History of Aktau

Foundation and First Mentions

Aktau is one of the youngest cities in Kazakhstan, emerging thanks to the industrial breakthrough of the mid-20th century. Its history began not with ancient settlements, but with the landing of geological exploration expeditions in the late 1950s. Initially, the workers' settlement of Aktausky was established on the site of the future city.

Official city status was granted in 1963. Notably, in 1964, the city was renamed Shevchenko (in honour of the poet Taras Shevchenko, who served his exile on the Mangyshlak Peninsula in the 19th century). The historical name Aktau was returned to the city only in 1991.

Key Development Factors

The emergence of a major settlement in a waterless desert was made possible by the convergence of several strategic factors:

• Resource Base: The primary reason for founding the city was the discovery of rich uranium ore and oil deposits on the Mangyshlak Peninsula. The city was created as the centre of the Caspian Mining and Metallurgical Combine.
• Geographical Location: Access to the Caspian Sea allowed for the construction of a seaport, necessary for transporting raw materials and equipment, which turned the city into a vital transport hub.
• Engineering Challenge: The absence of natural drinking water sources determined the city's technological destiny. To sustain life in Aktau, a unique complex featuring a fast-neutron nuclear reactor (BN-350) was built, which was utilized for the desalination of seawater.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From the moment of its foundation, Aktau developed as a "city of the future" according to a master plan developed by architects from Leningrad. It was a city of engineers, scientists, and oil workers, attracting specialists from all over the Soviet Union.

A unique feature of the urban environment, preserved from the early years to the present day, is the absence of street names. The city was originally designed using a micro-district system. Addresses in Aktau consist of three numbers: the micro-district number, the building number, and the apartment number. This navigation system has become a distinctive calling card of the city.

Stages of the City's Formation

• 1959: Foundation of the Aktausky workers' settlement, which became the base for geologists and builders of the future industrial centre.
• 1963: The settlement officially receives city status; active construction of residential micro-districts begins.
• 1964: The city is renamed Shevchenko in honour of the poet Taras Shevchenko, who was in exile in Mangyshlak in the mid-19th century.
• 1967: Completion of the first phase of the seaport, transforming the city into a key transport hub on the Caspian.
• 1973: Commissioning of the unique BN-350 nuclear reactor, providing the city with electricity and fresh water.
• 1978: The city's development project is awarded the prestigious Patrick Abercrombie Prize by the International Union of Architects for creating a humane environment in difficult climatic conditions.

Modern History

• 1991: The city's historical name — Aktau — is restored.
• 1999: Shutdown of the BN-350 reactor and the commencement of works for its safe decommissioning.
• 2003: Creation of the "Seaport Aktau" Special Economic Zone for the accelerated development of the region and investment attraction.
• 2018: The city hosted the Fifth Caspian Summit, where the historic Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea was signed.
• 2020: Opening of major resort complexes on the coast, marking the beginning of the large-scale development of the tourism cluster.

Key Milestones in Aktau's Development

The history of Aktau is an example of how engineering thought and strategic planning can create an oasis in the middle of a desert. The city's development passed through several fundamental stages that defined its modern appearance and status.

• Unique Urban Planning Experiment (1960s)
  The city was designed by Leningrad architects taking the harsh climate into account: buildings were positioned to protect courtyards from winds and sandstorms. The implementation of a micro-district system instead of streets was an innovative solution, for which the city project was awarded the prestigious Patrick Abercrombie Prize.
• Technological Breakthrough in Life Support (1973)
  The launch of the world's first industrial fast-neutron reactor BN-350 was of critical importance. It not only provided energy but also powered massive desalination plants, proving the possibility of a large city existing in a completely waterless area.
• Industrialisation of the Region (1970–1980s)
  The establishment of the Caspian Mining and Metallurgical Combine (PGMK) turned the city into a strategic centre of the USSR for uranium and rare earth metal mining. This attracted highly qualified personnel from across the Union to the region, forming a special cultural layer of a "city of intelligentsia".
• Gaining Administrative Weight (1990s)
  After the dissolution of the USSR and the return of its historical name, Aktau became the regional centre of independent Kazakhstan. During this period, the economic focus shifted from the uranium industry to the active development of oil and gas fields on the Caspian shelf.
• Development of a Transport Hub (2000s)
  The creation of the "Seaport Aktau" Special Economic Zone and the modernisation of the port allowed the city to become a key link in the Trans-Caspian Transport Route connecting Asia and Europe.
• Tourism Reorientation (from 2018)
  Hosting the Fifth Caspian Summit and the subsequent construction of large international-class resort complexes marked a new vector of development — transforming the industrial city into the country's main beach resort destination.

An Urban Planning Phenomenon

Aktau is a unique example of a city designed "from scratch" as a unified architectural ensemble. There are no historical layers of eras here typical of old cities: you will not find Gothic, Baroque, or 19th-century Classicism. The appearance of Aktau is a triumph of Soviet Modernism and bold engineering solutions implemented by Leningrad designers in the mid-20th century.

Soviet Modernism and Functionalism (1960–1990)

The "Golden Age" of Aktau's architecture fell in the 1960s–1980s. The city's master plan was developed considering the harsh desert climate and strong winds. The style of this period can be characterised as functionalism with elements of brutalism.

• Gallery Houses: One of the main features was gallery-type residential buildings. Instead of dark entrances, architects used open galleries, which provided cross-ventilation for apartments and created shade.
• Houses on "Legs": The use of pylon supports allowed wind to pass freely under the buildings, lowering the air temperature in the courtyards and preventing sand accumulation.
• Stepped Silhouette: The construction of micro-districts was carried out in terraces descending towards the sea. This solution, resembling an amphitheatre, ensured a view of the Caspian from the windows of most houses and the natural circulation of the sea breeze.
• Materials: The massive use of local sawn limestone (shell rock) gave the buildings a characteristic warm, light shade, visually cementing the city's status as the "White Pearl".

Iconic Structures of the Era

The symbol of architectural ingenuity became the Lighthouse on the roof of a residential building ("The House with a Lighthouse" in the 4th micro-district). This is a unique engineering solution: the lighthouse is located directly on the roof of a multi-storey residential building and served as a landmark for ships for many years, becoming the city's calling card.

Modern Period (Postmodernism and High-Tech)

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the architectural vector has shifted towards high-rise construction and active development of the coastline. Modern Aktau is experimenting with new forms and materials.

• High-Rise Construction: In the new micro-districts (from the 16th and above), modern commercial development with elements of High-Tech prevails — featuring panoramic glazing and ventilated facades.
• Eclecticism and National Flavour: New public buildings, such as the Mangystau Regional Music and Drama Theatre and the Beket-Ata Mosque, combine modern construction technologies with elements of Eastern architecture and traditional ornaments.
• Rock Trail (Skalnaya Tropa): An example of modern landscape architecture, where a pedestrian zone with lighting and viewing platforms is organically integrated into the complex terrain of Cape Melovoy.

Historical Heritage of the Region

• Beket-Ata (1750–1813)
  Role: Religious figure, educator, Sufi mystic.
  Significance: Considered the spiritual patron of Mangystau. Although he lived long before the city's founding, his figure occupies a central place in the region's culture. The main mosque of Aktau is named in his honour, and the underground Beket-Ata Mosque in the vicinity is a crucial place of pilgrimage.
• Taras Shevchenko (1814–1861)
  Role: Ukrainian poet, artist, and ethnographer.
  Significance: Served exile on the Mangyshlak Peninsula (in the Novopetrovsk fortification) in the mid-19th century. His name is inextricably linked with the city: from 1964 to 1991, Aktau bore the name Shevchenko. A monument to the poet is installed in the city, becoming one of the main landmarks.

Founders and Builders of the City

• Ruben Grigoryan (1917–1976)
  Role: Mining engineer, first director of the Caspian Mining and Metallurgical Combine (PGMK).
  Significance: Often called the "father of the city". Under his direct leadership, a powerful industrial cluster was created in the waterless desert, the city of Aktau itself was built, and desalination plants were launched. Hero of Socialist Labour.
• Yefim Slavsky (1898–1991)
  Role: Minister of Medium Machine Building of the USSR (head of the nuclear industry).
  Significance: The main ideologue and curator of the construction of the "atomic city" on the Caspian. It was thanks to his support that the unique project of the BN-350 reactor, which provided Aktau with water and light, was realised.
• Alexander Korotkov (1909–?)
  Role: Architect, head of the design group.
  Significance: Led the team of Leningrad architects who developed the master plan for Shevchenko (Aktau). For creating a humane urban environment in the desert, his team was awarded the Patrick Abercrombie Prize by the International Union of Architects.

Modern Cultural and Sports Figures

• Abish Kekilbayev (1939–2015)
  Role: People's Writer of Kazakhstan, statesman, and public figure.
  Significance: A native of the Mangystau Region who became a classic of Kazakh literature. He made a huge contribution to the cultural development of the region. A monument is erected to him in Aktau, and the regional museum of local history bears his name.
• Adilbek Niyazymbetov (born 1989)
  Role: Boxer, Honoured Master of Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
  Significance: Two-time silver medalist of the Olympic Games (London 2012, Rio 2016). He is the pride of the Aktau sports school and an example for the youth of the region.