- Almaty and Bishkek are among the most air-polluted cities during the winter. The Asian Development Bank is funding real-time air quality sensors in both cities under the Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor to help improve the air quality.
- Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic are fighting air pollution in their biggest cities. In support, the Asian Development Bank is funding real-time air quality sensors in both cities under the Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor.
- Almaty and Bishkek are among the most air-polluted cities during the winter. To support these two cities’ efforts to improve air quality, the Asian Development Bank provided 100 air quality sensors under the Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor.
Almaty and Bishkek are among the most air-polluted cities during the winter. Both countries’ governments are planning to change that. The Asian Development Bank is funding real-time air quality sensors in both cities under the Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor. Based on sensor data, several projects are planned to improve the air quality.
Transcript
Azhar Baisalova
Project ManagerMoveGreen
Bishkek
During the heating period the air pollution is so high that when you look out of your window, all you see is grey air and faint outlines of buildings and trees, not to mention the mountains.
Saule Kassenova
Leading Consultant Pulmonologist
Research Institute of Cardiology and Internal Medicine
Almaty
In Almaty, we are basically in a pit, and we do not have enough air circulation. There are mountains all around. I would say that clean air is the basis of healthy breathing. If there is no clean air in the body, not only the lungs but all other organs can function only when there is enough oxygen.
Kristian Rosbach, Economist (Regional Cooperation)
Central and West Asia Department
Asian Development Bank
The Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor links people, businesses, and ideas across borders. As a strong supporter of the Corridor, the Asian Development Bank is funding real-time air quality sensors in both cities. The sensors are measuring air pollution, pinpointing where it occurs, quantifying improvements, and allowing for comparisons between the cities.
Bolat Amirgaliyev
Head of Environment Division
EcoAlmaty
Today we have 50 Clarity sensors in Almaty that provide us with online data on the type of particles and pollution in different parts of the city. Thanks to these sensors, we can plan environmental measures in Almaty.
Begaim Alipova
Head of Atmospheric Pollution Observation Division
Kyrgyzhydromet
In 2020, we installed 50 sensors in the city of Bishkek. Since the Clarity Node-S sensors installed in Bishkek are small, we installed them all over the city. We placed some of them near roads, some in residential areas, and some in social facilities. Thanks to the Global SIM Card which is incorporated in the sensors, we get the data directly to our system which allows us to visualize the data. The data is ready for analysis.
Jyrgalbek Shamyraliev
Vice-Mayor
Bishkek City Mayor’s Office
With this data, we already know that today the emissions from heating boilers play a major role in air pollution. There is also the effect of transport.
Ainash Akynovna
International Higher School of Medicine
Department of Public Health
Kyrgyz Republic
We are demonstrating in this picture that the summer period was below our national standard but in the winter season, it was above. It is not a good situation with air pollution.
Kristian Rosbach
Economist (Regional Cooperation)
Central and West Asia Department
Asian Development Bank
The communities in Almaty and Bishkek stand to gain from this project, and we believe that in the long run both cities will become cleaner and more attractive. Now it’s time to turn data into impactful change.
Azhar Baisalova
Project Manager, MoveGreen
Bishkek
When residents have access to information and they know what level of air pollution is today, yesterday, and tomorrow, it helps to raise the issue of environmental safety in the cities and demand some measures. Or to make some small decisions at a personal level, such as insulating your house, wearing a mask, or not burning leaves.
Miras Gaisin
Deputy Head
Ecology and Environmental
Department of Almaty City
Today, the city of Almaty is carrying out planned work and has approved a roadmap. As part of this roadmap, the greening of public transportation and transition to electric public buses is being carried out. The thermal plant will also operate on gas.
Jyrgalbek Shamyraliev
Vice-Mayor
Bishkek City Mayor’s Office
The data provided by the sensors helped to speed up the city’s decision-making. Today, the sensor readings have had a direct impact on public opinion. This year, we launched public ecological transport and eco-taxi, and we are launching a new system of dedicated public transport lanes that will directly affect the transition to eco-friendly modes of transportation.
Begaim Alipova
Head of Atmospheric Pollution Observation Division
Kyrgyzhydromet
Oh, I am very optimistic. and I think that now the government is taking a lot of measures to fight smog.
Kristian Rosbach
Economist (Regional Cooperation)
Central and West Asia Department
Asian Development Bank
ADB champions the drive to make cities greener, more competitive, and more resilient.
