Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the Urban Development Committee and got acquainted with the performance report 2022 of the Committee.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Ministers Mher Grigoryan and Tigran Khachatryan, Head of the State Supervision Service Romanos Petrosyan, Chairman of the Urban Development Committee Armen Ghularyan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister Bagrat Badalyan, Deputy Minister of Finance Vahan Sirunyan, the leadership of the Committee, and other officials.

The progress and results of the activities of the Urban Development Committee were reported to the Prime Minister. In particular, the works carried out during the previous year in the fields of architecture and urban development, construction policy, management of housing stock and utility infrastructure, capital construction projects, introduction of modern technologies in the field and other directions were presented. Nikol Pashinyan was also presented with the works to be carried out in 2023-2024.

It was reported that in terms of architecture and urban development, the issue of ensuring the entire territory of Armenia with spatial planning documents by 2024 has been solved by almost 70%. The conceptual documents resulting from the micro-regional planning document aimed at the complex development of settlements and the creation of new poles of growth are being developed. It was noted that within the framework of the measures, preparations are being made for the development of the general program of resettlement of Armenia, the deadline of which is 2024, but taking into account the importance of the document, the works have already started.

According to the report, in terms of architecture and urban planning, a document regulating the large-scale construction works carried out in the republic, the order of the territory planning project, is being developed, which is aimed at drawing up a document aimed at the joint solution of problems and taking into account the needs of the public, excluding local-episodic solutions.

It was emphasized that works are also being carried out in the direction of clarifying and tightening the legal regulations, in order to prevent inappropriate interventions in the environment created during the construction works currently being carried out in the capital and to protect the center of the capital from overloading and ensure balanced development.

Currently, the process of development, localization and modernization of the regulatory and technical system is underway. It was noted that the system of normative and technical documents is one of the main tools of the state for the regulation of urban development activities. In 2022, 20 normative and technical documents were approved and put into use. The developed norms refer to the following directions considered as priority by the government: civil defense structures, increasing energy efficiency, school and preschool institutions, hydro technical and road structures, safety techniques in construction, including the organization of construction sites.

In the framework of the presented measures, it was also reported on the modernization of the construction pricing methodology, the approval and application of the list of multiple-use projects, the possibilities of introducing new technologies and materials in construction, ensuring the legal basis for increasing the reliability and seismic resistance of buildings and structures, implementation of urban development projects in the most dangerous landslides, ensuring the accessibility of a number of important facilities for persons with disabilities. There was also reference to the process of introducing the passport system of buildings and constructions, to the reforms of the licensing process.

Presenting the work on housing stock issues, it was noted that during the reporting period, the concept of reforming the housing stock management system was developed, the rules for the maintenance, operation and modernization of multi-apartment buildings were developed and approved.

There was a reference to the shacks installed after the earthquake, the decision recording the approaches and priorities of the government on which has been adopted. According to the decision, in 2023, approval of lists, budget planning and implementation of works that do not require financing will be carried out.

During the reporting period, the Committee also developed a State Assistance Program for Energy Efficient Renovations, which subsidizes interest rates on renovation loans. 1245 loans were provided under the program in 2022, with a portfolio of about 2.6 billion AMD. The amount of subsidy was 40 million AMD.

Regarding the progress of capital programs, it was reported that over the course of 3 years, there was a 6-fold increase in allocations, and their sectoral proportions are entirely based on the priorities set by the Government Action Plan, namely, the building, reconstructing and renovating 300 schools, 500 kindergartens and 50 health facilities.

Regarding the works carried out in the direction of introducing modern technologies in the sector, it was reported that from January 1, 2022, design and construction permits in the enlarged communities of Nairi in Kotayk Province, Echmiadzin in Armavir Province, Masis in Ararat Province and Vanadzor in Lori Province will be provided exclusively electronically, through the e-Permits system.

The principle of determining the amount of fines applied in case of non-completion of construction in time has been regulated. Administrative measures for non-compliance with demolition permit requirements have been provided.

The website of the Committee has been upgraded, which includes a search system for normative and technical documents, as well as a map of capital expenditure programs implemented by the government.

Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized the importance of providing the entire territory of Armenia with spatial planning documents by 2024 and emphasized that it is of strategic importance. The Prime Minister added that this will contribute to the overall development of the urban development sector. Nikol Pashinyan also emphasized the digitization of building permits and other services. Referring to the projects implemented in different communities, the Prime Minister emphasized the paving of sidewalks and parks with stones. "Our task should be increasing the efficiency of capital expenditures, including through the introduction of new project management mechanisms," said Nikol Pashinyan. The Prime Minister also emphasized the implementation of consistent steps in the direction of management of landslide zones, maintenance of accessibility standards in public buildings.