Astana to Launch Its Own Font: Will Business Owners Be Forced to Change Their Signage?

A specialized font named "Astana Type" is being developed to create a unified visual style for the urban environment of the capital. The Astana Department of Architecture, Urban Planning, and Land Relations provided an official response to Informburo.kz explaining the implementation process and the requirements for entrepreneurs.

Elnar Bazyken, Director of the Urbanism Center, noted that many currently used fonts do not display Kazakh letters aesthetically. Therefore, the new font, developed in collaboration with an international bureau, will be specifically adapted to the unique characteristics of the Kazakh language.

 "We want to customize Kazakh letters to make everything aesthetically and visually appealing. The plan is to use it for navigation, describing types of business services, and throughout the entire city," said Bazyken.

According to the department, the "Astana Type" font will be introduced in stages during the implementation of new projects and the renovation of the urban environment. Initially, it will be used for:

• Street signs;
• Information stands;
• Public transport stops;
• Public spaces;
• Urban infrastructure elements and signage development.

Department officials emphasized that the use of this font is not mandatory for entrepreneurs. There is no requirement for the immediate or forced replacement of existing signs and elements.

"The use of a city font will allow for the formation of a unified and modern style for the capital. It will be introduced gradually as urban infrastructure is updated," the department's statement read.

As a reminder, in May 2025, Saule Samidin, a deputy of the Astana Maslikhat, pointed out the lack of fonts adapted for the state language and proposed holding a special competition to resolve the issue.