caerCentral Asian Economic ReviewCentral Asian Economic Review2789-43982789-4401Университет Нархоз10.52821/2789-4401-2025-4-162-178caer-1558Research ArticleБИЗНЕС И УПРАВЛЕНИЕ: ПРОБЛЕМЫ И РЕШЕНИЯBUSINESS AND GOVERNANCE: ISSUES AND SOLUTIONSРазвитие городского экотуризма на примере экопарка «MAZE» в городе Усть-КаменогорскUrban ecotourism development: the case of the «MAZE» Ecopark in OskemenДаулетхановаЕ. Р.DauletkhanovaY. R.

Алматы

Dauletkhanova Yerkezhan Ruslankyzy – PhD student, Department of Recreational Geography and Tourism

Almaty

daulethanova_e@mail.ruАктымбаеваА. С.AktymbayevaA. S.

Алматы

Aktymbayeva Aliya Sagyndykovna – Candidate of Geography, Associate Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences

Almaty

aliya.aktymbayeva@kaznu.edu.kzСапиеваА. Ж.SapiyevaA. Z.

Алматы

Sapiyeva Akmaral Zhenisbayevna – PhD, Department of Recreational Geography and Tourism

Almaty

akmaral.sapiyeva@kaznu.edu.kzКазНУ имени Аль-Фараби; Центр устойчивого развития Центральной Азии PolyU–КазНУКазахстанAl-Farabi Kazakh National University; PolyU-KazNU Centre for Sustainable Development in Central AsiaKazakhstan20250211202504162178Copyright © Даулетханова Е.Р., Актымбаева А.С., Сапиева А.Ж., 20252025Даулетханова Е.Р., Актымбаева А.С., Сапиева А.Ж.Dauletkhanova Y.R., Aktymbayeva A.S., Sapiyeva A.Z.Данная работа распространяется под лицензией Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.https://caer.narxoz.kz/jour/article/view/1558

Целью исследования направлено на решение острой экологической проблемы в Усть-Каменогорске путем разработки концепции экопарка «MAZE». Проект сочетает устойчивое развитие туризма, восстановление зеленой инфраструктуры и экологическое просвещение, предлагая инновационную модель городского экотуризма.

Методология

Методология. Использован смешанный методический подход: ГИС-анализ и экологическая оценка, пилотный социологический опрос (n≈80), моделирование «затраты–выгоды» и туристических потоков, 3D-визуализация и консультации с экспертами. Эти инструменты позволили оценить состояние окружающей среды, общественный запрос и предварительную экономическую эффективность.

Оригинальность/ценность исследования. Впервые представлена модель экопарка, специально разработанная для постиндустриальных городов Центральной Азии. В отличие от традиционных парков, «MAZE» объединяет лабиринтный дизайн с экологическим восстановлением и образовательными программами.

Результаты исследования

Результаты исследования. Основные результаты: (1) подтверждено тяжелое состояние экологии (превышение стандартов ВОЗ по качеству воздуха, дефицит зеленых зон); (2) выявлен высокий общественный интерес к экотуризму; (3) доказана финансовая реализуемость проекта, способного привлечь туристические потоки и окупиться в среднесрочной перспективе. Ожидаемый эффект включает экологические улучшения (снижение загрязнения, озеленение), социальные выгоды (здоровье, экологическая грамотность, укрепление сообществ) и экономические результаты (туристический доход, новые рабочие места).

The study aims

The study aims. This study addresses severe environmental degradation in Ust-Kamenogorsk by developing the “MAZE Ecopark,” an innovative urban ecotourism model that integrates sustainable tourism, ecological restoration, and environmental education.

Methodology

Methodology. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining GIS-based spatial and environmental analysis, a pilot sociological survey (n≈80), cost-benefit and visitor-flow modeling, 3D visualization, and expert consultations. These tools allowed evaluation of environmental conditions, community demand, and preliminary economic viability.

Originality/value of the research. This is the first ecopark framework specifically designed for post-industrial cities in Central Asia. Unlike traditional urban parks, the model combines maze-design principles with ecological remediation and educational programming, linking recreation with sustainability and community engagement.

Key findings

Key findings. Results confirm: (1) serious environmental degradation, with air quality indicators exceeding WHO standards and limited green infrastructure; (2) strong public support and willingness to engage in urban ecotourism; and (3) financial feasibility, with potential to attract substantial visitor flows and achieve mediumterm payback. The expected impact includes ecological improvements (air-quality mitigation, urban greening), social benefits (public health, environmental literacy, social cohesion), and economic contributions (tourism revenue, new jobs).

городской экотуризмустойчивое развитиезеленая инфраструктураГИС-анализпланирование туризмаУсть-Каменогорскмодель экопаркаurban ecotourismsustainable developmentgreen infrastructureGIS analysistourism planningUst-Kamenogorskecopark model(1) данное исследование было профинансировано Комитетом науки Министерства науки и высшего образования Республики Казахстан (грант № AP23490620, название: «Реализация управления устойчивым развитием туризма в Имантау-Шалкарской курортной зоны, основанного на применении Smart-технологий») и (2) в рамках написания диссертационной работы первого соавтора статьи по образовательному гранту Министерства науки и высшего образования Республики Казахстан.(1) This research was funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP23490620, title: “Implementation of Sustainable Tourism Management in the Imantau-Shalkar Resort Area Based on the Application of Smart Technologies”, and (2) within the framework of writing a thesis of the first co-author's article on an educational grant from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.ReferencesHigham J., Lück M. Urban ecotourism: a contradiction in terms? // Journal of Ecotourism. – 2002. – Т. 1. – № 1. – С. 36–51. – DOI: 10.1080/14724040208668112.Higham, J., & Lück, M. (2002). Urban ecotourism: A contradiction in terms? Journal of Ecotourism, 1(1), 36–51. https://doi.org/10.1080/14724040208668112Dodds R., Joppe M. Promoting urban green tourism: The development of the other map of Toronto // Journal of Vacation Marketing. – 2001. – Т. 7. – № 3. – С. 261–267. – DOI: 10.1177/135676670100700306.Dodds, R., & Joppe, M. (2001). Promoting urban green tourism: The development of the other map of Toronto. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 7(3), 261–267. https://doi.org/10.1177/135676670100700306Wu J., Tan R. Urban green space planning based on ecological service values: A case study on Shenzhen City // Journal of Urban Planning and Development. – 2012. – С. 62–69. – DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)UP.1943- 5444.0000103.Wu, J., & Tan, R. (2012). Urban green space planning based on ecological service values: A case study on Shenzhen City. Journal of Urban Planning and Development, 62–69. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE) UP.1943-5444.0000103Chen W. Y., Jim C. Y. Cost–benefit analysis of the leisure value of urban greening in the new Chinese city of Zhuhai // Cities. – 2008. – Т. 25. – № 5. – С. 298–309. – DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2008.06.002.Chen, W. Y., & Jim, C. Y. (2008). Cost–benefit analysis of the leisure value of urban greening in the new Chinese city of Zhuhai. Cities, 25(5), 298–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2008.06.002Gibson A. et al. Ecotourism in the city? Toronto’s green tourism association // International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. – 2003. – Т. 15. – № 6. – С. 324–327. – DOI: 10.1108/09596110310488075.Gibson, A., et al. (2003). Ecotourism in the city? Toronto’s Green Tourism Association. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 15(6), 324–327. https://doi.org/10.1108/09596110310488075Aktymbayeva B. et al. Tourism industry development and governance: a comparative stage review of Kazakhstan’s experience for the years of independence, 1991–2020 // GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites. – 2020. – Т. 34. – № 1. – С. 69–76. – DOI: 10.30892/gtg.34109-616.Aktymbayeva, B., et al. (2020). Tourism industry development and governance: A comparative stage review of Kazakhstan’s experience for the years of independence, 1991–2020. GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites, 34(1), 69–76. https://doi.org/10.30892/gtg.34109-616Forman R. T. T. Urban ecology: Science of cities. – Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2014. – 463 p.Forman, R. T. T. (2014). Urban ecology: Science of cities. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Costanza R. et al. Twenty years of ecosystem services: How far have we come and how far do we still need to go? // Ecosystem Services. – 2017. – Т. 28. – С. 1–16. – DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.09.008.Costanza, R., et al. (2017). Twenty years of ecosystem services: How far have we come and how far do we still need to go? Ecosystem Services, 28, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.09.008Hunter C. Sustainable tourism as an adaptive paradigm // Annals of Tourism Research. – 1997. – Т. 24. – № 4. – С. 850–867. – DOI: 10.1016/S0160-7383(97)00036-4.Hunter, C. (1997). Sustainable tourism as an adaptive paradigm. Annals of Tourism Research, 24(4), 850–867. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160-7383(97)00036-4Yin R. K. Case study research and applications. – Thousand Oaks, CA : Sage, 2018. – Т. 6.Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Nikulina A. A. Urban ecotourism as a new direction of ecotourism // Tourism and Hospitality: New Concepts, Opportunities and Development Tools. – 2021. – С. 88–91.Nikulina, A. A. (2021). Urban ecotourism as a new direction of ecotourism. In Tourism and Hospitality: New Concepts, Opportunities and Development Tools (pp. 88–91).Burabay (Borovoe) tourist stream [Electronic resource] // Forbes Georgia [web-site]. – 2025. – URL: https://forbes.ge/uploads/files/ENG-kazakh-geo.pdf (Accessed: 20.08.2025).Burabay (Borovoe) tourist stream. (2025). Forbes Georgia. Retrieved August 20, 2025 from https://forbes.ge/uploads/files/ENG-kazakh-geo.pdfPlanting and survival statistics [Electronic resource] // Inbusiness.kz [web-site]. – 2025. – URL: https://inbusiness.kz/ru/news/v-vko-poteryali-schet-derevyam (Accessed: 03.04.2025).Planting and survival statistics. (2025). Inbusiness.kz. Retrieved April 3, 2025 from https://inbusiness.kz/ru/news/v-vko-poteryali-schet-derevyamSpruce [Electronic resource] // Lizgard [web-site]. – 2025. – URL: https://lizgard.com.ua/rasteniya/khvojnyerastenija/eli.html (Accessed: 03.04.2025).Spruce. (2025). Lizgard. Retrieved April 3, 2025 from https://lizgard.com.ua/rasteniya/khvojnyerastenija/eli.htmlYew [Electronic resource] // Vash Sad [web-site]. – 2025. – URL: https://www.vashsad.ua/encyclopedia-of-plants/coniferous/show/2785 (Accessed: 03.02.2025).Yew. (2025). Vash Sad. Retrieved February 3, 2025 from https://www.vashsad.ua/encyclopedia-ofplants/coniferous/show/2785Thuja [Electronic resource] // Priroda Kiev [web-site]. – 2025. – URL: https://www.priroda.kiev.ua/tovar/tuja-brabant-jekstra-5 (Accessed: 03.04.2025).Thuja. (2025). Priroda Kiev. Retrieved April 3, 2025 from https://www.priroda.kiev.ua/tovar/tuja-brabant-jekstra-5Boxwood [Electronic resource] // Wikipedia [web-site]. – 2025. – URL: https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Самшит (Accessed: 03.04.2025).Boxwood. (2025). Wikipedia. Retrieved April 3, 2025 from https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/СамшитBuxus sempervirens Suffruticosa – Dwarf Common Boxwood [Electronic resource] // Promesse de Fleurs [web-site]. – 2025. – URL: https://www.promessedefleurs.ie/shrubs/shrubs-by-variety/buxus-boxwood/buxus-sempervirens-suffruticosa-dwarf-common-boxwood.html (Accessed: 03.04.2025).Buxus sempervirens Suffruticosa – Dwarf Common Boxwood. (2025). Promesse de Fleurs. Retrieved April 3, 2025 from https://www.promessedefleurs.ie/shrubs/shrubs-by-variety/buxus-boxwood/buxus-sempervirens-suffruticosa-dwarf-common-boxwood.htmlCrocuses: varieties, planting, and care [Electronic resource] // Lenta.ru [web-site]. – 2025. – URL: https://lenta.ru/articles/2024/08/13/krokusy-sorta-posadka-i-uhod (Accessed: 03.01.2025).Crocuses: Varieties, planting, and care. (2025). Lenta.ru. Retrieved January 3, 2025 from https://lenta.ru/articles/2024/08/13/krokusy-sorta-posadka-i-uhod

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest present.