Armenia: In Capital's Construction Boom, What Goes Up May Come Down
The newly built or semi-built high-rise buildings dot nearly every street in central Yerevan, often squeezed in alongside much older structures. Roughly $1.8 billion was spent on such construction in 2006, according to the national statistical service. Prices for downtown apartments have increased by about ten times over the last decade, realtors say.
The construction boom is an ongoing cause for controversy among Yerevan residents. Some are happy that the city is getting an updated look, while others complain about the loss of old Yerevan and the overabundance of buildings.
Architects of Armenia Union Chairman Mkrtich Minasian contends that the entrepreneurs responsible for putting up these new apartment blocks, hotels and office buildings are destroying Yerevan's nearly 2,800-year-old history. Urban planning in Yerevan, he argues, amounts to "[E]verybody builds whatever he wants, wherever he wants."
"Look, this building goes beyond the line of the pavement area and crosses the
Gayane Abrahamyan is a reporter for the independent online ArmeniaNow weekly in Yerevan. Anahit Hayrapetyan is a freelance photographer in Yerevan.
Sign up for Eurasianet's free weekly newsletter. Support Eurasianet: Help keep our journalism open to all, and influenced by none.