Design & Society: Design as a Force for Behavioral Change at Scale in Kazakhstan PDF

1095179 research-article2022 WFRXXX10.1177/19467567221095179World Futures ReviewKrauss Special Issue Article...

1095179 research-article2022 WFRXXX10.1177/19467567221095179World Futures ReviewKrauss Special Issue Article World Futures Review 2022, Vol. 14(2-4) 117–132 Design & Society: Design as a © The Author(s) 2022 Article reuse guidelines: Force for Behavioral Change sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/19467567221095179 https://doi.org/10.1177/19467567221095179 at Scale in Kazakhstan journals.sagepub.com/home/wfr Noteh Krauss1 Abstract Through an examination of the relationship of politics and aesthetics this paper challenges outdated human-centered modes of design in order to offer a new framework—Design & Society—which accounts for the role that politics, ideologies, systematic relationships, context and narratives play and have played in shaping the lived reality of past, contemporary and future life. Through a deep examination of the politico-design economy of Astana (since renamed Nur- Sultan) championed by former president of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev this paper peels back the strategic layers for the creation of Astana. Relevant to designers, policy-makers, futurists, business interests, and those studying the urban environment in general as well the nation of Kazakhstan in particular, this paper unravels the layers of history, demographic pressures, and geopolitical posturing that have intentionally placed Astana as a force changing Kazakh society forever by causing behavioral change at scale. This paper outlines a three-stage process of creation: conceptualization, materialization, and realization to track the design process of Astana and its effects at large on a personal level for millions of Kazakhs. In the conceptualization stage, the paper tracks the motivators from the past, the present considerations and future goals for the design of Astana. In the materialization stage, the threads are weaved together into the architecture of the three most prominent buildings in the Kazakh Capital: The Palace of Peace and Accord, Khan Shatyr Shopping Center and Baiterek tower. In the realization stage, the impact on the individuals of Kazakhstan is considered. Through this study, the dance of Design & Society and the ever evolving impact of one onto the other is presented as a key lens for all future studies of design. Keywords design, Kazakhstan, Astana, politics and aesthetics, Nur-Sultan, design process, systems thinking, human-centered design, design and society, politico-design Introduction of nearly infinite decisions made by other humans. The buildings we inhabit, the screens We are living in an age where the majority of we stare at, and the platforms on which we humans live in a city (United Nations, 2018) and nearly half use a smartphone (Pew 1 Founder, Aesthetic Dimension Group (ADG), Oakland, Research, 2020). Thus, our day-to-day is not CA, USA simply shaped by the weather, the seasons, the Corresponding Author: natural geography, or the physical conditions Noteh Krauss, Founder, ADG, 100 Sheppard Ave E in which we find ourselves surrounded. #502, Toronto, ON M2N 6N5 Canada. Instead, our human experience is an assembly Email: [email protected] Web: www.adg.design 118 World Futures Review 14(2-4) interact with others have been created by something essentially imaginary, whereas the designers, architects, business people, politi- materialization stage includes something cians and more. Never in our history has so essentially experiential. much of our lived experience taken place so Finally, we move to the realization stage. intimately via experiences created and miti- This is when something becomes so widely gated by people versus nature. I offer this as an experienced such that it becomes part of the observation through which to begin an exami- fabric of our reality on a large social scale. At nation of the process of futures. this stage, the concept has materialized into Despite the frequent presence of design in such a form that it is ubiquitous and well- our daily life, design remains a primarily aes- known. This is also the stage where the great- thetic, symbolic or user-needs focused field. I est impact takes place. By this point, the intend to present an opposing framework for concept may be widely propagated and affect- viewing design as an active force for national, ing millions of people. international and societal shift. To do so, I present a three-stage framework through which we can understand the development of Development of Futures - The Role futures—(1) the concept stage, (2) the materi- of Design alization stage, and (3) the realization stage. For the purposes of this essay, I define design as the way in which the decisions of people Development of Futures - The have made things come to be. In other words, design is the means by which a concept moves 3-Stages through the concept to materialization stage In this paper, I think of futures as how a future and then the realization stage. With this frame present reality comes to be. The future is a in mind, I break down the design strategy of the stage forward in time that is as real and com- capital of Kazakhstan to demonstrate the devel- plex as our current present—and like all frag- opment of a new future present for the nation. ments of the present, it is rooted in the past. By highlighting how the potent process of When considering futures, I consider that that design was used to reshape more than the just future past may in fact be our present and deci- the aesthetic of a nation, I suggest further impli- sions made now will echo forward to shape cations for the role and impact of design. I sug- that future present reality. With the future pres- gest a move in design thinking and execution ent to be understood as a present moment at from a human-centered lens to a social and sys- some point in the future. tematic lens—a Design & Society framework. Now, in moving toward a future, the first It is through this lens that we will begin our stage is the concept stage. In this stage, the exploration of the development of Nur-Sultan, ideas, strategy, constraints, and goals are the capital of Kazakhstan, earlier called Astana developed in an intangible fashion. Perhaps until it was renamed in March 2019 and they may exist on paper, but ultimately the remains commonly known by its former name. space they inhabit is a metaphysical one. In the I will break down the design strategy of Astana concept stage, the future exists as essentially in order to demonstrate how this potent pro- an idea. cess of design and futuring was used to reshape Next, we move to the materialization stage. the nation of Kazakhstan. In this stage, ideas become tangible in a way that they can be experienced by others. The Process of Astana Examples of tangibles range from a prototype to a complete and active structure. Tangibles On 16 December 1991 the Kazakh Soviet do not need to be exclusively physical—a ser- Socialist Republic (SSR) became the Republic vice can be a tangible materialization of a con- of Kazakhstan. It was the last Soviet Republic cept. To further distinguish these two stages, to declare independence. By that time, the for- the concept stage includes the existence of mer First Secretary of the Kazakh SSR—an Krauss 119 ethnic Kazakh named Nursultan Nazarbayev— a New Present Foundation, and Future had already been appointed President of Strategy and Goals which I will explain in fur- Kazakhstan and was soon elected as the first ther details below. President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This will allow us to transition to the mate- In 1995 President Nazarbayev declared rialization stage where we shall see how the there would be a new Kazakh capital in what concepts for Astana were leveraged into a would become Astana. The town of Aqmola, design strategy to successfully resolve and formerly known as Tselinograd in Soviet position Kazakhstan for success according to a times, had been chosen. Aqmola was located new vision of Kazakhstan. We will explore this roughly in the geographic center of the coun- materialization stage through the analysis of try, but culturally considered in the North. On three fundamental buildings to the Astana proj- 10 December 1997, the Capital of the Republic ect: the Palace of Peace and Accord, the Khan of Kazakhstan was officially moved from Shatyr shopping Center and Baiterek Tower. Almaty, the capital during Soviet times, to Finally, we will turn to the realization stage what was soon renamed Astana and then most- where we will observe how through successful recently, Nur-Sultan. transitions Astana was able to imbue society Officially, the government proclaimed that with new consciousness, new behaviors and the capital was being moved due to the danger new mindsets that the project wished to of seismic activity in Almaty, and also due to realize. the fact that it was situated only 300 km away from the Chinese border it was at greater risk of invasion. However, as I will demonstrate the Concept reasons for the capital move were far more Let us begin with a breakdown of each compo- multifaceted and complex. nent contained within the Concept for Astana. The plans for the building of this new capital quickly bloomed for the Left Bank of the Ishim river—and made it immediately clear that this (A) Motivators from the Past would be no ordinary place. International archi- (i) Monument to Nomadism. A sign of great tecture firms like the renowned Foster + civilizations has often thought to be seen Partners and urban planners like Kisho through the structures they have built. Such as Kurokawa were brought in to design and create how one may go to Egypt to marvel at the Pyr- the extremely modern and futuristic looking amids or wander through the Coliseum in city that Astana is today (Köppen 2011, 591). Rome. However, nomadic Kazakh culture— President Nursultan Nazarbayev took a major by its very nature of being mobile—did not role in the designing and planning of many of build any monuments to its civilization or past the buildings and Astana as a whole—even (Diener 2002, 640). Thus, when Russian colo- drawing sketches for several of the designs nizers and later Soviets came to the Kazakh himself (Wainwright 2017). With this brief steppe and failed to find almost any permanent background now complete, as we will see structures at all they viewed nomadic culture through my analysis below, the decision to cre- as backward, outdated and the land as empty ate a new capital in a new place was more than (Esenova 2002, 21; Diener 2002, 643). As a logistical decision—it was highly construc- Kazakhs approached the later historical stages tive motion to establish a new future for of Stalin’s terror and russification within the Kazakhstan and Kazakh society. Soviet Union, Kazakh cultural creation became further eroded through this period (Esenova Developing a Future Kazakhstan - 2002, 21). Therefore, by choosing to build a uniquely The 3-Stages Kazakh capital, President Nazarbayev could The concept for the new capital essentially respond to this challenge by reviving and dis- involved, according to my analysis, three core playing proudly the greatness of Kazakh civili- strategies: Motivators from the Past, Creating zation. He saw Astana as a Kazakh capital, and 120 World Futures Review 14(2-4) through its location on the Steppe, as a symbol Tselinograd further underscored and rein- glorifying Kazakh identity in both the past and forced Kazakh identity in relation to the recent the future. In the words of Nazarbayev, “this Soviet past while simultaneously asserting well-thought, historically motivated, and Kazakh sovereignty to the Russian population future-oriented decision is a product of a cen- in the North. Thus, by using the former loca- turies-long search.... The Sary-Arka steppe, tion of Tselinograd to found a new capital, the which is spread boundlessly around us, is a Astana project was able to assert Kazakh sov- witness to the past. It witnessed great victories ereignty, ethnic claims and identity over what of our ancestors and their victorious swords had become a Russified area perhaps posing a pointed to the sky” (Anacker 2004, 528). In challenge to the integrity of the state (Wolfel this way, President Nazarbayev is rooting the 2002, 485). Even more so, through this action, very founding of Astana as a physical and aes- Astana strengthened Kazakh claims to all of thetic display of the past greatness of Kazakh Kazakhstan’s territory; thus, undermining civilization, continuing into the future. claims by other ethnic groups for greater sov- ereignty. By establishing Astana in this fash- (ii) Russians in the North and the Virgin Lands ion, the new capital could simultaneously Campaign. At independence, Kazakhstan— rectify the past, reify the present, and establish meaning “the land of Kazakhs”—had a less the future of the Kazakh Republic. than majority Kazakh population (Diener 2002, 640). The Northern area of the country (iii) Replacing Soviet Ideology. Like elsewhere in was occupied by a majority Russian popula- the USSR, the break-up of the Soviet Union tion while the south of the country was mostly had a devastating and detrimental effect on the Kazakh (Wolfel 2002, 490). The government, lives of many in the former Kazakh Soviet in order to reduce the risk of a Russian separat- Socialist Republic. The break-up of the Soviet ist movement, had to adopt policy that would Union meant significant economic decline and somehow address this issue (Wolfel 2002, also a questioning and loss of what had been 490). Russians and Kazakhs had experienced strong societal values for the past 70 years mutual antagonism and even conflict with each (Laszczkowski 2011, 82). As Laszczkowski other since as early as the 16th century when put it, “In the early and mid-1990s in Kazakh- Cossacks moved into traditionally Kazakh ter- stan as elsewhere in the former USSR, not only ritory (Wolfel 2002, 490). However, it was were solutions to alleviate the grave economic Khrushchev’s Virgin Lands campaign that crisis and offer some hope for future stability brought most of the Russian population to and development badly need, but also the very what is now Northern Kazakhstan. Khrush- sustainability of society as a whole was in chev sought to bring the barren steppe under doubt. cultivation, and created industries, cities and Most of the population experience the time agriculture in the area which brought in thou- as one of decay, atrophy, deprivation, rapid sands of Russian workers (Cummings 2006, disappearance of vital safeguards, and ques- 196). It was thus at this point that Tselino- tioning or outright abolishment of values pre- grad—meaning virgin lands city—was viously taken for granted” (Laszczkowski founded as a centerpiece of this operation. 2011, 82). With the break-up of the Soviet These Russians settled and felt attachment to Union the social order was broken, the teleol- the land, considering themselves to be “pio- ogy of Communism was abandoned, and the neers,” whereas before, in their view, this had future had now become unknowable. been empty land (Anacher 2004, 519). Thus, By building Astana, Nazarbayev could con- by founding Astana in the former “virgin lands currently create jobs and growth for city,” the new capital was further asserting the Kazakhstanis, but also offer citizens a new ide- Kazakhness of this area and reasserting Kazakh ology and vision of the future. Astana created historical domination of the Northern steppe. jobs working everywhere from the state, to In this way, the location of Astana in former large companies, to the grocery stores that Krauss 121 would be needed for residents. However, they have no other state in the world which has Astana created far more than just jobs—Astana demonstrated concern about the preservation gave citizens a renewed hope in progress and and development of the Kazakhs as an ethnic their futures. Laszczkowski terms it the group, about their culture, way of life, lan- “Astana Effect”—whereby citizens gain “a guage and traditions. The definition of restored sense of a cohesive, progress-oriented Kazakhstan as a national state must identify sociality directed toward a collective future the state in this capacity first of all” (Cummings which affects individuals’ imaginings of their 2006, 184, via Olcott 2010, 61). Here, we see personal future” (Laszczkowski 2011, 82). how the state is expressing that Kazakh iden- Thus, Astana offered Kazakh citizens an tity must exist as primary within Kazakhstan, ideology to which they can ascribe themselves but also in a way that is inclusive to other eth- to and become a part of. By offering a new nic groups as Kazakhstani citizens. Meanwhile, market-based ideology to replace the evapo- the state has explicitly sought to position rated Soviet ideology, the Astana project Kazakh culture as primary, and itself as the offered both individual citizens and society at authority on Kazakh culture through numerous large a new mindset for their efforts and aspi- allusions to nomadic heritage (Köppen 2013, rations, which would thus repair the broken 594). social cohesion that came with the collapse of The move to Astana is meant to further rein- the USSR. force the Kazakh position of sovereignty over the territory of Kazakhstan while reifying (B) Creating a New Present Kazakh civic identity and the idea of Kazakhstan as a modern Kazakhstani nation. Foundation Kazakhstan, along with other central Asian (i) Internal Legitimization. The Kazakh govern- states has sought to build their legitimacy ment has sought to build its legitimacy by through the construction of symbolic para- positioning the state as the authority of Kazakh digms through which both individuals and identity through espousing a civic and national communities are able to situate and cultivate Kazakhstani identity while maintaining the their conceptions of belonging and destiny primacy of Kazakh culture (Cummings 2006, (Diener 2002, 633). Indeed, the building of 177). Simultaneously, the Kazakh state has Astana as a specifically Kazakh place accom- been balancing its primary Kazakh national plishes precisely this. Astana was thus built as identity within the larger identity of Eurasian- a “national” city to fulfill this symbolic func- ism and shared Turkic culture (Köppen 2013, tion (Yacher 2011, 1004). 593). First, I will focus on the role of Kazakh identity, before expanding to the larger umbrel- (ii) External Legitimization. While Astana is a las later in this paper. site to internally to legitimize the Kazakh state, Kazakhstan recognizes that no other nation the Astana project is also part of a process of is uniquely Kazakh and see itself as having an external legitimization to the international obligation to Kazakh identity that no other community. Astana seeks to position Kazakh- state has. It has sought to balance an assertion stan as an advanced and developed state and a of Kazakh identity with the multi-cultural real- good place for business and investment. Astana ity of the state’s ethnic makeup, especially was specifically designed to display the fluid given the fact that Kazakhstan was less than and organic nature of Kazakhstan’s market majority Kazakh at the break-up of the Soviet economy and reflect its economic openness to Union and only passed this mark by 1999 international investors (Anacker 2004, 519). when the Kazakh ethnic population reached President Nazarbayev has also been travel- 53% (Diener 2002, 640). Nevertheless, ing enormously and been meeting with many Kazakhstan has continued to assert its Kazakh foreign dignitaries, further strengthening and identity above all others stating in 1996: promoting Kazakhstan’s image worldwide “Kazakhstan is the ethnic centre of Kazakhs; (Cummings 2006, 193). The image and design 122 World Futures Review 14(2-4) of Astana was intended to be one which would seeking to build a career have flocked to place Kazakhstan as a legitimate member of Astana while income levels for many the international community (Cummings 2006, Kazakhstanis have improved significantly 193). It was for these reasons that the design (Yacher 2011, 1015). plan of Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa Important of course to Kazakhstan’s eco- were selected in the international competition nomic progress is the oil and gas industry. The for the design of Astana (Anacker 2004, 519). state-owned oil company KazMunaiGas is a The designers of Astana sought to create a site of enormous enrichment for the Kazakh “trans-national capitalist aesthetic” such that, state and for Nazarbayev and the elite person- in the words of the Astana Mayor, every for- ally (Koch 2010, 5). Indeed, the headquarters eign visitor should be able to see “his own of KazMunaiGas feature prominently on the native city” in Astana (Anacker 2004, 519). Left Bank of Astana, reflecting the close rela- Indeed, the goal of the city planners was to tionship of the Kazakh Government and oil, as convince foreign investors that Astana was on well as the importance of oil for Kazakhstan’s its way to becoming a global city (Anacker future. 2004, 520). Thus, by building Astana in a style Indeed, the Kazakh state sees its role as that reflected international capitalism and managing society via incentives and regula- development, Astana (and Kazakhstan with it) tions that promote market competition in a seeks to show itself off to the world as a con- generally neo-liberal form, although defined as temporary and international place. In this way, a specific “Kazakhstani Path” (Adams and Kazakhstan better positions itself to gain Rustemova 2009, 1250, 1256; Koch 2010, 5). greater respect from other nations and markets The state seeks to create the economic condi- itself as a legitimate member of the interna- tions for job creation while balancing social tional community. issues such as unemployment; simultaneously using its economic growth and integration into the global economy as a measure of its own (C) Future Strategy and Goals success and self-justification of rule (Adams (i) Kazakhstan 2030 and 2050. The govern- and Rustemova 2009, 1251; Cummings 2006, ment of Kazakhstan has been promoting eco- 186). In this way, Kazakhstan’s economic nomic development of the country through progress and fulfillment of Kazakhstan’s 2030 market competition. The state is pushing to and 2050 vision is both a form of internal and make Kazakhstan more competitive in the external legitimacy. global market, and this includes encouraging Internally, the creation of economic oppor- citizens to pursue greater entrepreneurship and tunity and jobs strengthens legitimacy among create economic growth (Adams and Ruste- citizens. Externally, the positioning of mova 2009, 1250). The government has been Kazakhstan as a prosperous developed nation, pursuing growth via two programs dedicated integrated into the global economy further to “prosperity, security, and the improvement strengthens Kazakhstan’s position worldwide. of living conditions for all Kazakhstanis” in Kazakhstan 2030 and Kazakhstan 2050 (ii) Eurasianism. Astana positions itself not (Adams and Rustemova 2009, 1253). only as an exclusively Kazakh capital or as a Astana was a vital aspect of the Kazakhstan capital city on par with other capitals—Astana 2030 and 2050 economic projects. The new also specifically positions itself as a Eurasian city has created thousands of jobs for both pro- place. Until this point, I have focused on how fessionals and migrant workers. Although Astana exists as a Kazakh place primarily, Kazakhstan suffered economic hardship after while at the same time, however, the design of the break-up of the Soviet Union, since the the capital has intentionally been setting up millennium the economic situation has Astana as a concurrently Eurasian place. (In improved. Within Astana, the quality of life this case, Eurasian meaning a hybrid European has risen substantially and young professionals and Asian place). This rhetoric is both a part of Krauss 123 Nazarbayev’s effort to promote internal cohe- of Turkic, European, and Asiatic nations. sion among different ethnic groups within the Considering that Astana exists at the center of country, but to also go beyond its borders and Kazakhstan, this enables Astana to be a simul- position Kazakhstan internationally as the taneous Kazakhstani and Eurasian place. crossroads of Europe and Asia (Schatz 2004, We can see further that the Eurasian concept 130). Astana affirms that Russian, Ukranians, built into Astana allows the flexibility to main- Kazakhs, etc., were all Eurasian peoples who tain Kazakh culture as primary in order to reify had mixed in Kazakhstan, located at the heart the cultural paradigms of the state, while open- of Eurasia. By leveraging this via Eurasian ing up another door to multi-culturalism. rhetoric and symbology in the design, Astana Although Kazakhstan was just over majority could create a level of inclusion for other eth- Kazakh, Nazarbayev understood that there nic groups within Kazakhstan while continu- needed to be social cohesion by giving space ing to highlight Kazakh culture as primary. for other ethnic groups under the umbrella of a More than just creating Astana as a Eurasian Kazakh but multi-ethnic state. In his Kazakhstan place, Nazarbayev has also made note of 2050 speech in December 2012, Nazarbayev Kazakhs as a Turkic people who share a Turkic explained his goal in balancing this as follows, heritage with many of their Central Asian “We have worked to restore our historic Kazakh neighbors (Schatz 2004, 130). Thus, Astana culture and language after many years of has added greater layers of belonging to which decline. Besides our ethnic, cultural and reli- all peoples of Kazakhstan can feel a part of. gious diversity, we have maintained peace and In summary, the Kazakh culture and ethnic- stability in our country. Kazakhstan is home to ity is unique to Kazakhs, all Kazakhstani citi- over 140 ethnic and 17 religious groups. Civil zens are Eurasian peoples and some share peace and inter-ethnic harmony remains a key Turkic heritage (e.g., Uzbeks). Therefore, via value for us. Peace and accord, intercultural the idea of Eurasianism Astana’s design was and inter-religious dialogue in our multi-ethnic able to put both Kazakhs at the forefront, while country has been recognized as a global model” simultaneously creating space for other eth- (Nazarbayev 2012). This quote clearly illus- nicities within Kazakhstan relative to the trates Nazarbayev’s belief that considering the Kazakhs. multi-ethnic demographics of the state, there By positioning Astana in the center of was a dual need to restore Kazakh culture, Kazakhstan, and asserting that it is also the something which no other nation would do, center of Eurasia Nazarbayev was strategically while building a harmonious multi-ethnic positioning Astana within the Eurasian con- model for the continued peace and prosperity cept. As he explained, the “Eurasian idea” of the nation. grew naturally from: “[Kazakhstan’s] geo- Through Astana’s design, Nazarbayev was graphic position at the crossroads in the seeking to harmonize these two potentially Eurasian region.... our ancestors as a part of opposing forces. When we add in the interna- a united family of Turkic peoples used this tional layer, we can deduce that Nazarbayev important strategic factor to their advantage: may also believe that a global perception of along the legendary Silk Route a wide trading Kazakhstan as a harmonious, multi-ethnic corridor between European and Asiatic coun- state would be positive for the external legiti- tries was organized. Today, we are beginning macy and position of the country on the world to restore it in cooperation with other countries stage. of our region and with the support of the world Reflecting this Eurasian concept, many of community.” (Nazarbayev from Schatz 2004, the buildings in Astana have been materialized 130). In this quote, we see Nazarbayev linking in a way which highlights a Eurasian architec- all these elements to display his concept of tural style, specifically the KazMunaiGas Eurasianism. Nazarbayev implies the physical building and several ministry buildings. They location of Kazakh territory between Europe combine shiny glass facades with features such and Asia, positions Kazakhstan as a crossroads as domes or arches, evocative of the Eurasian 124 World Futures Review 14(2-4) style (Koch 2013, 10). Thus, the ideology of the state in its own ability to impose order. Eurasianism—Kazakhstan as a bridge of East Astana fits perfectly within this mold as a and West and crossroads of the world—has grand display of the imposition of a particular been successfully translated from the design order on the Left Bank for all of Kazakhstan. strategy into the aesthetic interface of Astana. However, as Koch points out “the central irony of the modernist ‘order’... is that it is (iii) Development. By presenting Astana as a nothing of the sort: it is merely an appearance developed place several important goals are [of order]” (Koch 2010, 4). accomplished at once. Astana is meant to dis- With this in mind, when viewing Astana, it play and define Kazakhstan as a modern and is crucial to consider not only the physical developed country, and thus put it at par with characteristics of the space—but the way in the other countries of the world as an integral which the design strategy imposes order and member of the international economic order. ideology is on citizens. By building physical For the populace, the goal of Astana is to not structures in Astana with a design strategy just display development but to create a nor- inclusive of the strategic concepts discussed malizing space in which people can enact the above, the Astana project leveraged the appear- behaviors associated with a developed ance of order for the purposes of creating country. actual order. Astana seeks to replace Soviet Communist From this we observe how the design not only ideology with the ideology of capitalist devel- reflects the ideologies, histories, and economic oped societies. Coupling Kazakhstan as both a modes discussed above (Astana’s concept) but Kazakh nation and a developed country also also acts as a force to enact them onto the popu- gives space for non-Kazakhs to find a place lace. Through the design strategy and material- within this ideology of modernity and progress ization of these concepts as discussed below, (Koch 2010, 2). As discussed above, after the Astana is able to implement a vision of the future break-up of the Soviet Union people in and shape the conversation of the Kazakh nation Kazakhstan were in need of a new ideology to state and its politico-ideological order. which they could strive towards; in a sense similar to the way communism provided clear norms of behavior, capitalist modes of eco- Materialization nomic activity—such as entrepreneurship and I will now examine three prominent structures consumerism—could provide this as both an framing the Left Bank in Astana. From East to economic choice as well as a way of being. West, the structures include the following: The As also mentioned above, the Astana proj- Palace of Peace and Accord (commonly known ect sought to enact an internationalist capitalist as “The Pyramid”), Baiterek in the Center, and development model while maintaining Kazakh The Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center. All characteristics. With this in mind, the aesthet- three were designed by British architecture ics in Astana offer a particular version of their firm Foster + Partners led by Norman Foster. own form of development. Koch adds that the Together, they are the most prominent struc- tropes of modernity and development are usu- tures of Astana. By examining the function and ally set in opposition to the traditional or back- aesthetics of each, I hope to unpack and dis- ward. Indeed, we see that in Kazakhstan play how the design strategy layers and Astana is presenting a particular future-ori- imposes the multiplicity of relationships shap- ented utopian vision of modernity and devel- ing Astana and with it the people of Kazakhstan. opment through Astana in a particularly Kazakh form (Koch 2010, 3). (i) The Palace of Peace and Accord. The Palace of Peace and Accord, also translated as the Pal- iv. The Modern Nation State. The modern ace of Peace and Harmony or The Palace of nation state of a developed nation includes a Peace and Reconciliation, is a pyramid-shaped particular relationship to space and a belief of building located on the East end of the Left Krauss 125 Bank area. The building was built for the pur- also serves as the premises for the Assembly of poses of hosting the Congress of World and Kazakhstan’s People and all the ethnic and Traditional Religions, a conference conceived cultural centres of the country.” (Mami, 2014) and led by President Nazarbayev. The confer- ence hosts leaders of the world’s prominent In this quote we can identify many elements religious denominations with the goal of pro- of the layers of Astana and The Pyramid Mami moting understanding, equality, and reducing alludes to. He speaks of how “if the Palace of violence (Foster + Partners 2006). While Peace and Harmony is the symbol of Astana’s addressing the first congress, President Naz- inter-religious forum, then the entire architec- arbayev shared his intention to construct a pal- ture of Astana gives some insight into the phi- ace that would accommodate a mosque, a losophy of our country’s development and the church, a synagogue and a Buddhist temple. ideological directions of our nation” referenc- The Palace of Peace and Harmony was ing the role of the Pyramid within the greater commissioned ahead of the second congress, design strategy of Astana. Nazarbayev consid- which took place in Astana on September 12– ers the pyramid as a place of rising aspirations 13, 2006 (Mami). The aesthetic construction of meeting the sky. Indeed, we can surely see this the pyramid is a multi-layered space incorpo- as representing Kazakhstan’s aspirations itself rating international and domestic ideals of to rise and to meet the rest of the world at the Kazakhstan, Kazakh mythology, Kazakh his- sky. Also, it is essential to note that the sky is tory, and inter-ethnic and inter-religious peace an important aspect of Kazakh culture symbol- both within the country and worldwide. The izing the unity of all peoples along with purity following quote by Head of the Secretariat of and pure thoughts. Indeed, this matches nicely the Congress and Chairman of the Senate of to a conference of world religious leaders Kazakhstan’s Parliament Kairat Mamin pro- working toward world peace. This underscores vides an introduction into the layers of what further Kazakhstan’s goal to position itself as the Pyramid symbolizes: an international player and increase its interna- tional legitimacy. “[Nazarbayev] said that people in their childhood While the Palace is used as a gathering want to grasp everything and their aspiration is place of world religions, the Palace is used as big as the foundation of a pyramid. As a simultaneously to promote inter-ethnic and pyramid grows, it becomes thinner and slimmer, inter-religious harmony within Kazakhstan. the same way a person’s aspirations narrow as he By creating a building that is a meeting place grows, since he takes with him only those things of peace for all people within Kazakhstan and that he actually needs. At the end of one’s life path, a person is left one-on-one with the endless around the world, we see the Palace’s intention sky, as at the tip of a pyramid.... the president to increase and underscore Kazakhstan’s inter- also recalls Akbar, the Mogol shahinshah, who nal and external legitimacy. in 1575 built the famous Ibadatkhana, where At the same time, Nazarbayev refers to the representatives of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Pyramid within Kazakhstan’s past which was a Jainism and other religions could gather and talk similar gathering place of different religious to each other. The Congress of Leaders of World leaders in 1575. Considering the allusion to the and Traditional Religions entered the global past and the highly futuristic style of the building, stage in Astana and here it embarked on its noble the Palace is also able to bridge the past, present mission. If the Palace of Peace and Harmony is and future while underscoring Kazakhstan’s the symbol of Astana’s inter-religious forum, place within it as an international leader and then the entire architecture of Astana gives some insight into the philosophy of our country’s crossroads of the world’s peoples. development and the ideological directions of In this way, we can understand the Pyramid as our nation. The Palace of Peace and Harmony laying the right foundation for the vision of the nowadays is not only the venue for the Congress future of the country. The Palace is an interna- of Traditional Religions, but also a place for tional building, but also a specifically Kazakh one domestic and international events. The palace at the same time. Through the materialization, it 126 World Futures Review 14(2-4) provides a design strategy for the sustained eth- While the city of Astana creates jobs, Khan nic harmony Nazarbayev sees as key to the Shatyr offers the pinnacle of a place for people future prosperity of the nation. Further, through to act, be, and be seen as consumers through the symbolism taken from the ancient pyramids engaging in behaviors normally associated of Egypt, it is clear that the Pyramid is speaking with a capitalist shopping mall. In this way, to a longstanding and ongoing Kazakh claim to Khan Shatyr operates as a space of gazing and the area. Wrapped into its aspects of Kazakh normalizing behavior in order to aid the soci- identity, it speaks to something fundamental to ety to develop values associated with a mod- all peoples—social harmony—a universaliz- ern, cosmopolitan and developed society. This able and eternal value the Palace is establishing self-normalization through being visible and going forward into a long future. Therefore, seen is familiar to the former Soviet citizens beyond the physical structure, it is the specific who lived under the surveillance state of the materialization of design strategy into the aes- USSR. However, in Astana and at Khan Shatyr, thetics of the Pyramid that contain these layers the surveillance and normalization of behav- of politics, ideals, and symbolism evident in iors is rearranged to match the norms of a capi- Kazakhstan. talist, consumerist economic and social order rather than a socialist one (Koch 2013, 15). (ii) Khan Shatyr. Khan Shatyr is another futur- This is reinforced by the unofficial dress codes istic glass structure built as the largest tent in and high prices that exclude many lower- the world. It contains international shops and income individuals from participating in the even an indoor beach—astounding consider- consumer fantasy (Koch 2013, 15). ing Astana’s harsh cold winter temperatures. On the other hand, the government of The building is located at the westernmost Kazakhstan also leverages design strategy to point of Nurzhol boulevard, visible through position Khan Shatyr as an aspirational space the archway of the KazMunaiGas headquar- for all through its futuristic construction. By ters. Indeed, the architectural aesthetics seem creating a future consumer utopia in the pres- to literally indicate that oil is the gateway to ent, the state makes it easier for Kazakh citi- Kazakhstan’s prosperity. Built as a tent, the zens to imagine what their futures could look building can also represent a giant yurt—in like and gives them a tangible vision to strive fact the biggest yurt in the world. The building toward. of the largest yurt in the world can be seen as a response to past accusations that nomads were (iii) Baiterek. Baiterek tower stands 105m tall backward people, lacking any permanent in the center of Astana and the center of structures displaying their culture. Kazakhstan. One of the first towers completed Thus, by commissioning the largest perma- in Astana, it is formed by white latticing jutting nent yurt Nazarbayev responds to this criticism out at the top holding a large golden sphere. with a strong display of pride in Kazakh past. The Baiterek tower is the most important The Khan Shatyr entertainment center also structure in Astana and all Kazakhstan. It is represents the pinnacle of consumerism in featured on the back of all denominations of Astana. If Astana is a place of striving towards Kazakh currency. In this section, I devote the future, Khan Shatyr represents the ultimate further attention to analyzing the multi-layer- place one can strive towards as a consumer and ing of the meaning of the Baiterek tower and an economically engaged individual. Indeed, what it can tell us about design and politics in Nazarbayev seems to understand that in order Kazakhstan. to ask the Kazakh people to strive towards the future, they need a place to strive to. Astana in Kazakh Culture and Mythology itself plays this role representing the future totality of a prosperous and harmonious The Baiterek tower is based on a Turkic myth Kazakhstan, but at Khan Shatyr the focus is on prominent in Central Asian culture. According the dream of a consumer paradise associated to the legend, the bird Samruk lays its golden with capitalist economics. egg in the tree Baiterek every year. Samruk’s Krauss 127 egg represents the Sun, the giver of all life, as nation-state of Kazakhstan is governing by and well as fertility. With its egg the next Kazakh displays a notable departure from Soviet gov- generation is born (Laszczkowski 2011, 80). ernance. Although almost certainly uninten- However, a dangerous dragon once sought to tional, I believe that there are several key destroy the egg and with it the entire Kazakh parallels between Baiterek and the metaphor of generation. The egg however was protected by the Panopticon described by Foucault (1995). the fearless warrior, Jerostyk, who slayed the According to Foucault, power is exercised in dragon and thus saved the egg and the Kazakh the modern age through what he calls “Bio- generation (Köppen 2013, 599). Thus, it is power.” Foucault contrasts this with liberal clear how Baiterek—the most futuristic and theory which is concerned with which acts monumental building in Astana—roots itself ought to be permitted and prohibited (Tadros deeply in the Kazakh past and mythology 1998, 77). Bio-power on the other hand has while simultaneously reaching into the future. two poles: discipline and governmentality In this sense, Baiterek can be seen as a build- (Tadros 1998, 78). To further understand what ing that transcends time—one that speaks and Foucault means by discipline, we can look to declares the permanent glory of Kazakhstan his seminal work Discipline and Punish (1995) and Kazakh culture, today and tomorrow. where he tracks the development of the mod- We must also consider the importance of ern penitentiary as the means through which to genealogy in Kazakh culture. Kazakh geneal- describe how the exercise of power developed. ogy is considered the basis of Kazakh identity Foucault lays out the positive historical devel- (Esenova 2002, 21). All Kazakhs traditionally opment where the focus of power and control memorized and could recite orally their previ- moved from the body to the soul (Foucault ous seven generations. This information was 1995, 16). Relevant to this, Foucault describes used to identify oneself as Kazakh, to discover how Governments have become less interested kinship links, and to avoid marriages between in transgressive acts, and more interested in the relatives (Esenova 2002, 18). At the beginning direction of the lives of individuals, groups, of the twentieth century, in fear of Russian and the population as a whole (Tadros 1998, colonization, a genealogical register of all 102). We can see this expressing itself already Kazakh generations called Shezhyre was cre- through Astana’s largely optimistic vision for ated to secure and safeguard this important the wellbeing of citizens through the vision for aspect of Kazakh history and identity (Esenova the population described above—and notably 2002, 12). Today, following Shezhyre and in Khan Shatyr and the Palace of Peace and Sovietization it is even more so through gene- Accord. alogy that Kazakhs are linked to each other. Continuing through this perspective of see- The emphasis on genealogy also implies that ing the desire of the Kazakh government to Kazakhs are related to other Turkic peoples, exhibit more modern forms of governance, who are in turn related to other peoples, and Baiterek plays a key role in this model. who are ultimately related to all peoples of the Baiterek parallels a central metaphor in world going back to Noah (Esenova 2002, 17). Foucault’s description in the positive changes Therefore, when considering the importance of of the exercise of power. We can see Baiterek genealogy in Kazakh culture, Baiterek, as a tower as matching the central inspection tower monument to Kazakh genealogy through the in Jeremy Bentham’s modern design for the myth of Samruk, becomes all the more impor- penitentiary (Foucault 1995). Bentham, wish- tant. Baiterek becomes not only the physical ing to create a departure from past forms, center of Astana but also represents the origin designed a circular penitentiary with a central and genealogical locus of all Kazakh people. inspection tower in the middle called the Panopticon. Each cell was backlit with natural light, allowing a better environment for the As a Symbol of Modern Governance occupant and a clear view of all from the cen- Baiterek is also a powerful symbol of the ter. Foucault describes how this visibility inno- updated modes of governance the modern vated the exercise of power to be one of 128 World Futures Review 14(2-4) surveillance and conditioning of the soul Thus, when we consider Astana’s location (Foucault 1995, 200). in the center of the country and with it Baiterek Baiterek stands tall in the center of Astana at the center of Astana, Baiterek tower can be and the center of Kazakhstan, looking over seen as watching over all the territorial sover- everything in all directions. This positioning eignty of Kazakhstan (Wolfel 2002, 486). matches the model of the panopticon with a Unlike the pyramid-shaped Palace of Peace single tower at center. In Bentham’s design, all and Accord and the yurt-shaped Khan Shatyr, occupants are viewable from this central Baiterek offers a uniquely Kazakh and futuris- point—and equally, all occupants are aware of tic symbol. Baiterek represents the locus of all their own permanent visibility at all times. of Astana’s values of progress, national cohe- Foucault argues that through observation the sion, and a bright future (Laszczkowski 2011, surveilled adopt the appropriate modes of 80). behavior and are controlled and normalized Given its positioning and normalizing role, (Foucault 1995). One of the key innovations of by looking towards Baiterek, Kazakh society this mode of the exercise of power was that the will internalize the future of Kazakhstan as a surveilled would self-adopt to the appropriate developed state where individuals must collec- modes of behavior due to the knowledge they tively adapt the behavior involved in achieving are being observed. this. Kazakhstani citizens should know they We can see this exercise of power playing are being observed by the values that Baiterek itself in the design strategy of Baiterek where espouses and therefore normalize themselves the inspection tower at the center of the panop- into the appropriate modes of behavior that ticon parallels the inspection room at the top of will realize the preferred futures laid out in the Baiterek’s tower form. Therefore, I believe we vision for the country. The fact that Baiterek is can more closely consider the incredible role featured on every denomination of Kazakh Baiterek plays in normalizing Kazakh soci- currency further highlights the intimate con- ety’s behavior. nection between Baiterek and the goals of I will describe two ways Baiterek can be progress, development and the modernization considered a place of surveillance akin to the of Kazakhstan. Baiterek, therefore, serves as inspection tower in the panopticon. Firstly, we an object of surveillance normalizing individu- can consider Baiterek as an object watching als to act according to the behaviors the state over the North and all the territory of seeks citizens to adopt. Kazakhstan—dissuading Russians and other Baiterek as a form of surveillance offers a groups from seceding and projecting Kazakh uniquely optimistic and positive vision for the sovereignty internationally. Secondly, and country’s future. It seeks to condition through most importantly, Baiterek also asks all Kazakh surveillance but also inspiration. Baiterek rep- citizens to act and adopt modes of behavior in resents the pinnacle of the dreams of order to become the kind of modern citizens Kazakhstan of progress and a bright future. associated with a developed nation. This aspect is also embedded quite literally As discussed earlier in this paper, there is a into Baiterek. Unlike the exclusive space of large Russian population in the North of Bentham’s panopticon, the observation room Kazakhstan that poses a threat to the territorial at the top of Baiterek is open to the public and sovereignty of Kazakhstan. A significant rea- there one can look out over all of Astana, and son for the move of the capital to the former with it, all of Kazakhstan. The view one sees is Tselinograd, now Astana, was to reassert hued with a gold tint due to the reflective gold Kazakh claims to this territory. Considering material surrounding the observation room on Baiterek’s association with the myth of the outside. Thus, when entering Baiterek what Samruk, the tower further underscores and does one see? One views the golden vision of reminds the multi-ethnic population that the future for the nation of Kazakhstan and its Kazakhstan is the Land of Kazakhs. society. Krauss 129 Therefore, we can see that the design strat- concepts were translated into the materialization egy of Baiterek epitomizes all the relationships stage. At the realization stage, we see how the and ideologies of Astana perpetrated by design outcomes are taking place on a societal President Nazarbayev and the vision for the plane. In other words, the process is one of future of Kazakhstan. Baiterek is a powerful Design & Society—where we witness the dance symbol of the greatness of Kazakh civilization of design shaping society, and then society shap- in the past, present, and future. It strengthens ing design. Through the process described and legitimizes Kazakh identity through its above, Astana leverages the modes in which association with urban space channels social processes and social Kazakh genealogy, symbolism and mythol- action through the political, economic, and ideo- ogy. The tower speaks to a break from Soviet logical modes it adopts and displays on a physi- models of governance to more modern ones. It cal and aesthetic level. The result of this is an object which guards the territorial integ- urbanization process is a changed consciousness rity of the nation. Baiterek projects a modern- of the urban inhabitants whereby their personal izing force over Kazakhstan that leads the way perceptions and aspirations are transformed towards its golden future. This is accomplished (Harvey 1989, 5–6 via Fauve 2015, 386). not only via its aesthetics. Instead we see how What happens on account of this transfor- Astana’s conception of the nation coupled with mation is that a feedback loop of change is its design strategy materialized Baiterek, ignited where as people absorb and are imbued which subsequently realizes itself as a power- with these new values and ideologies they then ful force actively shaping the society of start to self-propagate those ideals back into Kazakhstan. society. Laszczkowski (2011) brings an example where a regular citizen, Oraz, explained his Realization reasons for moving to Astana from the remote When we look back at the ambitious concept former kolkhoz village in which he grew up: for Astana we see the materialization of the “where I used to live, life used to be the least a Palace of Peace and Accord, Khan Shatyr and bit civilized. There were kolkhozes, back from Baiterek emerge as powerful forces to realize a the Soviet times... When the USSR col- new vision for Kazakhstan. Astana also lever- lapsed, nothing was left....Then I moved to aged design strategy to successfully material- Astana, the city, only then did I understand ize and realize the concepts of Motivators from what urban life was... high-rise houses, new the Past, Creating a New Present Foundation, architecture—this was attractive because you and Future Strategy. In doing so, Astana can see new things, your mind receives some- addresses Kazakhstan’s historical and future thing new, and you become a contemporary geopolitical position, reifies the government’s person” (Laszczkowski 2011, 87). In this internal and external legitimacy and lays out a quote, we see an incredible process take place. new vision, behaviors, and modes of produc- Oraz describes in a self-aware manner how by tion for the people of Kazakhstan. These ideas inhabiting the space of Astana, he in turn trans- no longer just existed as a concept, but through formed his behavior and adopted new modes their materialization at scale and in daily life and perspectives. Oraz witnessed the new spaces, they acted as the stage for ideas to be behaviors of the people around him self- propagated and imbued into the populace. In adopted and re-normalized. Which in turn per- other words, by materializing this brand-new petuates these behaviors back into the society city (one which people had incentives to of Astana and with it Kazakhstan. inhabit), Astana’s concepts became realized We can also witness the feedback loop in the into society through individuals’ daily life behavior of the Kazakh elites. By leveraging experiences. design, Nazarbayev was also able to transform The emphasis in this study is on the design the political elites within Kazakhstan to per- strategy via which the political and ideological petuate his vision. Fauve (2015) describes the 130 World Futures Review 14(2-4) creation of “an economy of symbolic goods It matters because a narrow focus on the that lie at the core of the Nazarbayev regime”— design problem at hand without considering whereby elites provoke sympathy with their the systematic relationships, ideologies, con- superiors through leveraging the creation of text and narratives it perpetuates will not be designed objects. In Fauve’s study, we witness able to catalyze long-term change. Without how elite behavior now includes the champion- taking these factors into consideration at best ing and creation of new monuments in Astana creators are perpetuating the current reality that align with Nazarbayev’s design strategy. and at worst are creating unintended negative Thus, we can see that Astana took advantage of consequences. It is my belief we are living in a feedback loops of change to create a shift on a time of large-scale problems where our inter- Design & Society level that resulted in both connected individual actions have a societal regular and elite Kazakhs adopting and self- effect now more than ever. Designers, policy- perpetuating new modes of behavior. makers, futurists, and business interests have The country-wide protests that took place in an incredible opportunity. By leveraging, Kazakhstan in January 2022 also exhibit the physical space and the internet design for complexity of the expectations set by the ideals change at a societal level is possible. By using of the capital, and their realization. The reasons a Design & Society approach, we can more for the protests are complex, and too recent at easily analyze how systems, economics, and the time of publication and beyond the scope of individual experience are actively shaping and this essay to untangle. However, the origins of being shaped in a way that adds up to collec- the protests around unaffordable liquified tive societal shifts. petroleum gas indicate that policy, the distribu- This paper offers further tools under the tion of income, and opportunity have not caught Design & Society umbrella for designers and up to the aspirations of the future Astana repre- other creators to understand and create impact at sents (Marat and Tutumlu, 2022). With a lode- scale. By understanding futures as a process of star vision of the future now in place in Astana, concept, materialization, and realization, cre- the challenge for Kazakhstan’s leadership will ators can better frame how ideas shape our be to match the inspiration and social recon- world and plan strategy to realize their concepts figuration now embodied in Kazakh Society. into the way we live day-to-day. Next, by lever- aging the feedback loop process behavioral shifts can be created and scaled organically. Conclusion This essay aims to make clear that design is It would appear that Kazakhstan, perhaps an active force operating on a societal, national, uniquely, has a more overt politico-design econ- and international level. The perspective that omy than any other nation. However, we can design is operating on aesthetic, purely sym- also apply this same framework to all societies bolic or “human-centered” level alone cannot whereby creation and production both reflects pass muster. By considering Astana and the and has the potential to shape the existing ide- Design & Society lens, creators can generate ologies, narratives, and economies from which deeper concepts, more thoughtful materializa- it was conceptualized. From this paper, I hope to tions and hopefully realize fundamental shifts make clear that an understanding of design as at scale that have the potential to move entire just aesthetics or merely symbolic is limited in societies and nations. true scope. Design is an active force shaping the social conditions and mindsets of all. Acknowledgments I also want to challenge the human-centered Special thank you to Alexandra Booth for her edits, design approach which bases itself in empha- feedback and support leading up to publication. I sizing an understanding of user-needs relevant am most grateful to Prof. Maria Popova, Yishi Pan, to the design problem. The human-centered Rachel MacKnight and my colleagues at McGill approach focuses on the micro while missing University for helping develop the first version of the macro. this paper in 2014. My sincere appreciation to Phil Krauss 131 Balagtas and Sami Niemelä for providing early Foucault, Michel. 1995. Discipline and Punish: The opportunities to share this work in 2019. Birth of the Prison. 2nd ed. New York: Vintage. 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