Dynamics of the level of urbanization in Kyrgyzstan
Urbanization is often an important factor in socio-economic development. The concentration of people and businesses in cities contributes to GDP growth, increased labor productivity, the development of small and medium enterprises, and the creation of new jobs. Cities provide broader access to education, healthcare, culture, and innovation, becoming centers for IT startups, sciences, and services. Over time, this can reduce population migration and strengthen the economy.
However, with the growth of cities, old problems also intensify: overloaded transport networks, increased street crime, ineffective management processes, and bureaucracy. Addressing these issues requires a systematic approach; otherwise, they begin to hinder economic development and worsen the quality of life for urban residents. Therefore, today, digital technologies are becoming important tools for data-driven city management.
City problems as opportunities for growth
The increase in population in Bishkek, Osh, and other regional centers creates increased pressure on transport infrastructure, public services, and government institutions. Management models developed several decades ago do not correspond to modern realities and data volumes. In such conditions, technology becomes not just a trendy tool but a necessity for the survival of large cities.
City of Bishkek
Traffic jams: how technology helps to ease the streets
One of the most pressing issues is traffic congestion. Ten-point traffic jams have become a common occurrence for the capital. The reasons lie not only in the number of cars but also in chaotic movement and insufficient traffic management. Modern technologies allow a transition from traditional schemes to adaptive traffic management systems.
At some intersections in Bishkek, the "ASUDD" (Automated Traffic Management System) is already operational, allowing real-time monitoring and regulation of traffic flows. The authorities of Kyrgyzstan also plan to implement "smart" traffic lights that prioritize public transport and allocate separate lanes for buses in Bishkek, Osh, and other cities such as Manas, Talas, Tokmok, Batken, Naryn, and Karakol. These measures are expected to increase the speed and attractiveness of public transport, which in turn should reduce the number of private cars on the roads.
Additionally, an important role is played by video cameras that record traffic violations, installed as part of the "Safe City" project. They not only enhance driver discipline but also contribute to reducing accident rates due to the inevitability of punishment. Representatives of the monitoring center of the Traffic Safety Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that in areas of Bishkek where hardware-software complexes are installed, the number of traffic accidents has decreased by 3.5%, while in the Chui region, it has decreased by 14%.
Crime and safety: digital technologies safeguarding order
The increase in population density requires new approaches to ensuring safety. The traditional model, based on reacting to incidents, is becoming insufficiently effective. It is being replaced by prevention based on data analysis.
The "Safe City" and "Safe Country" projects are already showing positive results: since 2021, the number of crimes in Kyrgyzstan has decreased by 69%. Surveillance and video analytics systems help not only to record violations but also to solve crimes, including high-profile cases, on hot trails.
The integration of video cameras with emergency services reduces response times to incidents, and the presence of surveillance decreases street crime levels in controlled areas. As a result, a safer urban environment is formed, where technologies act not as a tool of total control but as a means of protection and prevention.
Bureaucracy: from long queues to a service-oriented state
Bureaucracy is another challenge for growing cities. According to a decree from the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, a program for debureaucratization began last year. It aims to simplify procedures, eliminate unnecessary certificates and requirements, speed up the provision of public services, transition to digital document flow through the Tunduk system, and increase the efficiency of the government apparatus.
Digitalization is becoming the key to reducing the burden on both government bodies and citizens. In 2025, 3.6 million requests were received by the public service centers, of which 527 thousand services were provided in digital format. Currently, over 190 public services are available on the Tunduk platform, and the application itself has about 3 million users. Digitalization covers all areas of public administration, leading to a decrease in visits to agencies and increasing transparency.
The transition to a service-oriented state changes the philosophy of interaction: the state becomes a convenient service provider rather than a source of obstacles for businesses and citizens.
Bishkek, photo by Nikolai Gladkov
The city of the future: the direction of digitalization
Despite the progress made, the path to a "smart city" in Kyrgyzstan remains challenging. Major obstacles include the fragmentation of solutions, a lack of qualified personnel, and the need to improve infrastructure. The next step is the integration of transport systems, security systems, and public services into a single digital platform where data will interact. For this, the government is collaborating with technology partners who help accelerate the development of the digital economy and share international experience.
According to Ilya Belyakov, Director of the Technical Department of the INTEGRA CITY Group of Companies, for residents, a "smart city" is not just sensors and cameras, but also reduced traffic jams, faster service delivery, and increased safety. The main difficulties arise not from a lack of technology but from their disconnection, which leads to inefficiency. Modern technologies allow for the integration of data into a single management platform, facilitating more prompt problem-solving.
Great prospects for solving old problems are opened up by big data and artificial intelligence, which allow a shift from merely addressing consequences to predicting problems. As noted by the Minister of Digital Development Azamat Jamangulov, the necessary capacities and infrastructure for implementing AI in the work of government bodies and businesses will be available in Kyrgyzstan by 2026.
City of Bishkek. Photo by Nikolai Gladkov
Urbanization in Kyrgyzstan represents not a threat but an opportunity, provided that the growth of cities is accompanied by smart management, digital solutions, and a focus on data. Technologies do not replace urban management but make it more efficient, transparent, and scalable.
As a result, traffic jams, crime, and bureaucracy can become manageable processes. This opens up a chance for the cities of Kyrgyzstan not only to grow in size but also to become more comfortable, safe, and economically sustainable.
