The insolation paradox in Astana city development

Authors

  • Arslan Barakbayev The insolation paradox in Astana city development
  • Yelena Feoktistova D. Serikbaev East Kazakhstan Technical University
  • Nina Kriulko D. Serikbaev East Kazakhstan Technical University
  • Ainur Muldagaliyeva S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51461/issn.2309-3072/89.2846

Published

2026-09-14

Issue

No. 89 (2026): networks et cetera

Section

refereed articles

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Barakbayev, A., Feoktistova, Y., Kriulko, N., & Muldagaliyeva, A. (2026). The insolation paradox in Astana city development. Project Baikal, 23(89), 146-152. https://doi.org/10.51461/issn.2309-3072/89.2846

Keywords:

Soviet urban planning, insolation standards, compact city, urban morphology, energy efficiency, microclimatic comfort

Abstract

The article considers a conflict between Soviet-era insolation norms and compact city goals of Astana. This study compares two block typologies – a Soviet microdistrict and a Western perimeter block – through parametric simulation (EnergyPlus, CFD, Ladybug). Results show that insolation-driven morphology produces 24% higher heating demand, 44% lower land-use efficiency, and poor wind comfort. The paper argues for replacing prescriptive insolation requirements with performance-based metrics (sDA, EN 17037) to enable energy-efficient and highdensity development in cold climates.

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