent for the construction of stages 3-4 of Kunayev Avenue. Even then, landowners were provided with compensation or alternative land plots, and a number of plots were returned through the courts. And in 2023, a similar large-scale process was carried out in connection with the construction of the A-2 highway in the Turan district. Relatively speaking, the expropriation of land for state needs is expanding every year. This is influenced by the growth rate of the metropolis and the demand for the construction of new roads, schools, hospitals, and sports facilities in the city.

The majority of the land returned this year is aimed at large infrastructure projects:

• Under phase 5 of Kunayev Avenue, 248 of the 270 plots have been returned to state ownership and compensation has been paid.

• A-2 highway (from the Badam River to the bypass to the Kazygurt microdistrict) - compensation is being paid for 23 of 80 sections.

• Continuation of S. Baiterekov Street - 33 of the 56 plots have been taken into state ownership.

• For the construction of a new stadium in the Karatau district, 174 of the 191 plots were returned with compensation, and 6 with alternative land.

• 23 out of 24 land plots in the Abay district have been transferred to the state for street repair work .

All of these projects are aimed at improving the quality of life of Shymkent residents. Reducing traffic congestion in the city, creating new sports infrastructure, and developing transport arteries connecting microdistricts with the center are strategic priorities today.

However, such processes always cause different opinions in society. Some residents take the loss of their land seriously, and questions about the amount of compensation are often raised. In this regard, at meetings held in 2024, the city administration focused on aligning the amount of compensation with the market price. This practice continues this year, and fair assessment mechanisms are being used.

Compared to previous years, the system of returning land plots for state needs is being carried out on an increasingly open and legal basis. For example, in 2022, many misunderstandings arose among the population due to a lack of information. And since 2023, a process of openly discussing these works, informing residents in advance, and publishing the procedure for paying compensation has been introduced. In 2025, steps in this direction will be further strengthened, and explanatory work is being actively carried out through social networks.

According to the city administration, about 30 land plots will be returned to state ownership without compensation in the future. This primarily concerns unused or illegally acquired lands. Such an approach will, on the one hand, save budget funds, and on the other hand, make it possible to use the land more efficiently.

In general, the expropriation of land for state needs is a normal process in world practice. For example, similar measures are carried out in megacities in neighboring countries during the construction of new roads and metros. The situation in Shymkent is similar: population growth and the development of the city require new infrastructure, and for this it is necessary to return a certain territory to state ownership.

During a briefing on August 27, local authorities made a public appeal to residents, emphasizing that each site will be considered within the framework of the law, and citizens' rights will be protected. This step is aimed at strengthening trust in society and increasing mutual understanding between the population and the authorities.

In conclusion, the measures to expropriate land for state needs in Shymkent are a necessary and legitimate process on the way to transforming the city into a modern metropolis. As in previous years, this work will continue in the future, laying the foundation for the construction of new schools, hospitals, sports facilities and roads. Most importantly, the interests of residents are taken into account and fair compensation is being paid.