Kazakhstan: The Astana Move

By

Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

Declaration

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

Abstract

The current study discusses the topic of Kazakhstan and the movement of its capital Astana. This dissertation will discuss the movement of the capital city of Kazakhstan from Almaty to Astana. In December 1997, the government of Kazakhstan, in Central Asia, under President Nursultan Nazarbaev, moved its capital city from the picturesque foothills of the Tian Shan Mountains in the South East of Kazakhstan, close to the border with China to the flat northern central steppe lands closer to the geographic centre of Kazakhstan. A qualitative research has been conducted in order to discover and discuss the reasons for the movement of Kazakhstan's capital from Almaty to Astana.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Problem Statement2

Aims2

Research Question2

Electronic Database Searches3

Theoretical Frame work3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW5

Kazakhstan5

History6

Culture8

Almaty10

History12

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY14

Research Strategy/Design14

Data Collection14

CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION16

Analysis16

Movement of Capital17

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION20

REFERENCES21

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

The current study discusses the topic of Kazakhstan and the movement of its capital Astana. This dissertation will discuss the movement of the capital city of Kazakhstan from Almaty to Astana. In December 1997, the government of Kazakhstan, in Central Asia, under President Nursultan Nazarbaev, moved its capital city from the picturesque foothills of the Tian Shan Mountains in the South East of Kazakhstan, close to the border with China to the flat northern central steppe lands closer to the geographic centre of Kazakhstan.

Background of the Study

In December 1997, the government of Kazakhstan, in Central Asia, under President Nursultan Nazarbaev, moved its capital city from the picturesque foothills of the Tian Shan Mountains in the South East of Kazakhstan, close to the border with China to the flat northern central steppe lands closer to the geographic centre of Kazakhstan (Marton & Yan Pong, 2005, pp. 335). The general consensus of opinions surrounding the move has been mixed but in general, both national and international views have included” bizarre”, “extravagant”, “misguided” and “mystifying”. Another theory postulated is that this was down to a simple whimsical fancy of Nazarbaev. It is doubtful the real reasons will never be admitted nor released into the public domain. The cost of the relocation has been a considerable for Kazakhstan which is a relatively poor country by Western standards. Initial cost estimates started at US$ 400 Million, but costs escalated to the point where the actual costs have been hidden by central government (Levada & Vale, 1994, pp. 3). It is doubtful the true cost will ever be revealed to the Kazakh people or the world. The president decreed that no funds would be used for the move from the ...