“This weekly review focuses on specific steps to address common urban issues such as housing affordability, long-term sustainability, and the impact of cultural and material innovations on urban formation.
The review includes legislative initiatives related to housing markets in European cities, projects for multi-story buildings and residential development in New York, as well as major reconstruction and urban planning plans in London, Barcelona, Ulaanbaatar, and Drammen. It also discusses research and implemented projects in Chicago, Buenos Aires, Las Vegas, and Riyadh, which concern cyclical construction, adaptive reuse, and new models for cultural and public infrastructure,” reports ArchDaily, a resource dedicated to architectural news.
These global initiatives provide insight into how architectural and urban solutions help address pressing issues while simultaneously laying the groundwork for a sustainable and inclusive urban future in various cultural and geographical contexts.
This news compilation examines new approaches to solving housing challenges in diverse urban settings, ranging from legislative frameworks to architectural and institutional solutions. In the context of increasing housing affordability, some European cities are introducing restrictions on short-term rentals, indicating a shift in political strategies aimed at protecting long-term housing stock.
In New York, new residential towers represent contrasting yet complementary solutions, including the nearly completed skyscraper 262 Fifth Avenue by Meganom and the Powerhouse Company project for a mixed-use residential complex that aims to combine housing affordability and social equity. In London, the Barbican Centre renewal program emphasizes the importance of long-term management and reinvestment in existing housing and cultural infrastructure to ensure comfortable living and sustainability.
As the year comes to a close, the focus on long-term urban sustainability concepts and the development of cultural infrastructure highlights how architecture, planning, and global dialogue can shape the cities of the future. The announcement of the program and list of speakers for the UIA World Congress of Architects 2026 in Barcelona places architecture at the center of international discussions on pressing urban and environmental issues.
At the territorial level, the master plan for the city of Khunnu in Mongolia demonstrates a strategic approach to long-term urban development aligned with national development goals for 2050, emphasizing sustainability and resilient growth.
The firm Bechu & Associés won the international competition to create the master plan for the new satellite city of Khunnu, which will be located south of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The winning project, announced in 2025, shapes a long-term urban planning concept for an area of 31,503 hectares near Chinggis Khaan International Airport, with phased development planned from 2025 to 2045.
New visualizations of the Arts Museum project in Las Vegas, designed by Kéré Architecture and SOM, show how cultural institutions can become long-term community centers. The completion of the House of Nassr sports complex by OODA in Saudi Arabia illustrates how large-scale cultural and recreational infrastructure can contribute to the formation of urban identity and enhance public life.
The firm Snøhetta won the competition for the best development project for the Skamarakken waterfront in Drammen, Norway.
Snøhetta emerged victorious in the competition to design the redevelopment of the Skamarakken area in Drammen, which is located on the site of an abandoned railway line along the Drammenselva River, north of the restored train station and new city bridge.
The project highlights the historical role of the river as a key element of Drammen, restoring ecological transformations and creating new spaces for recreation, public gatherings, and seasonal events.
Delegate Zholdoshbek Turdubayev, representing the Lenin district, noted that after the administrative-territorial reform, the territory of Bishkek has significantly expanded, which has increased the...
At a recent public hearing dedicated to the master plan for the development of Bishkek until 2050, emphasis was placed on the placement of medical facilities and the accessibility of emergency care....
Public discussions on the General Plan-2050 took place in Bishkek, where the document's developers answered questions from local residents. They explained the data underlying this strategic...
The IV People's Kurultai has started in Bishkek, with the participation of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov. The first day of the event took place on December 26....
On December 26, 2025, the Minister of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kanibek Dosmambetov, held a working meeting with representatives of organizations within the United Nations system. The main topic...
The amendments to legislative acts received approval from the ЖК Committee As part of the bill "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Kyrgyz Republic Regarding Taxation, Social...
In Kyrgyzstan, a temporary ban on the import of electronic cigarettes and liquids containing nicotine has been reintroduced. The decision was signed by the Chairman of the Cabinet, Adylbek...
The smog situation in Bishkek is one of the most pressing problems, especially during the winter period. In mid-December, the wind helped improve air quality in the capital. Factors Contributing to...
Deputy Dastan Bekeshev commented on the draft general plan for the development of Bishkek until 2050, pointing out potential difficulties in its implementation. He noted that, despite thorough...
At the meeting of the People's Kurultai, the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, emphasized that the time has come for the revival of the domestic film industry. He noted that creating...
The deputy also pointed out the high cost of apartments At a meeting of the Jogorku Kenesh, Deputy Gulya Kozhokulova emphasized the need for the development of mortgage housing specifically in the...
On December 24, at a meeting of the Jogorku Kenesh, the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Adylbek Kasymaliev, reported on the ongoing implementation of large-scale projects in the field of...
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has made a decision to reorganize state universities that are part of the system of professional higher education. According to the new decree, Batken, Talas,...
As part of the discussion on the general plan for the capital Bishkek, Vice Mayor Azamat Kadyrov reported that the completion of the eastern bypass road is expected within one to two years....
Kasymaiev emphasized that the quality and balance of the General Plan are crucial for the sustainable development of the city, ensuring the comfort and safety of residents, effective resource...
The Cabinet of Ministers confirmed that all questions and proposals voiced by the delegates will be considered According to the press service of the president, 690 delegates participated in the IV...
In Kyrgyzstan, new regulations regarding the remuneration of employees involved in donor projects funded by international financial organizations have been approved. This decision aims to improve the...
- In order to ensure the necessary thermal load in Bishkek, the city's master plan proposes the modernization of CHPP-1, the completion of the construction of CHPP-2, and the creation of eight...
- As stated in the master plan, by the beginning of 2025, this indicator will reach 14 square meters per person. According to the document, by 2050, the construction of 24,804 thousand square meters...
In his speech, he emphasized that the president had previously raised issues related to violence and traffic accidents. Momunaliev believes that a ban on the sale of vodka could be one of the...
- The total area of Bishkek is 41,081.3 hectares, of which 31% is in private hands, as reported by Irina Grishechkina, Deputy Director for Project Issues at the Institute of Urban Planning, during...
According to Kasymaliev, tourism in Kyrgyzstan is showing rapid development and is becoming an important sector of the economy. As part of an ambitious investment project, the construction of the...
At the recent People's Kurultai, President Sadyr Japarov emphasized that Kyrgyzstan, possessing significant water resources, bears a special responsibility for their protection. However, he...
During his speech, Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu discussed the work of the new VIII convocation of the Jogorku Kenesh, emphasizing that the elected deputies have identified legislative support for the...
The IV People's Kurultai, attended by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, has concluded its work in Bishkek. The event took place on December 25 and 26 at the T. Satylganov...
Jeenbek Kulubaev, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, held a meeting with delegates of the IV People's Kurultai. The event was attended by 30 representatives of diaspora...
On December 16, the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, signed a decree introducing temporary control over land relations for a period of one year. This decision is aimed at completing the...
The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan, with the support of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), organized a roundtable on December 22 dedicated to the development of digital financial technologies...
During the discussion of the Bishkek master plan project until 2050, deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh discussed important aspects of the city's future. Dastan Bekeshev, a member of parliament,...
The State Mortgage Company is constructing elite multi-apartment buildings in the southern part of the capital. This was announced at the Kurultai by the President of the country, Sadyr Japarov. Some...
According to Nokia, issues related to internet infrastructure concern not only latency and speed but also questions of digital sovereignty. In Europe, 86% of companies express doubts about the...
The award ceremony of the National Film Prize "Ak Ilbirs" will take place on December 30, 2025, at 16:00 in the Kyrgyz National Opera and Ballet Theater named after A. Maldybaev. This event...
The initiative is aimed at the citizens of the country In 2026, new tariffs for domestic air transportation will be established in Kyrgyzstan, which will be lower than market prices. This was...
International media and news agencies have reported on events in Ukraine and around the world occurring against the backdrop of military actions in the country. This overview briefly highlights the...
The Office of the President of Kyrgyzstan has approved new standards for public services, signed by Kanbek Tumanbaev. As part of the document, nearly 30 types of services have been defined, available...
Starting from January 1, 2026, a new testing format for migrants related to the assessment of their knowledge of the Russian language will come into effect in Russia. The testing will be conducted on...
Public hearings continue in the capital of Kyrgyzstan regarding the General Plan for the city's development, which is to be implemented by 2050. The meeting took place on December 25 at the...
The project was initiated by Mayor Jenishbek Toktorbaev The installation of solar panels on the roof of the mayor's office in Osh marks a new step towards an eco-friendly future. This is...
According to information published in The Wall Street Journal, the United States has offered Ukraine new security guarantees as part of efforts to advance peace negotiations. American officials...
15.5 billion soms were allocated for their construction and repair According to information provided by the press service of the Ministry of Construction, Architecture, and Housing and Communal...
Scientific research shows that emotions are not universal and can vary greatly depending on context. Rob Boddice, working at the Centre of Excellence in the History of Experience at Tampere...
During a visit to key enterprises of North Korea's military-industrial complex, Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of increasing the production of missiles and ammunition. This was reported...
During the study, the DNA of more than six million people was analyzed, among whom over a million had at least one mental disorder. According to the World Health Organization, more than a billion...
Musabay Momunaliev, a delegate of the People's Kurultai, has proposed a ban on the sale of alcohol in Kyrgyzstan. He noted that the president has raised issues related to violence and road...
In Bishkek, at the Toktogul Satylganov Kyrgyz National Philharmonic, the IV People's Kurultai is taking place with the participation of President Sadyr Japarov. There are 700 delegates from all...
From December 8 to 23, the first tour of the ballet troupe of the Kyrgyz National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet named after Abdylas Maldybaev took place in Spain, achieving great success....
Chatbots pose a particular threat, as their ability to generate their own responses may encourage users to question the authority of the party. In this context, new rules were introduced in November...
As of December 1, 2025, there is an increase in the activity of citizens contacting the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection, and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic. According to the information from...
