About 90% of multifamily buildings of Armenia were built in Soviet-era. Most of them are already 50 years old. Some buildings were affected by 1988 earthquake, others became dilapidated for time reasons. Besides, at Soviet times, the buildings were designed and built for 7-point earthquake intensity resistance. After 1988 earthquake in Spitak the complex of regulatory and technical documents on protection of buildings and structures from seismic impacts has been revised, and now the houses are designed for 9-point earthquake intensity resistance. Therefore, we have a large part of the "aging" housing fund, which needs improvement or demolition. About 550 Multifamily Buildings are in Poor Technical Condition The picture of the technical condition of the Armenian housing fund is not complete. The last survey on buildings technical condition was conducted in 2003. According to the preliminary estimation about 6 billion AMD (about USD 13 million) is required for a new large technical survey, which is impossible to do now using public funds due to other key issues requiring more priority solution. According to the last data 550 out of 19,000 multifamily buildings in our country have insufficient technical conditions, of which 500 have 3rd degree damage (in this case reinforcement and recovery works are strongly required), and 50 have 4th degree damage and are subject to demolition. Moreover, after resettlement of the population of 4th degree damaged buildings to avoid further illegal occupancy, demolition of these buildings is mandatory. To avoid unpredictable destruction of the buildings, the government supports residents of 4th degree damaged buildings. “36 unsafe buildings have been repopulated since 2000, more than 1300 families and about 1200 private house residents’ issues have been resolved. As of January 1st 2014, in Yerevan the problem of all 4th degree damaged buildings has been solved. The situation is different in provinces, because here the funds required for the construction of new multifamily buildings often exceed several times the amount of money required to provide financial support for obtaining an apartment. That is the reason why in provinces the government mostly choose the way of providing financial support to owners to buy new apartments. Greater spending is also required for reinforcement in case of 3-degree damaged buildings. At the same time, these costs often exceed the costs of construction of similar building. In such cases the demolition of the building and the resettlement of the population are considered the most appropriate option,” – said Tanya Arzumanyan, the Head of the Housing Fund Management and Utility Infrastructure Department of the Urban Development Committee. The Owners are Responsible for the Maintenance of Their Real Estate From legal point of view, the owners have to take care of the building's maintenance through the management body (condominium) and make accurate payments for the maintenance of their joint property. Building managers, from their side, must carry out relevant property inspection, find the issues and organize appropriate works in accordance with priorities established by the owners and at the expense of the collected amount. Unfortunately, irregular payments of residents on the one hand, and often inefficient activity of property management company on the other hand leads to deterioration of multifamily buildings. The owners of multifamily buildings should be aware, that regular payments and appropriate maintenance of their estate will guarantee a safeness and reliability for their families, which can be possible only through honest execution of their own obligations and rights and through effective cooperation with property management company.

“Prom Expo” company invites you to take part in the 12th largest international specialized exhibition entitled “Construction and Interior” 2019, which will be held on 17-19 May 2019 in YEREVAN EXPO CENTER More than 120 local and foreign organizations from Armenia, Russia, Georgia, Iran and etc., which represent the field, are going to participate in “Construction and Interior” 2019 exhibition and present to a consumer innovations and new technologies. The aim of “Construction and Interior” 2019 is spurring of joint business and investing programs, assisting the investigation of the given sphere and these all has positive effect on the economic growth of the country. The exhibition creates propitious conditions for establishing new business relationships, as well as it contributes the development of small and medium business. In collaboration with the SME Development National Center of Armenia, as Business Cooperation Center of the Enterprise Europe Network in Armenia the Brokerage event/B2B meetings will be organized to promote business cooperation between EU and Armenian companies. It is an excellent opportunity to find business partners in other countries. Thematic divisions: Security systems Banks, loan organizations Cargo carriage Systems of gas – thermal and water supply Doors and windows Exterior and interior design Interior items, furniture, carpet, service Swimming-pools and saunas Lighting technology Green planting Cleaning services and products Projecting Coloring and protecting materials Construction tools and equipment Construction and interior decoration items, technologies Construction, rebuilding services Systems of heating, ventilation Sanitary engineering and white goods Official support of the exhibition: Government of RA Ministry of Economic Development and Investments of RA Ministry of Urban Development of RA Chamber of Commerce & Industry of RA Municipality of Yerevan Organizer: “Prom Expo” LLC:

In Soviet years a program called Dzoragyugh was launched, which was dedicated to creation of ethnographic district. Within the frame of that program Sergei Parajanov's House Museum was rebuilt, and several more buildings on the left side of Hrazdan canyon, upwards the Victory bridge. Yet the project remained unfinished after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The buildings were privatized. One of the partly reconstructed buildings was given to Armenian Apostolic Church. And due to this building undertook Yerevan, My Love Foundation was reopened. In Soviet years the frontal part of the house was built of the bricks taken from demolished monument-house on 12 Molokov street (now Hanrapetutyan street, 3rd lane). The main walls of the building overlooking the canyon were erected on Israelyan street, the fence wall was built of large and porous half honed basalt stones. After the collapse of Soviet Union the construction works were stopped. During theses 30 years the unfinished building has turned into a shelter for homeless people, the residents of adjacent buildings used it as a dump. Arshak Karapetyan, the director of Foundation Yerevan, My Love recalls, that the garbage was removed from the territory with the help of many trucks, “The works that were done during Soviet years had been almost annulled”. The reconstruction of the building is done by Haik Ayvazyan, Chief Architect of ArmProject OJSC and the Head of the Architectural studio. In order to increase the seismic safety of the old building, large and small halls on the first and second floors were arched. To connect with other buildings a glazed balcony was added from the backyard. To increase the seismic stability, the building overlooking the canyon was shifted by 2.5 meters from the edge of the canyon. A wall fence made of half honed basalt stones has been added. The small hanging balconies on the edges were preserved, and a big one was added, which is a continuation of the open roof of the building and creates a beautiful harmony with adjacent buildings. The open roof (300 m²) is a metal frame with wooden coating. It is used for official meetings, outdoor concerts and other events. Entrance leading to the center is gradual. That was a mandatory solution due to terrain relief. The Urban Development Committee has decided to cooperate with the Fund for the reconstruction of buildings that have architectural value, but are in desperate condition. Yet, there are some issues, as the director of the Fund notes, “Most of the buildings of architectural significance are privatized, therefore, purchasing such a building in the center of the city is worth of an entire charity budget. It is necessary to find old buildings that belong to the state, which after the reconstruction will serve to people, implementing social, educational and charitable projects. No profit-making activity in our reconstructed buildings can be held." Today a Rehabilitation Center is open there with comfortable auditoriums, where about 200 children with disabilities or socially insecure conditions can benefit from rehabilitation and study free of charge. Yerevan, My Love Foundation plans to reconstruct the adjacent park near Echmiadzin Cathedral in the coming year and build there a children’s center. Horticulture, cooking, landscape design will be taught at the center. “Now certain construction works are underway on the territory of the Mother See. After finishing them we are going to start the renovation of the park and construction of the building,''- said Arshak Karapetyan. Another building the Fund is going to reconstruct is on the territory of Kond district, near Saint John the Baptist church: ''The project is ready, the budget is available, but we postpone the construction works upon the request of people living in Kond. The houses of the residents living there were demolished, with the condition of getting a home in a new multi-apartment building in the same area. And yet the people did not get their promised homes. They applied twice to The Board of Trustees of Yerevan, My Love Foundation for postponing the construction works. There is no issue with Foundation itself. Simply they are primarily against the launch of any construction work in that area until their apartments are allocated,''- clarifies Arshak Karapetyan.

In August 2018 a meeting was held between the first deputy chairman of Urban Development Committee of RA Armen Ghularyan and Nikolay Davtyan from St. Petersburg, who used to work in Yerevan Subway in 1987-2001 in various responsible positions. During the meeting, Davtyan presented a project for the construction of a new subway station Surmalu between the existing stations Sasuntsi David and Zoravar Andranik. According to the project the new station will be located on the territory of the former cannery. This project, in author’s opinion, will not only help to relieve Sevan street and the adjacent territories of shopping centers Petak and Surmalu, but also will provide an alternative transport mean. But how feasible is its implementation if at a short distance from it there are already two stations, and is it possible, that the project will be a senseless financial expense? It is noteworthy, that according to the information of the State Committee for Urban Development, the submitted project is only a private offer, and nothing is envisaged in this direction. In recent years much is said about the need to expand Yerevan Subway, particularly, about the construction of new stations. It is interesting that the project for the construction of the Surmalu station was proposed after the construction issue of the station Ajapnyak was raised at the state level last year. “According to the master plan, the Yerevan Subway had three directions to expand: I) Ajapnyak direction, II) South-Western district direction, III) going up along Komitas Avenue,”- in one of his interviews noted the architect Gurgen Musheghyan. The construction of Ajapnyak station began in Soviet times. Most of the work was already done, but because of Spitak devastating earthquake in 1988 this and many other projects remained incomplete, and naturally, all the financial resources of that time were sent to the disaster zone for reconstruction works. Yet, in the course of time the enlargement of the capital city led to an increase in the load of the road traffic, therefore, the construction of new subway stations has become a necessity. 30th of August 2017 the Public Council meeting made a decision to recommence the construction of Ajapnyak station. The perennial problem seemed to be solved, but after the Velvet Revolution in May 2018 the issue remained still open. How this process will develop is still unknown. It is noteworthy, that in recent years, some international banks are also interested in the construction of Ajapnyak station. The construction project of Ajapnyak station has its opponents who propose to change the plan and build new tunnels. But this approach is associated not only with huge additional costs, but also entails the problem of concreting the existing tunnels. Taking into account the opportunities of the state budget, the government cannot finance the construction of new directions from scratch, as this will significantly increase the amount of investments. Subway is an environmentally friendly and maximally safe vehicle and it is indispensable, especially during rush hours. An important condition for the proportional development of any city is the availability of transport means, connecting the administrative districts with each other as fast as possible. Back in 1966 the Armenian Government was able to persuade the Moscow authorities to replace the planned construction of underground tram with Yerevan Subway, which was a competent policy from the point of view of capital city development, growth of population, and also on the basis of strategic considerations. The construction of Yerevan Subway became possible only thanks to people very committed to their work and country, and to continue their business is the duty of the present and future generations.

This October administrative district Kanaker-Zeytun of Yerevan will have its own Sport and Fitness complex called Insport. It is located at 8/3 Paruyr Sevak Street in the neighborhood of multi-apartment residential buildings, built within the frame of the project “Affordable housing for young scientists and members of creative unions” by the NGO "Association of YSU Graduates". More and more people today attend gyms, go swimming to strengthen or restore their health. And today it is necessary that every urban community is rich in sport schools and gyms. “There was no health improving sport complex in Zeytun. After the opening of Insport people of this area will be able to go swimming and do physical workout in their own area. Specifically, this area was chosen because the new complex should serve as a place for proper and healthy leisure,” - said David Hayrapetyan, the director of Insport. The total area of the sports complex Insport is 6400 square meters. It has two buildings. The first one is for the administration, gym and dressing rooms. The second one is a one-story building of the same height where the swimming pool will be located. It will fit the Olympic standards – 25 meters in length and 16 meters in width. The swimming pool will be equipped with a modern four-stage filtration system, which excludes chlorination of water. The first building has four floors. In the basement floor there will be two gyms for practicing power sports. There will be also Finnish and oriental saunas. The cardio gym will be on the second floor. There will also be a spa salon for massage and rehabilitation and spa and salt treatments. On the third floor there will be a cabinet for practicing yoga (including antigravity yoga), a children's playroom and a hall for teamwork. An energy-saving solar water heating system with a capacity of 150 KW will be installed on the roof of the building. The complex will operate two parking lots - ground and underground, designed for parking 30 cars. The building structure will guarantee 9 points of earthquake-resistance. The construction work was done by ADA Tech construction company. The complex will be able to serve 120 visitors per hour. The total cost of the complex is 1.72 billion drams (about $ 3.6 million.). At present the interior finishing works are being carried out.