“Urban Zebra” appeared in Almaty Management University

On November 18, in front of the main entrance to the university, students of the faculty of Urban Studies and City Management, together with Almaty Center for Urban Studies and “Q-lab” laboratory of urban projects, presented a new creative art object.

The aim of the workshop was to demonstrate practically and visually how tactical urbanism * works, and to create a recreation area for students in the form of urban space. Students, the deputy head of  “Q-lab” laboratory of urban projects Ainur Zhubanova, the urban architect of Almaty Center for Urban Studies Zarina Dauletkan, a specialist in urban transport Roman Barabanov, and the rector of Almaty Management University of Kurganbaeva Gulmira Amanzholovna took part in the creation of the art space.

Zarina Dauletkan: “According to our work experience, we believe that it is better to show a living example than just tell about it. Recently, a faculty associated with urban studies was opened at the School of State and Public Policy, so there were no difficulties with choosing a location. This art object is a small example of the fact that the university has something related to this area, and also how to make a project in the city that will protect the urban environment, give priority to pedestrians and even reduce the number of accidents”.

On the site of one of the parking lots, there will be parklets **, where students can drink coffee, have lunch, and spend time communicating with each other.

Roman Barabanov: “Parklets will help the city residents take a different look at the space that is usually occupied by cars. In its place, you can organize a bench, cafe, whose windows overlook the parking lot, hold some kind of action among local residents, among passers-by. Thus, people will have a different attitude to the place occupied by cars. They will begin to appreciate it. At AlmaU, we made a sidewalk in order to provide additional visibility between the pedestrian crossing and a moving car. When the car is parked right in front of the pedestrian, it blocks the “visibility triangle” and the person is not visible. In this case, when the pedestrian falls into the “visibility zone”, the reaction time for the car driver drops significantly, and he can simply knock it down. Thanks to the parklets, we can prevent this. ”

The further task of the guys is to track the life of the art space, its effectiveness, the feedback of others and in general, to monitor the life of the project. It is very important to monitor this, as well as make adjustments, in the course of its existence.

AlmaU will continue to acquaint students with the types of urban studies and organize useful and creative workshops!

It is worth reminding that AlmaU is the only university in Kazakhstan to open the faculty of Urban Studies and City Management in 2019

* Tactical Urbanism  includes low-cost temporary changes in the built-up environment, usually in cities, designed to improve local areas and urban gathering places.

** Parklet is a small recreation area in large cities, in particular in business districts, which is a continuation of the sidewalk.