Bishkek, March 2025. Aibek Satenov, a lecturer at the Urban Planning Department of the Institute of Architecture and Design and an urban planner, represented the Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov at the national training “Foresight: Study of Future Prospects in Strategic Planning (Urban Studies)”. The training was organized by the National Institute for Strategic Initiatives under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic with the support of the United Nations Development Program in the Kyrgyz Republic and the research company “Empirica”.
The training program included three modules and was aimed at developing strategic thinking and mastering long-term forecasting practices in a rapidly changing urban environment. The training participants mastered the tools of trend analysis, scenario planning methods (including the Manoe school), as well as the development of “unthinkable” future prospects taking into account the effects of “black swans”.
The training was conducted by Elena Valentinovna Muzykina, PhD in Philosophy, Doctor of Islamic Studies, certified futurologist, international expert in the field of post-habitual politics and foresight studies. Under her guidance, the participants not only delved into the theoretical foundations of foresight, but also took part in practical assignments, case analysis, group work and the development of scenario models for urban development.
The participation of KSTU in such a program is a significant contribution to the development of academic competence in the field of urban planning forecasting. The knowledge and skills acquired will be integrated into the educational process, and also used in scientific and project initiatives of the university, including the development of concepts for sustainable territorial development.
The training participants included representatives of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic, key ministries, academic institutions and mayor's offices of the cities of Bishkek, Osh, Kant, Kara-Balta, Karakol. Upon completion of the training, the participants received personalized certificates. Based on the results of the program, a practical guide will be prepared on the application of foresight technologies in public administration, designed to scale up the best practices of strategic planning at the national level.
Link to news from the UNDP KR website: https://www.undp.org/ru/kyrgyzstan/press-releases/undp-introduces-innovative-forecasting-techniques-effective-urban-planning-kyrgyzstan
Link to news from the NISI website under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic: https://nisi.kg/archives/1325