What Makes a City of the Future Different?

It’s not about glass skyscrapers or Wi-Fi on every corner.

A true city of the future is one where technology makes people’s lives safer and more comfortable.

That’s exactly what Alatau City is meant to become.

President Tokayev recently stated:

“Alatau City must become the region’s first fully digital city — from the use of Smart City technologies to the ability to pay for goods and services with cryptocurrencies. The new city will embody the image of Kazakhstan’s future, combining technological progress with maximum comfort for living.”

It sounds ambitious. But for Alatau to truly embody the image of Kazakhstan’s future, slogans must give way to concrete steps.

Mistakes Not to Repeat

We already have a vivid example — Almaty, where major challenges remain unresolved.

We breathe polluted air, sit in traffic jams, and keep waiting for greener public transport.

If Alatau repeats these mistakes, it will never become a truly digital city.

What Does a “Comfortable City” Mean?

The city of the future must define its core principles from the start:

  • traffic-free mobility,

  • clean air,

  • effective waste management,

  • developed infrastructure and green spaces.

It must be safe and convenient for everyone — drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.

Lessons from Shenzhen

To understand what Alatau could become, it’s worth looking to China. Back in 2011, digital cities became part of the national development strategy there.

The best example is Shenzhen — the first city in the world to fully electrify its public transport. Buses switched to electric power in 2017, followed by tens of thousands of taxis and ambulances by 2018. Artificial intelligence now manages traffic lights in real time: the green signal appears not on a schedule, but based on actual road congestion. The metro system uses computer vision to enhance passenger safety.

From Crypto Payments to a Digital Ecosystem

When it comes to Alatau, one thing is already clear — the city will be crypto-friendly.

That’s innovative, but it’s not enough to make it a truly smart and comfortable city. For Alatau to embody the image of Kazakhstan’s future, it needs a fully integrated digital ecosystem — connecting transport, energy, urban data, architecture, waste management, and citizen services into one coherent system. In such a system, artificial intelligence ensures efficiency and safety, while blockchain technology should extend far beyond cryptocurrency.

Why Blockchain Matters for a City

Think of blockchain as the city’s shared public ledger.

Entries are added one by one, verified by multiple “checkers” before being accepted. Old records are never erased — if something changes, a new entry is simply added. Everyone holds an identical copy, making falsification impossible. For a smart city, that means transparency — in energy trading, transportation, and environmental management — where trust becomes the foundation for growth.

 

In Shenzhen, blockchain is used for very practical purposes. Electric buses and charging stations can sell surplus energy back to the grid, with every transaction recorded transparently — no intermediaries involved. Transport, energy, and environmental agencies share synchronized data: everyone sees the same “ledger,” and no one can alter it.

“The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technologies can revolutionize urban mobility, especially in smart transport systems. This synergy addresses key challenges such as data security, transparency, and operational efficiency in the urban environment,” — notes a research paper describing Shenzhen’s example.

The EE & TT Framework

For Alatau, we can — and must — set similar goals. A clear vision of the city’s future is needed now, not later.

I propose framing it as EE + TT — Ecology & Energy + Transport & Technology.

  • EE — Ecology and Energy: clean air, emission monitoring, large-scale greening, air-quality tracking, responsible waste management, and a shift to clean, renewable energy.

  • TT — Transport and Technology: full electrification of public transport, development of electric vehicles, safe pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, AI-based urban management, blockchain and crypto integration, and a digital haven for startups.

Conclusion

Right now, we have a rare opportunity — to build, from scratch, not just a new city, but the most advanced, comfortable, and technologically integrated one.

Alatau can become more than a showcase project — it can serve as a genuine model of the future, where technology works for people, and where comfort and sustainability set the new gold standard for the entire country.