Oruntaev: Renovation in Kyrgyzstan is already underway; it needs to be enshrined in law

The renovation of the housing stock in Kyrgyzstan is already effectively underway, but this mechanism needs to be formalised at the legislative level. This view was expressed by the Minister for Construction, Architecture and Housing and Communal Services, Nurdán Oruntaev, as part of the ‘Open Cabinet’ project.

According to him, the state is already engaged in the partial renovation of dilapidated housing. Old buildings that do not meet modern safety requirements are gradually being replaced by new residential complexes.

“The state is already carrying out renovation. Dilapidated properties that do not meet the requirements are identified, demolished, and new residential complexes are built in their place. This is what renovation is”, — the minister noted.

Oruntaev believes that public debate on this issue is often overcomplicated. In his view, this is not about creating a fundamentally new mechanism, but about giving legal form to an existing practice.

The minister also commented separately on the fate of old buildings. He emphasised that not all Soviet-era buildings can be preserved. Whilst historically significant buildings need to be restored, many structures are in such a poor state of repair that restoration is impossible.

“Everything created by human hands ages over time. There are buildings that can be restored, and there are structures where the floors and framework can no longer bear the load. They become dangerous to people”, — he explained.

At the same time, the minister emphasised that historically valuable buildings must be preserved; however, decisions regarding each individual structure must be made on the basis of technical assessments by specialists.