Astana

Welcome, everyone, to Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan. As an academic observer of urban spaces, I can confidently say that you have arrived in one of the most unique, unusual, and architecturally bizarre cities on the…

Standing before the Khan Shatyr, we are confronted with a colossal architectural marvel that visually anchors the western end of the central boulevard. This structure is famously shaped like a giant, slightly slanted, translucent…

Leaving the climate controlled surrealism of the Khan Shatyr, we step out directly onto the massive, straight avenue that serves as the ceremonial spine of the city center. Looking straight ahead, you can see a colossal building…

Our progression down the boulevard brings us to the most iconic and recognizable structure in all of Astana: the Baiterek monument. Rising prominently above the surrounding cityscape, this tower is an essential piece of the…

Descending from the Baiterek tower, we continue our trajectory eastward, moving deeper into the political heart of the capital. The landscape here transitions from commercial and symbolic spaces to areas of hard, executive power. …

Having reached the far eastern end of the sprawling central boulevard, the spatial dynamics open up even further into a vast, monumental plaza. Here, we encounter a structure designed to physically dwarf the human observer: the…

Turning our attention away from the Kazak Eli column, we face one of the most eccentric structures in the entire capital: the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. It is a massive, geometrically perfect pyramid constructed of stone…

As we conclude our architectural and sociological tour of Astana, we find ourselves near the eastern edge of the monumental district, facing the stunning Hazrat Sultan Mosque. Constructed relatively recently in twenty twelve, the…