A university campus in Almaty recently transformed into a creative laboratory where young architects, designers, artists and environmental thinkers explored how sustainability and urban design could reshape everyday city life.
The three-day initiative, known as Creathon 2025, was organised by Urban Forum Kazakhstan and Tabiğat Labs at KazGASA. The event combined urbanism, ecology, design and social innovation into a fast-paced collaborative experiment focused on practical solutions rather than theoretical discussion.
Curator Assel Yeszhanova described Creathon as “a prototype for how creative people can turn local challenges into sustainable solutions.”
A Different Kind of Creative Platform
Unlike a traditional exhibition or hackathon, Creathon brought together participants from multiple disciplines — including architecture, engineering, sociology, ecology and art — all working under intense time pressure.
Out of more than 100 applicants, 21 participants between the ages of 18 and 35 were selected and divided into small mentor-led teams. Within just 72 hours, they were required to move from concept development to full prototype creation before publicly presenting their projects at InEco Fest in Almaty’s Botanical Garden.
The structure followed a strict timeline:
Day 1 focused on concepts and sketches
Day 2 centred on materials and prototyping
Day 3 was dedicated to final assembly and presentations
Throughout the process, lectures and feedback sessions helped maintain collaboration and momentum.
Sustainability at the Core
Organisers stressed that sustainability was not treated as a branding slogan but as the foundation of the entire programme. Most prototypes were built using recycled or locally sourced materials with minimal waste generation.
Among the featured projects were:
“Tamyr Riza” — a felt cocoon seeded with oats designed to create a quiet sensory experience of growth and nature.
“H2O-001” — a system that filters water from irrigation canals into a drinking fountain for humans, birds and stray animals.
Modular Topchan — a flexible multi-level public bench made from textiles and natural pigments.
“The Observer’s Chair” — an installation constructed from discarded furniture to reflect themes of memory and renewal.
Some of the installations remain in Almaty’s Botanical Garden, while others are being replicated in public parks across the city.
Building Community Through Design
Beyond physical structures, Creathon also focused on human interaction and collective creativity.
Participants developed communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills while engaging directly with the public during the final showcase. Families, children and visitors interacted with the installations, turning the event into a community-driven experience.
Designer Chingiz Batyrbekov noted that the project emphasised shared authorship rather than individual achievement. “It’s not about ‘I made it’, but ‘we heard and changed together’,” he said.
A Model for Sustainable Urban Innovation
Creathon was supported by institutions including KazGASA, Chevron and the Main Botanical Garden, demonstrating collaboration between civic groups, educational institutions and private partners.
Organisers say the initiative reflects a broader transformation in Kazakhstan’s creative economy and urban development strategy. Plans are already underway to make Creathon an annual event and expand it into a regional Central Asian network focused on sustainable design and cultural exchange.
The event also highlighted how environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles can move beyond corporate presentations into practical urban solutions:
Environmental: recycled materials and circular design
Social: youth participation and public engagement
Governance: transparent collaboration among public, private and civic actors
A New Creative Identity for Almaty
Organisers believe Creathon is helping position Almaty as a regional hub where ecology, design and civic life intersect.
Drawing comparisons with cities like Copenhagen, which use architecture festivals to test green innovation, Creathon demonstrates how Central Asia is increasingly using creativity as a tool for sustainable urban transformation.
