Constructionshows
In the run-up to EXPO 2017, the host city of Astana, Kazakhstan will see 26 separate construction projects completed. The projects should all be completed over a period of 26 months, and will be put to use for the duration of the event before opening up for use by the public as part of the city’s infrastructure.
The major international exhibition is to be held in Astana for the months between June and September 2017 and carry the theme “Future Energy.” Astana was announced as the city whose bid to host the event had been successful in late 2012, beating out Liege in Belgium. Architects from the Germany, the UK, the USA, China, the Netherlands and Austria will be attending. Collectively they will represent 49 international companies, along with 20 companies from within Kazakhstan who will also be in attendance.
Image Source: Expo 2017
Many of the 26 construction projects that intend to be completed in time for the event are to be constructed as part of the 240,000 square meter site on which the exhibition is to be held. A range of unique and innovative structures are to be constructed on the site, including the approximately spherical main pavilion. This structure is to be 100 metres high and have a diameter of 80 meters.
The site will also be home to a number of apartment buildings. These developments will contain a total of 4,000 residential units. These will be joined by a complex dedicated to retail and leisure facilities. Other key developments on the 240,000 metre main exhibition site will include a school, hotel, an art centre, and a range of additional pavilions, conference centres and halls.
A range of supplementary facilities will be constructed nearby across a total land area of 750,000 square metres. These will provide for the needs of exhibition attendees during the conference. Key development types include offices, warehouses, hotels and further residential developments along with social venues.
According to Kanagat Tlemissoc, advisor to the Astana EXPO 2017 Company’s president, once the event has been concluded all of these developments will be integrated into the city. This is intended to boost the area’s economy and help meet demand for high-quality commercial and residential infrastructure. The site occupies a prime location within the city close to public and road transport infrastructure. It is hoped that this will boost accessibility for the duration of the event and improve the financial and practical value of developments on the site when they enter general use.
The Kazakh President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, recently attended the site that is to house the EXPO 2017 developments and to take part in a capsule-laying ceremony as preparatory work began. The main phase of construction at the site is due to start in 2015 and continue throughout 2016 and into early 2017.
Matthew Scott
