“Arkadag” is a city, the administrative center of the Akhal velayat of Turkmenistan, a suburb of Ashgabat, classified as a city with the rights of an etrap.
The new city of Arkadag is located in a picturesque place on the foothills of the Kopetdag mountain range, surrounded by gardens and forest plantations, which favorably affects the ecological and climatic situation of the city. When choosing a construction site, many factors were taken into account, such as natural, climatic, seismic, the availability of engineering infrastructure, and others.
The presented projects of buildings and structures under construction and planned for construction, as well as the schemes of their locations, were prepared in accordance with the instruction of the head of state. The large-scale construction work that has unfolded here combines the principles of national architecture and best practices in urban planning.
The city of Arkadag occupies a total area of 1002 hectares and is designed for 64 thousand inhabitants. The construction of the city started 2 years ago. In total, 471 structures for various purposes will be built in the city, 368 of which are residential buildings. As part of the 1st stage, which is coming to an end, the construction of 336 structures is being completed, of which 258 are residential buildings. In the second stage, there will be 135 buildings in total, of which 110 are residential buildings.
The new administrative center of Akhal velayat will become a model in terms of both urban culture and ecology in order to preserve the natural beauty of the construction area. Here, as elsewhere, attention is paid to the implementation of the concept of a „smart” city. It should be noted that the concept of a „smart” city is based on the integration of advanced information and communication technologies, through which a single ecosystem is created that provides management of urban structures and services, improving the quality of life of the population.
In Arkadag city are being built the buildings of the city administration and public organizations, the flagpole, the Ahal monument, the Ahal equestrian circus, the Horse Breeding Research and Production Center, the Ruhyet Palace, the library, a drama theater, a museum, 6 different healthcare facilities, international higher educational institution of horse breeding, 4 secondary schools, 4 secondary vocational schools, 10 kindergartens, a multidisciplinary sports complex, a sports center and a stadium.
As part of the first stage are being built 258 two-, five-, seven- and nine-story residential buildings, 19 shops, 3 Houses of Life, a hotel, a shopping and entertainment center and a recreation area. At the second stage, it is planned to erect a complex of two-story residential buildings, park areas, lines of modern communication systems, as well as the introduction of software for the electronic transmission of traffic statistics.
IT solutions will be introduced in all educational institutions of the city, including an e-school system, an electronic library, and an online exam system.
Internal networks with a total length of 259 kilometers will be laid. An optical fiber network will be connected to each house and institution, which will allow simultaneous use of high-speed Internet, IP TV and telephone system.
In addition, in order to provide high-quality cellular services, a set of 4G devices was installed and put into operation, making it possible to use 3G and high-speed Internet.
An intelligent 24-hour video surveillance system will be installed to ensure security around residential buildings, institutions, on streets and roads, as well as accounting for the consumption of drinking water and natural gas.
One of the aspects that we pay attention to when talking about ecology in the city of Arkadag, Ahal velayat, is the road and utility infrastructure. During the construction of roads, equipment and materials are used that help the relevant services ensure safety, environmental friendliness and comfortable living.
The center will operate an Internet network and portals of various fields, which will ensure the availability of a modern communication system for everyone.
It is planned to launch electric buses and electric taxis on the territory of the new city. In this regard, in order to improve the efficiency of traffic lights and bus stops, a digital system will be introduced into their work. All this, providing a well-coordinated traffic, will provide high-quality services to residents of the city and its guests.
Even a partial transition to electric transport, together with the use of the Smart Traffic Light system, will allow drivers to reduce travel time and avoid traffic jams. The system allows to reduce the number of harmful substances emitted into the atmosphere, and will positively affect the ecological situation in the city.
To determine the direction of their movement, persons with visual impairment in the city of Arkadag, Akhal velayat, tactile ground indicators are installed on the sidewalks, which are one of the necessary means for their social and environmental adaptation. The total length of the tactile ground indicators installed on the sidewalks of roads and in park areas is about 130 km. It also provides for the installation of auxiliary technical means (pedestrian traffic lights) that will help people when crossing roads. The use of sound signals and tactile signs at pedestrian traffic lights significantly increase the ability of visually impaired people to move independently and safely in the city.
For active recreation of the city residents, it is planned to create a health park, which will include areas for active recreation and events, running and cycling paths, gazebos for recreation and board games. There will also be bike paths with a total length of more than 14 km in park areas in the city.
When illuminating roads, luminaires with diode lamps are used to save electricity. Speaking about the communal infrastructure of the administrative center of the Ahal velayat, one can single out a careful attitude to water resources. Storm water inlets are installed along all roads and a common collecting network is being built. Water is collected at the treatment plant, where it is cleaned of oil products and debris, after which it enters the settling tanks. A drainage system is also provided in the city to lower the groundwater level, which is also collected and fed into the settling tanks.
In the settling tanks, all the collected water is settled and prepared for reuse, namely for watering the green spaces of the city under construction. Thereby saving water resources.
In many buildings of the city of Arkadag, Akhal velayat are installed elevators for various purposes, the total number of which exceeds 1000 units. To ensure high-quality and high-tech maintenance of elevators, it is planned to create a centralized dispatching system for monitoring the operation of elevators. The elevators provide for the installation of an intercom system, through which the user can contact the dispatcher and report problems or call for help. Also, the dispatcher will be able, if necessary, to maintain a conversation with the passenger until the arrival of the appropriate service. Security and prevention of vandalism will be ensured by installed cameras in the elevator car and technical rooms.
For comfortable living of the population, as well as ensuring minimal damage and safety in new residential buildings in the city of Arkadag, Akhal velayat, a general control system is installed in each apartment, with the help of which each resident can control the condition of his apartment. The SMART HOUSE system allows a resident to remotely control the state of his apartment, thereby minimizing damage to himself and his neighbors.
Turkmenistan, having embarked on the path of progressive transformations, also aims to implement the concept of „smart” cities, the new administrative center of the Akhal velayat should become a role model, both in terms of a new urban culture and in terms of ecology.
Thus, in the near future, a modern city with all conditions for comfortable living will appear in the foothills of the Kopetdag, which will become another clear reflection of the progress of the Motherland, as well as a source of pride for the people of Turkmenistan. I am sure that in 2023, under the wise leadership of the President of the country, large-scale work will be carried out, grandiose projects aimed at the prosperity of the independent Motherland and the well-being of the people of Turkmenistan will be implemented.
