Indoor city planned for Kazakh capital

Plans for a huge transparent tent designed by UK architect Norman Foster have been unveiled in Kazakhstan, according to reports.

President Nursultan Nazarbayev presented plans for the structure, which aims to soak up the summer sun and provide a warm, yet 'outdoor' environment during the winter.

The Kazakh capital, Astana, is in the heart of the central Asian steppe and its skyline contrasts wildly with the sparse snow trodden plains of the surrounding area.

Mr Nazarbayev relocated the capital to Astana ten years ago and the continued development has cost the Kazakh government over £7 billion.

"It was a huge risk and I took it intuitively," Mr Nazarbayev told the BBC.

"I put everything at stake, including my career and my name. I knew if I had failed it would be a fatal failure, but the success would also be the real success."

The new 150-foot dome is set to be another striking addition to the capital's surreal skyline.