NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF ARMENIA

The scientific topic presented by NUACA “Issues of Reconstruction and Modernization of Residential Development in Yerevan City” is the winner in the contest announced within the framework of contractual (thematic) funding of scientific and scientific-technical activities. The supervisor of the scientific topic is the Professor at the Chair of Architectural Design and Design of Architectural Environment, Doctor of Architecture Karen Azatyan, and the group members are the Head of the Chair of Architectural Design and Design of Architectural Environment, PhD in Technical Sciences Karen Rashidyants, NUACA junior scientific researchers Mariam Kocharyan and Anush Ohanyan.

In a conversation with us, the supervisor of the scientific topic K. Azatyan substantiated the relevance of the topic in the context of both economic and security issues not only for the capital city, but also for the whole Republic. Most of the development in Yerevan was carried out by observing other normative requirements from a seismic point of view. The change of times brings forward new requirements and goals.

Group member K. Rashidyants also emphasized the importance of the topic. Wars, epidemics and other calamities continually take many lives. The earthquake of 1988 took the lives of more than 25,000 people, which made it clear that not all structures in our country meet the relevant construction norms. Residential development needs constant reconstruction and modernization, which is carried out on the principle of continuous research, analysis and predetermination of development prospects. Despite numerous international and local scientific studies in the field, there is insufficient research on the analysis of the current state of residential development in Yerevan, and additional studies are necessary.

K. Azatyan emphasized that the implementation of the topic will focus on the development of a strategy to solve the above-mentioned problem. The aim of the topic is to make a comparative analysis of international and local practice in the reconstruction and modernization of residential development, elaborating scientifically substantiated proposals of practical significance for the further development of this process in Yerevan.

“In the future, it will be possible to introduce the mentioned proposals in the urban development processes implemented by the state and local self-government bodies, making the residential buildings less vulnerable and more durable by applying constructive measures. The

obtained results can also be used in the process of reorganization of residential development in other cities of the Republic, as well as abroad,” noted K. Rashidyants. Before being submitted to the Science Committee, the topic has undergone a long discussion in the Chair. During the University events, the members of the scientific topic group got acquainted in detail with the issues of modernization of the development of housing blocks, and implemented many projects with experienced architects and civil engineers. According to them, the strategy of the work will serve as the basis for the research, outlining the relevant directions. A model of collaborative work has been chosen.

The group includes a specialist with many years of experience in the field, an experienced specialist engaged in active scientific activity and two PhD applicants who are new in the field of science. The topics of their dissertations are part of the aforementioned scientific topic. As it was noted by the young scientific researchers included in the group M. Kocharyan and A. Ohanyan, they have already started the work with great enthusiasm and have an understanding of the tasks set before them. They hold cooperation meetings with specialists in the field and are hopeful that teamwork will definitely produce practical and pivotal results.