The Evolution of Business Center Buildings and Prospects for Their Adaptation in the Post-Pandemic Period in Kazakhstan

Abstract

The buildings of business centers make up a significant part of the development of modern cities. Having different sizes, functional content and architectural and artistic solutions, these complexes are often spatial dominants. The compositional accent formed by them indicates the place of concentration for social activity associated not only with business activity but also often with an entertainment pastime program. The formation of a business center as a specific type of building has a long history from open or semiclosed spaces in ancient times, in which trade operations were carried out, to modern multifunctional, multistory buildings. These buildings are located singly or form complexes occupying one or more blocks. Business centers in Kazakhstan developed in a peculiar way, having a break in their development. The analysis carried out made it possible to identify a number of characteristic features of this development. The post-COVID-19 period has formed a new stage in the evolution of business centers. Demand for this type of building has partially declined. Existing buildings began to partially or completely reorient themselves to other activities. At this stage, the most promising option for multistory complexes is their transformation into hotels or residential buildings.