Category: 2022

Russia seriously concerned over the escalation of situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border – Russian MFA

Emil Lazarian

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 19:21,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Russia is seriously concerned about the escalation of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and calls for refraining from the use of force, ARMENPRESS reports the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said during the briefing, referring to the provocations carried out by the Azerbaijani side on January 11.

"We are seriously concerned about the aggravation of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. We urge the parties to refrain from the use of force and to resolve all disputed issues exclusively through political and diplomatic means," Zakharova said.

According to her, in the long run, the main "prescription" for ensuring stability and security in the region is the speedy start of the delimitation process, which will be followed by demarcation. Zakharova reminded that this was recorded in the joint statement of the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan made in Sochi last year.

She stressed the need to work on the establishment of a relevant bilateral commission, assuring that Russia is ready to provide comprehensive consulting assistance.

On January 11, the units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces once again provoked, opened fire on the Armenian military positions located in the Upper Shorzha section of Gegharkunik region, and a shootout started. 3 Armenian servicemen were killed.




As the CSTO presiding country, Armenia played a key role in making all the document-related decisions: Shoygu to Putin

Babken Chilingarian

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 19:42,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu, during which the Minister presented the activities of the CSTO peacekeeping force in Kazakhstan, ARMENPRESS reports, citing the official website of the Kremlin, Shoygu stressed that Armenia, as the CSTO presiding country, should have played a key role in making all the document-related decisions and it did it.

In due time and in a very short period, the CSTO peacekeeping forces were deployed in Kazakhstan, taking control of 14 objects of special importance.

"Those are objects responsible for ensuring communication, energy, state vitality and efficiency. At the request of the Kazakh leadership and on your instructions, a number of facilities have been taken under control, which would pose a serious threat if the terrorists took control of them," Shoygu said.

"We have confirmed the decision to withdraw troops step by step and hand over the objects to Kazakhstan. Withdrawal starts today. Tomorrow we will withdraw the peacekeeping forces of our partners – Armenia, Tajikistan and Belarus – by 14 planes. It is planned to complete all the work on January 19," he added.

Vladimir Putin noted that the CSTO peacekeeping forces have played a very important role in stabilizing the situation in Kazakhstan.

"It is very important that the situation was resolved with the help of the CSTO. This was, in fact, the first such operation by the CSTO forces. With joint efforts we solved a very important problem. We were able to quickly concentrate all the necessary forces and resources. Everything worked like a clock: fast, organized and efficient," he added.

It will not be possible to cast a shadow on the activities of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno Karabakh. Zakharova

Christine Harutyunian

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 19:50,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova assures that it will not be possible to cast a shadow on the activities of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno Karabakh, ARMENPRESS reports Zakharova said in a briefing, referring to the remark that the Azerbaijani armed forces recently made another provocation in Artsakh direction, opening fire including in the direction of civil population and to the opinion that by that and other similar provocations the Azerbaijani side tries to cast shadow in the Russian peacekeeping mission in Artsakh.

"Even if someone wants to cast a shadow on our peacekeepers, they will not succeed. Their work is clear, it is for the benefit of crisis management," Zakharova said.

On January 10, the Azerbaijani side made another provocation, targeting a number of civilian objects and civilians in a number of communities in Artsakh. For example, from the positions near the Karmir Shuka settlement in the Martuni region, the Azeri servicemen opened fire irregularly in the direction of the village, as a result of which the car belonging to a civilian parked near the kindergarten burned.




All the necessary steps are being taken to return the shepherd who appeared on the Azerbaijani side – MoD

Babken Chilingarian

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 20:05,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The resident of Tegh community of Syunik region took the s flock to a pasture and appeared on the Azerbaijani side, ARMENPRESS reports the information about this was confirmed by the Ministry of Defense of Armenia in a conversation with .

 The Defense Ministry assured that all necessary steps are being taken to return the shepherd.

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1072911.html?fbclid=IwAR1jgbmwDNGWM6OmI9pKWu9x2r3ZCmnZUY9pa8EjdpWtVUTg_nQLiHYiLbc

Armenpress: PM Pashinyan had a working dinner with the heads of banks

Arpi Talalian

PM Pashinyan had a working dinner with the heads of banks

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 21:44,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan had a working dinner with heads of banks, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and Chairman of the Central Bank Martin Galstyan also participated in the working dinner.

Nikol Pashinyan stressed that in crisis situations, the Armenian banking system has been able to overcome trials with a clear policy and maintain stable activity. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the continuous development of the banking system will contribute to the further progress of the country's economy.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the further development of the banking sector and the implementation of the priorities of the Government.

MVRDV unveils Armenian masterplan named after first human to orbit Earth

Emil Lazarian
ARCHINECT
Jan 12 2022
By Niall Patrick Walsh

Agro center. Image: MVRDV

MVRDV has unveiled its vision for a major masterplan in the Gagarin Valley in Armenia. The 34,000-hectare area is home to 11,000 people spread across several villages, with about one-third of the landscape consisting of patches of land owned by the local community. MVRDV’s masterplan seeks to make the area “more sustainable and ecological diverse” through the planting of 10,000 plant species, and 12,000 new housing units.

Farming infrastructure. Image: MVRDV

Under the plans, the existing mosaic of 10,000 existing plots will be preserved and reinforced, while the water systems will be enhanced through the addition of canals, public paths, and greenery along the network. Existing roads will continue to form a starting point for connecting the villages, with new walking and cycling infrastructure added.

Bird's eye view. Image: MVRDV

“The area is named after Yuri Gagarin, who was the first human to orbit the earth; he saw the planet’s vulnerability, a house in need of extra care, as many other astronauts have since stressed,” said MVRDV founding partner Winy Maas. “I share that concern: stimulating biodiversity, improving water management and the ecosystem is of great importance for the future of the Gagarin Valley and the world. The valley can be seen as a series of test fields for the 10,000 species that will soon flourish there, an enrichment that will give the area the appearance of a garden of Eden.”

Food market. Image: MVRDV

Existing buildings in the villages, some dating from Soviet times, will be upgraded in order to reduce building waste. Traditional Armenian farmhouses will form the inspiration for newly built homes, overlaid with green vegetated roofs and designed to attract a younger demographic.

Residential village. Image: MVRDV

The patchwork of 10,000 gardens comprising the valley will remain, with some hosting new cultural and agricultural facilities including a market hall, commercial center, a center for the arts, and a 4500-capacity sunken stadium. At the heart of the valley, an educational agricultural center signifies the area of highest density in the masterplan, surrounded by houses stacked to form vertical villages.

Residential village. Image: MVRDV

“We designed a sphere that acts as mini-planet, where the classrooms surround a spherical void and where all the species of the valley and beyond are shown and monitored,” Maas added. “The sphere will be surrounded by a central park that contains all the species – a scientific arboretum, reflected in the mirroring sphere. Gagarin would have loved it, I think.”

River infrastructure. Image: MVRDV

The masterplan will now be developed in consultation with local parties. The project was commissioned by the DAR Foundation for Regional Development and Competitiveness, an Armenian non-profit organization.

Birds eye view. Image: MVRDV

The scheme follows a string of recent MVRDV projects unveiled to the public. In December of last year, the firm used recycled champagne bottles to create a new façade for Bulgari in Shanghai. In November, the firm revealed their refurbished factory for the Vanke Research Center in Shenzhen, as well as an O-shaped mixed-use apartment complex in Mannheim, Germany.

MVRDV’s reveals plans for ‘visionary valley of Eden’ in Armenia

Greg Madatian
Design Boom
Jan 12 2022

 

MVRDV has announced its plans to transform an existing valley in armenia into a base for sustainable agriculture and ecotourism. gagarin valley is already inhabited by around 11,000 inhabitants across several villages but this ambitious masterplan will add 12,000 new housing units, 10,000 plant species, and a host of innovative facilities such as a spherical building for agricultural education at the heart of the valley.

 

the massive project was commissioned by the armenian non-profit organisation DAR foundation for regional development and competitiveness, and MVRDV’s proposal was unveiled on tuesday (january 11th, 2022) to armenian government officials. 

image © MVRDV

 

 

named after cosmonaut yuri gagarin, gagarin valley is situated in armenia’s mountainous highlands, close to lake sevan and just only 50 km from the capital yerevan. the landscape comprises a patchwork of different plots of land across a 34,000-hectare area.

 

the goal of this project, developed by MVRDV and local partners, is to make the valley an attractive destination for both future residents and ecotourists—in line with armenia’s aim to attract 2.5 million tourists a year by 2026.

the agro center will be located at the heart of the valley

 

 

MVRDV’s proposal begins by preserving and reinforcing the 10,000 plots and the existing roads in the valley. a network of walking and cycling paths will then be added to connect all the villages. the plans also include planting different species on each plot to make the landscape visually more attractive and stimulate economic diversity.

 

water management will be improved with the restoration and enlargement of the route of the hrazdan river, a new canal system, water reservoirs in the mountains, and other water sources to irrigate farmland. canals, public paths and greenery will also be inserted along boundary lines to improve the water system. 

 

‘the area is named after yuri gagarin, who was the first human to orbit the earth; he saw the planet’s vulnerability, a house in need of extra care, as many other astronauts have since stressed. I share that concern: stimulating biodiversity, improving water management and the ecosystem is of great importance for the future of the gagarin valley and the world,’ says MVRDV founding partner winy maas. ‘the valley can be seen as a series of test fields for the 10,000 species that will soon flourish there, an enrichment that will give the area the appearance of a garden of eden.’ 

stacked vertical villages will have green roofs

 

 

as for the architecture, MVRDV proposes to transform existing buildings—some of which date from the soviet era—into new buildings to reduce material wastage. traditional armenian farmhouses will form the inspiration for the newly built homes, to which green, vegetated roofs will be added. this new future and the innovative, sustainable housing will make the valley attractive for different target groups and make the area attractive again for young armenians.

existing buildings, some from soviet times, will be transformed to waste as little building material as possible

 

the proposed facilities include a market hall, a commercial center, a center for the arts, and a sunken stadium for 4,500 visitors. the heart of the valley will be formed by an educational agricultural center, around which the highest density can be found, with houses stacked to form vertical villages.

 

‘we designed a sphere that acts as mini-planet, where the classrooms surround a spherical void and where all the species of the valley and beyond are shown and monitored’, adds maas. ‘the sphere will be surrounded by a central park that contains all the species – a scientific arboretum, reflected in the mirroring sphere. gagarin would have loved it, I think.’



10,000 different species will be planted in the valley



project info:

 

name: gagarin valley

location: gagarin, armenia

year: 2022
client: DAR foundation for regional development and competitiveness
size and program: 33,828 hectares – agricultural & eco-tourism masterplan, housing 35,000 residents (11,000 current residents + 24,000 newcomers)

architect: MVRDV
founding partner in charge: winy maas
director: enno zuidema
design team: emilie koch, chun hoi hui, luisa correa de oliveira, nahid aghaie tabrizi, dirco kok, amrei gutmann, tasos antonopoulos, hadi boudouch
sustainability advisor: daniel de witte
strategy and development: elija kozak
copyright: MVRDV winy maas, jacob van rijs, nathalie de vries

 

partners:
client team: DAR foundation for regional development and competitiveness (arsen aghajanyan, margarita gevorgyan, sarhat petrosyan, ani aghajanyan, aram gharibyan, nune manukyan, arevik abrahamyan, alvard avetisyan, hayk bianjyan, vladimir bianjyan, seda grigoryan, angelika tamaryan, anahit nahapetyan)
water management: deltares (begona arellano jaimerena, perry de louw)

visualizations: A2 studio (rafal hanski)
economic consultant: CIVITTA armenia
terms of reference: storaket architectural studio
tangible heritage research: mazaz expedition team
intangible heritage research: hazarashen armenian center for ethnographic research
biodiversity research: armen gasparyan, ivan gabrielyan, arthur alaverdyan, vasil ananyan

hydrological research: alexander arakelyan
GIS creation: artak piloyan
model assistants: varant yessaye hadjian, marat mayilyan, ani avetisyan, gayane aramyan, liparit atabekyan, isabella harutyunyan, grigor nalchajyan

For more photos, go to 

Architects Unveil Vision For Self-Sufficient Valley In Armenia

Anna Tamamian
Yahoo! UK
Jan 12 2022
Cover Media
Wed, , 7:02 pm·2-min read

Netherlands-based architecture firm MVRDV have unveiled their vision for a self-sufficient valley in Armenia.

MVRDV was commissioned by the Armenian non-profit organisation DAR Foundation for Regional Development and Competitiveness to develop a design that will make the 34,000-hectare area more sustainable and ecologically diverse.

In the Gagarin Valley, 10,000 plant species will soon flourish on as many plots. With the help of innovative facilities and future-proof housing that will add 12,000 new housing units, the valley will become an ideal base for sustainable agriculture and ecotourism and welcome a new generation of residents.

Armenia's Gagarin Valley is located near Lake Sevan, the largest lake in the Caucasus and only 50 kilometres from the capital Yerevan. Surrounded by mountains, roughly 11,000 inhabitants live in several villages spread throughout the valley.

MVRDV founding partner Winy Maas: "The area is named after Yuri Gagarin, who was the first human to orbit the earth; he saw the planet’s vulnerability, a house in need of extra care, as many other astronauts have since stressed. I share that concern: stimulating biodiversity, improving water management and the ecosystem is of great importance for the future of the Gagarin Valley and the world.”

The landscape consists of a patchwork of different pieces of land, of which the local community owns about one third. Commissioned by the DAR Foundation for Regional Development and Competitiveness, MVRDV designed a vision for the area in which the potential of the valley is optimised and various facilities are added. The ambition, which will be realised in consultation with local parties, is to turn the valley into a versatile and future-proof landscape that is suitable for sustainable agriculture on various scales.

Maas adds: “The valley can be seen as a series of test fields for the 10,000 species that will soon flourish there, an enrichment that will give the area the appearance of a garden of Eden.”

It is hoped Gagarin Valley must become a more attractive place to live in, as well as an area for ecotourism and recreation, serving as a destination for people to walk, hike, cycle, and ride horses. By 2026, the country aims to attract some 2.5 million tourists a year, to which the transformed Gagarin Valley will make a significant contribution.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/architects-unveil-vision-self-sufficient-170232063.html 

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