MP Elinar Vardanyan: “Construction Permits Have Disfigured Yerevan”
Yerevan, April 4 – Member of the “Armenia” faction of the National Assembly, Elinar Vardanyan, has voiced strong criticism regarding the urban development of Yerevan. In a Facebook post today, Vardanyan stated that “barbaric” construction permits issued over the past eight years have irrevocably disfigured the city, transforming it into a “monster city” devoid of soul and culture.
Vardanyan’s extensive critique outlines several key problems facing the Armenian capital:
1. Disfigured Urban Landscape
According to Vardanyan, the issuance of construction permits for massive buildings on every millimeter of available space, driven by a pursuit of quick profit, has turned Yerevan into a city of “meaningless stones.” This aggressive development has, in her view, stripped the city of its unique character and cultural essence.
2. Unbearable Traffic Congestion
The MP highlighted the severe traffic congestion in Yerevan, attributing it to the failure to construct new roads, bridges, and overpasses. She noted that multi-story buildings and complexes have been erected in areas that should have been designated for large parking lots or green spaces, exacerbating the traffic problem.
3. Inadequate Road Capacity
Vardanyan warned that once newly constructed buildings and neighborhoods are fully inhabited, the existing road capacity will be completely insufficient. “An entire newly built neighborhood’s cars will overload roads that were not designed for that many vehicles and traffic,” she stated, predicting that the city will grind to a halt if solutions are not found.
4. Lack of Infrastructure in New Developments
New buildings and neighborhoods are not adequately equipped with essential infrastructure such as water, gas, and sewage systems. Vardanyan cautioned that this oversight will lead to serious problems in the near future, a concern that she believes no one currently addresses.
5. Poor Air Quality
The population of Yerevan is breathing “dirty, carcinogenic air,” a situation that Vardanyan describes as being passively accepted by the public.
6. Stalled Metro Development
Despite discussions over the past eight years about new metro stations, no progress has been made. This lack of development in public transportation further contributes to the city’s mobility issues.
7. Deteriorating Public Transport
Vardanyan criticized the “disgraceful state” of public transport, stating that the previous “gazelles of despair” have merely been replaced by “buses of despair,” indicating a lack of meaningful improvement.
8. Unsuitable Cycling Infrastructure
Despite the promotion of cycling by the authorities, there are no adapted bicycle paths. Vardanyan pointed out the irony, stating that ordinary citizens do not have dozens of accompanying cars to clear their way, forcing them to cycle on dangerous roads or inconvenience pedestrians on unsuitable sidewalks.
9. Poor Road Maintenance
Roads in Yerevan become impassable in winter due to uncleared snow and resemble “trenches” in spring because of potholes. Vardanyan noted that asphalt laid by authorities, who often boast about road improvements, begins to deteriorate within a year.
10. Absence of Green Spaces
There is an almost complete absence of parks and green areas. Evergreen trees are cut down under various pretexts, replaced by saplings that will take decades to grow into trees, if they survive at all.
Vardanyan concluded by asserting that there are many more reasons why Yerevan residents will not vote for the current authorities. She anticipates that cosmetic changes might be rushed before elections, but believes these will not alter the situation, as many problems are already irreversible and almost impossible to fix.
The MP’s comments underscore a growing dissatisfaction with the current state of urban planning and governance in Yerevan, raising critical questions about the city’s future liveability and sustainability.
Source: mamul.am
