ENOTA Wins Eastern Gate Polycenter Competition in Almaty

The Slovenian architectural practice ENOTA has been announced as the winner of the International Architectural Competition for the conceptual design of the Eastern Gate Polycenter District in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Organised by the Municipality of Almaty in collaboration with SHARE Architects, the competition forms part of the city’s long-term strategy under the Almaty 2040 Masterplan, which promotes a transition toward a polycentric urban structure.

The international competition attracted 15 architectural firms from Europe, North America, and Asia, reflecting Almaty’s ambition to position its emerging urban districts within a global design discourse. The awards ceremony, held in Almaty, marked a key moment in defining how the city’s eastern gateway could evolve into a contemporary, resilient urban district.

A Polycentric Vision for Almaty’s Eastern Gateway

The Eastern Gate Polycenter is conceived as a major urban node within Almaty’s expanding metropolitan framework. ENOTA’s proposal replaces a conventional rigid grid with a network of interconnected pedestrian arteries and landscaped promenades, each offering a distinct spatial character while maintaining strong overall coherence.

This approach responds directly to the city’s polycentric ambitions, allowing the district to function as a self-sustaining urban centre rather than a peripheral extension. The masterplan prioritises walkability and human-scale public space, supporting everyday urban life through layered circulation, mixed-use programmes, and integrated landscape systems.

Urban Connectivity and Spatial Identity

According to the international jury, ENOTA’s winning scheme stood out for its clear urban logic and high level of connectivity. The design creates a legible structure that encourages movement across the district while establishing recognisable neighbourhood identities.

Pedestrian routes, green corridors, and public spaces are organised to promote social interaction and spatial continuity, reducing dependence on vehicular movement. This emphasis on connectivity allows the Eastern Gate Polycenter to function as both a destination and a transition zone.

Climate-Responsive and Sustainable Framework

Sustainability plays a central role in the proposal, extending beyond technical performance into urban form and spatial organisation. ENOTA integrates climate-responsive strategies that address Almaty’s environmental conditions, using landscape as an active element in regulating microclimate and enhancing outdoor comfort.

The jury highlighted the project’s robust sustainability framework, noting its alignment with Almaty’s ambition to combine mountainous landscapes, green infrastructure, and contemporary urban living.

Dual Recognition Across Almaty’s Strategic Gateways

In addition to winning the Eastern Gate Polycenter, ENOTA also received a Mention for its proposal for the Western Gate Polycenter, the second site addressed within the same international competition. This dual recognition underscores the studio’s capacity to develop distinct yet conceptually coherent urban strategies across multiple strategic gateways.