New "Old Town" Yerevan!

Still haven't seen the specifics, but this sounds very promising - and finally answers the question of what will happen to all the numbered facades that have been removed...

NEW PLAN FOR OLD YEREVAN: ARAM STREET TO BECOME CENTER OF HISTORY AND NOSTALGIA

By Gayane Abrahamyan

ArmeniaNow reporter

A new project by the Urban Planning Council of Yerevan plans to put the city's most historic buildings or those that best represent 19th and early 20th century architecture - on one street.

If the plan is successful, some three years from now Aram Street, just off Republic Square might better become known as `Old Yerevan' Street.

Nineteen buildings that have been dismantled either because they were in bad condition, or to make way for current urban renewal, are to be rebuilt in their original form, reflecting the classical Russian style of the last century.

Though coming at a time when the city center is being rebuilt, the city's Chief Architect Samvel Danielyan says the idea is not a new one.

`Attempts to gather these buildings in one place, to create an atmosphere typical to Yerevan, as well as discussions about the idea have been there as early as in Soviet times, but they have remained unrealized,' says Danielyan.

`But it is more important today, since as a result of large scale urban-planning processes many buildings have either been dismantled or have appeared in a totally alien environment, are not concentrated in one place and lose their true artistic value in an improper surrounding.'

Part of the project would include recreating backyards typical to the old Yerevan, with small archways leading to green yards full of light, where museums, workshops, small galleries, and old Yerevan style taverns and other such things will be created to show the routine lifestyle and traditions of previous times.

`This environment will be of interest for both tourists and the local population, who will enjoy nostalgic recollections in the backyards,' says Danielyan. `The implementation of this project also has an educational point of view, for the future generations has to see and be aware what ground Yerevan has been created on, what was its architectural appearance.'

Tourism operator Hrachik Muradyan says the need for such a project is very strong in Yerevan.

`I communicate with dozens of tourists every day and all of them ask to see the place where they could see the old Yerevan, where are our old buildings people used to live and how they used to live there,' says Muradyan.

If successful, the project will feature old design, while implementing modern construction as well. For example, an underground parking garage near the street will accommodate 1,400 cars.

The project has the approval of 27 out of 28 Urban-planning Council members. Only one, former Senior Architect Narek Sargsyan objected, and his protest was related to the location.

The former Senior Architect suggested that the territory of the `Firdousi' market be used for the implementation of the program.

`There are already 8 historical-cultural monuments at Aram Street that are not subject to moving to another place,' explains Danielyan. `Besides, it is the logical continuation of the Armenian National Gallery and the History Museum. Moreover, many of the council members suggested including the territory behind the Gallery as well and that the street would stretch on the opposite side to the tunnels leading to the Hrazdan gorge.'

President of the Armenian Union of Architects Mkrtich Minasyan believes this project is the only way to preserve the old structures today.

`In this period of total dismantlement this is the only hope we have to not lose a huge portion of our history,' says Minasyan. `Every town is unique with its cultural layers where the architectural structures are on the first place. No one is impressed by contemporary buildings and skyscrapers, but our old, narrow yards and wooden balconies with incrustations will.'

In approximately two months the full portfolio of the project will be submitted for a tender on construction rights.

According to Danielyan, this will be one joint urban-planning program and will not be divided into lots.

`The project will be implemented under strict supervision to escape change of environment; although this is one joint project and demands huge investments, the interest is already quite big and I think in five years we will wander across an Old Yerevan Street rich with old unique colors,' says Danielyan.