Have you heard of the concept of smart cities? That’s what Astana is trying to implement in Kazakhstan. This project consists of a city where cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence work together to make streets safer, traffic smoother, and public services more efficient. This city is leading the national rankings for smart urban technologies, and this new Astana project is a bold move that promises to transform daily life in the city by 2030. But what does this mean in practice for local residents? Discover more about the impact of this technology.
Astana bets on smart city technology to increase security
Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, has made several technological investments to improve the quality of life of its residents. The city currently has 6,000 cameras monitoring streets and intersections, and other devices monitor public transportation in real time, enabling authorities not only to detect violations but also to optimize routes, reduce delays, respond faster to incidents, and create a safer, more efficient environment that positively impacts everyone’s daily routine in the city.
City residents will see a significant impact on their ability to return in emergencies and will also feel a greater sense of safety on the streets, which in turn can enable more organized traffic. For public administration, this project presents an opportunity to transform collected data and metrics into actions that can be effective in several areas of improvement, such as cost reduction and increased effectiveness of necessary services.
How artificial intelligence works in urban management
One of the project’s strengths is the digital twin, a virtual replica representing the city of Astana, which will receive real-time data from over 100,000 cameras connected to the server. This tool will enable the city’s urban planners to visualize situations more quickly, thus helping them anticipate potential problems. This is a significant advantage because it ensures faster and more accurate decision-making, directly impacting residents’ quality of life.
Artificial intelligence will be an important tool for analyzing traffic flows, and even predicting where an accident is likely to occur. The system will be able to detect a vehicle parked in a prohibited area and automatically notify authorities, ensuring faster responses, preventing potential hazards, and contributing to a safer, more organized urban environment that directly improves the daily lives of residents and visitors alike.
International cooperation
The city of Astana’s agreement with Presight AI involved a significant investment of US$190 million, and it is estimated that 60% of the work will be carried out by Kazakh companies, ensuring local development, generating jobs, and transferring knowledge to residents. This idea strengthens a technological idea in the country that will not only create jobs, but also skilled jobs, in addition to positioning the city as an example of a global, technologically advanced, and smart city.
Strategic Partnership and Local Impact
The partnership will also encourage collaboration between universities, startups, and technology companies, boosting research and development within Kazakhstan. By fostering innovation locally, Astana ensures that solutions are adapted to the real needs of its population rather than imported models. This strategy reinforces the creation of an innovation hub capable of exporting knowledge and technology to other regions, enhancing the country’s influence on the global stage of smart city development.
Astana is fully ready to show the entire world that innovation, progress, and quality of life are deeply and inseparably connected. With cutting-edge technology, advanced artificial intelligence systems, and a bold, ambitious long-term strategic vision, the dynamic capital of Kazakhstan is confidently positioning itself as an inspiring global benchmark for modern urban development, intelligent infrastructure, and sustainable growth that prioritizes the well-being and daily experience of all its citizens.