The internet forum pioneers
In the late 80s a group of like-minded people started gathering on a website and discussing alternative ways of living. Most of them were from North America and Western Europe, but after seeing the big changes happening in the East Bloc and the newly formed Russia, they wanted to help out with their transition.
During the 90s, the international mass of people was forming rapidly and among them some wealthy and influential individuals. The idea for the new city-state was crystallised and the location was decided. One neglected area of land in Kazakhstan proved very promising and affordable so as soon the lease was acquired, the logistics were underway.
The name was decided because there was already a village nearby called Isatay. They were happy to have this project nearby because of a promise of helping out with the desertification. Near the village sand dunes were beginning to form so the first step was to plant “Saksaul” – a hardy desert shrub that would help anchor the soil. The city’s outer perimeter (the edge of the “Periphery”) wouldn’t be close to the Caspian Sea, as the long-term forecasts showed that the lake might again raise its level.
From the outset, the idea of Isataion was to showcase all the available alternatives, so people who wanted to immigrate there would already be open to a different way of living. Kazakhstan government was happy, because they leased the land and had a productive city that contributed to its overall GDP, even though HDI (Human Development Index) would actually show whether a country is a decent place to live.
The internet forum pioneers
In the late 80s a group of like-minded people started gathering on a website and discussing alternative ways of living. Most of them were from North America and Western Europe, but after seeing the big changes happening in the East Bloc and the newly formed Russia, they wanted to help out with their transition.
During the 90s, the international mass of people was forming rapidly and among them some wealthy and influential individuals. The idea for the new city-state was crystallised and the location was decided. One neglected area of land in Kazakhstan proved very promising and affordable so as soon the lease was acquired, the logistics were underway.
The name was decided because there was already a village nearby called Isatay. They were happy to have this project nearby because of a promise of helping out with the desertification. Near the village sand dunes were beginning to form so the first step was to plant “Saksaul” – a hardy desert shrub that would help anchor the soil. The city’s outer perimeter (the edge of the “Periphery”) wouldn’t be close to the Caspian Sea, as the long-term forecasts showed that the lake might again raise its level.
From the outset, the idea of Isataion was to showcase all the available alternatives, so people who wanted to immigrate there would already be open to a different way of living. Kazakhstan government was happy, because they leased the land and had a productive city that contributed to its overall GDP, even though HDI (Human Development Index) would actually show whether a country is a decent place to live.