"Urban Initiatives" is a non-governmental organization based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (est. 2014)
Public Foundation "Urban Initiatives" conducts research on urban environment, organizes seminars and discussions on the topics of urban development, supports civic initiatives and municipal entities in projects that upgrade public spaces and quality of life in their cities.
"We make liveable cities together".
Urban Initiatives' mission is to promote the ideas of citizens' participation in urban development in Kyrgyzstan.
We strive to:

>> promote inclusive and participatory approach to urban development projects, whether it is a community project or a state policy on urban planning,

>> enrich knowledge about urban processes and phenomena in the context of Kyrgyzstani and Central asian cities,

>> educate young professionals (architects, sociologists, anthropologists, designers, transport specialists, urban planning specialists and passionate activists),

>> strengthen peer networks of "shaarmans" (urban activists and practitioners).

We work as:

Think Tank. We have experience in policy oriented research & advocacy. Our research projects have been used by city officials, developers, universities, and NGOs. Our team members have participated in advocacy campaigns on Green Bishkek, Land Use Regulations, and Detailed Master Plan of Bishkek (2017-2018)..

Process Facilitators. We help small, local initiatives and large urban movements, helping them to organize communication within the community and with city officials and experts. We facilitate the process of participatory planning and stakeholder consultations in public space development/redesign initiatives. Our objective is to ensure inclusion of women, teenagers and vulnerable groups in public discussions of needs and solutions on different platforms.

Trainers and Course Designers. Equipped with knowledge on tactical urbanism, applied research and architecture, we develop and conduct courses, workshops and internship programs for urban activists and recent graduates from architecture, urban design and social sciences.


ONGOING PROJECTS
Inclusive Public Spaces — Fair Shared City

Participatory approach to upgrading public spaces of Bakai-Ata neighborhood (Bishkek).
Financial support: UN Habitat Global Public Space Program.
Applied education for architects, urban designers and urban planners
We are currently working on methodic materials about project development in architecture. We also produce our ow content about urbanism and placemaking in Kyrgyz language.
We are looking for partners to support new education programs and scale our internship program.
Green Bishkek

In partnership with ecoactivists — PF "Archa Initiative" and Move Green, we study city morphology, microclimate and quality of public spaces.
Want to join us? We are always open for new collaborations.
Drop us a line: project@urban.kg
PORTFOLIO: projects completed in 2014 — 2019
\ APPLIED RESEARCH AND PLACEMAKING PROJECTS
\\ CAPACITY BUILDING & EDUCATION
In 6 years, we designed and conducted more than 20 workshops, lectures and trainings on:

  • Prototyping
  • Placemaking and tactical interventions
  • Skills for urban researchers
  • Research Design
  • Sustainable architecture
  • Right to the city
  • Urban planning policy and best practices
\\\ DISCUSSION PLATFORMS & MEDIA CAMPAIGNS
Since 2013 PF Urban Initiatives has been organizing open discussion platforms on urban issues surrounding the Bishkek City such as Urban Talks, Bishkek Urban forum, Shaarkana. Additionally, our team members publish their analytical papers, media materials and blog posts in various media outlets in Central Asia and beyond.

We organized the following events:
Meet our team
  • Raushanna Sarkeyeva
    Board / Founder, Chairperson
  • Zarina Urmanbetova
    Board / Cofounder
  • Saikal Zhunushova
    Board / Cofounder
  • Saira Turdumambetova
    Staff / Project manager
  • Elina Samyibek kyzy
    Staff / Community manager
  • Olga Petrovskaya
    Staff / Accountant
Supervisory board
  • Tatiana Tretiakova
  • Atai Sadybakasov
  • Azhar Baisalova
© All Rights Reserved. "Urban initiatives" public fund
project@urban.kg