Collaborative Spaces in Relation to Residential Well-Being: Evolution, Typologies, and Challenges. The Case of Almaty

Rapid and often chaotic urbanisation in post-Soviet cities such as Almaty challenges the quality, availability, and accessibility of public spaces for residents, given the cities’ historical development. Meanwhile, global research is focused on the concepts of Third Places, coworking spaces in the Western context, and urban experience in cities with transitional economies, but the heritage of centrally planned urban development lacks spatial explicit analysis. The purpose of the current study is to analyse the evolution, current situation, and distribution of collaborative spaces (public spaces that combine work and connectedness) in Almaty. The methodology includes four phases of qualitative analysis: (1) a historical–typological analysis of architectural functions since the beginning of the 20th century until the 2025, (2) spatial mapping analysis of the existing typologies such as libraries, museums, coworking spaces, research and development (R&D) institutions and universities, and community centres, (3) longitudinal statistical analysis, and (4) historical graphic analysis. Analysis is conducted through the lens of advanced levels of human needs that concern self-education and self-development. This approach helped to propose a new definition of collaborative space. The results also show examples of sustainable urban structure with collaborative spaces in Almaty’s old centre (“Zolotoi Kvadrat”—Golden Square) and a critical deficit of new multifunctional spaces for work and socialisation in recently developed districts. The study reveals that Almaty’s evolution occurred through incremental infill development over the old grid, without the integrated development of the public realm and existing structural connections. As a result, the research explores the connection between collaborative spaces and their indirect influence on the general well-being in Almaty.