Building urban resilience in Naryn

High in the mountains of the Kyrgyz Republic, the town of Naryn is known for its beautiful alpine landscapes and rich nomadic culture. Yet, like many remote towns in Central Asia, it faces development challenges including long winters, ageing infrastructure and limited economic opportunity. Seasonal flooding and erosion add to environmental vulnerability across neighbourhoods. With few jobs available locally, many young people have relocated to Russia or beyond in search of stability.

In response, the Naryn Urban Resilience Programme (NURP) was launched in May 2022 as a five‑year initiative developed in partnership with local stakeholders. It aims to strengthen the town’s ability to adapt to environmental, economic and social challenges, while building the capacity of local authorities to apply resilient urban planning, investment strategies and community engagement in delivering sustainable infrastructure in Naryn. NURP has also engaged with national and local authorities to develop a knowledge base to understand natural hazard risks and mitigation strategies. The initiative is co-funded by the Swiss Government’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and AKDN.

Taking the first steps

Before any infrastructure projects began, NURP prioritised understanding the town’s needs in depth.

“We started with an Integrated Habitat Assessment,” said Omurbek Ibraev, the programme’s Project Manager. “We looked at everything: soil, climate hazards, social and economic conditions. That gave us the foundation to plan real solutions.”

The assessment not only helped identify infrastructure gaps and environmental risks but also guided the programme’s three strategic focus areas: restoring public infrastructure, enhancing climate resilience, and engaging local authorities and communities in urban planning. To demonstrate effective approaches to these goals, NURP launched several ‘proof of concept’ projects to meet urgent local needs while modelling sustainable development.

Public participation was embedded from the start. Task forces of community members helped identify the most urgent local needs, from enhancing pedestrian access to mitigating local flood risks.

Building for impact

The first ‘proof of concept’ project was the reconstruction of a 2.8 km sidewalk with an irrigation network along one of Naryn’s main streets. Due to long-term wear, the sidewalk was no longer safe for regular use and locals often walked along the road. It was rebuilt with smooth surfacing, flood-resistant irrigation and new lighting for safety.

“The sidewalk used to be narrow and in a bad shape,” said one resident. “The kindergarten is right nearby so it is easier for kids to get there. The new lighting also makes a big difference at night.”

Another added, “Evening strolls, morning jogs, we do not worry about cars anymore. It feels safe.” “Our grandchildren can run freely,” shared one elder.

Another project will reconstruct Jusaev Park, located in one of Naryn’s outer sub-districts. The park is designed as a clean, green and welcoming space for families, children and community gatherings. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year and the project is expected to both expand recreational access and strengthen the town’s climate resilience.

Alongside major infrastructure works, NURP delivers smaller-scale improvements to enhance public safety and environmental resilience. Two mudflow collectors are being built in nearby gorges to protect around 200 households from mudflows and seasonal flooding. A waste-sorting facility at the municipal landfill is set for completion by August 2025. To help safeguard Naryn’s only natural spring, nearly 2,000 saplings were planted and fenced in partnership with the Forestry Department.

In one neighbourhood, the reconstruction of a local bridge is improving access and safety where a narrow structure had long posed a risk.

“The old bridge was about 4.5 metres wide and vehicles could not even turn safely, some went off the edge,” recalled Keldibek Temirbekovich, a resident. “Now, with NURP’s support, the bridge is being rebuilt, even a walkway for children is being added.”

Capacity building is an important part of NURP’s design. Through certified programmes on urban resilience, workshops and hands-on project experience, local residents are gaining the skills to lead future initiatives independently.

“They are not just beneficiaries,” Omurbek noted. “They are partners and they have come a long way.”

With two years remaining in its current phase, the programme continues to focus on strengthening resilience and improving daily life in Naryn.