Yerevan Municipality has not ensured the promised green area

Residents of Yerevan often complain of the lack of green space in the city, and Yerevan Municipality also admits this problem. However, as is often the case, the developed programs remain on paper, and the green space per resident in Yerevan does not meet international norms yet.

Program and reality

During the working meeting at Yerevan Municipality on May 2, 2017, Mayor Taron Margaryan noted, “During the recent years, we have been able to expand the green areas of the capital. But it is still not enough. We should work day and night to get the result we all want”. However, figures show a different picture about the expansion of green areas in the capital”.

Thus, according to the 2014-2017 program, it was envisaged to increase the green areas of common use from 7-8 m² to 12-14 m² per capita.  In response to the written inquiry send by our organization in November 2017, the municipality informs that the green area per capita makes up 7-8 m², i.e. the same as in 2014.

Inconsistencies

It is worth noting that there are some inconsistencies in the data provided in response to our inquiry and in the official website data. Thus, if we consult the official website, we will see that the total area of green space in Yerevan has increased by about 10 ha compared to 2014, while according to the provided information, the increase has made up 20 ha, which anyway is not sufficient.

Note that the 2014-2017 program envisaged to make the area of green space of common use 880 ha. Though, as mentioned, there is some progress, the current area of common green space is lower than the expected indicator, making up 862 ha.

Proper implementation of conservation and increase of green space is obtaining a greater significance in the face of illegal tree felling and fire alarms. Heavy traffic, construction works continuing in the city make the air condition of Yerevan and surrounding areas even worse, endangering the health of the city population.