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19 Comments

1. I am in agreement with Mr. Balkhian’s concerns. When I read that there would be swimming pools and other amenities, my first thoughts were: Why do they need these kinds of amenities? Isn’t that just going to make local Armenians jealous and resentful of Syrian-Armenians? And how many of them will be able to afford such apartments? I am a member of an Armenian organization that is helping Syrian Armenians, and my husband is originally from Aleppo, so I am very much in sympathy with their plight. Please do help them, offer them some decent and affordable housing, and allow them to assimilate into the greater Armenian population.

2. Google TED talks – Marcin Jakubowski: Open-sourced blueprints for civilization
   All sort of useful DIY blueprints for Artsakh farmers

3. I see no harm in including a swimming pool and other amenities in a project of this scale, in fact it should be the standard requirement for all new buildings. Just because they didn’t have those amenities in Syria doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have them in Armenia. With any housing project we should think long term, Housing should be about living conditions, the environment, the quality of life and not only putting people in four walls. The solution for those who cannot afford is not to build substandard housing for all but to raise funds so that every Syrian Armenian can have quality housing; and no, it is not going to make local Armenians jealous. I now live in Armenia and I have not seen any resentment towards Syrian Armenians. Local Armenians have not complaint about anything Syrian Armenians receive or achieve. I know locals who use SA businesses to help them to establish. Even in villages in Artsakh where the SA have been helped from the community budget there has been no complaint.

   As regard to ghettoisation I again see no problem in that, if people feel better living in compact communities they should not be discouraged. I think for the first generation they will feel more comfortable to continue their traditional way of life and the new generation will integrate anyway. They will mix with the locals in schools, colleges, work places, and social events. So let’s wish them all a good life in Armenia and do everything we can to help them meet their housing, and employment needs. I have no doubt with some serious support from diaspora SAs will succeed in Armenia and make a significant contribution to the economy of Armenia as well.

4. One more relevant TED talk – Alastair Parvin: Architecture for the people by the people
   wikiHouses for Artsakh!!

   • Dear Mr. Serge Abrahamian,

     I am a Syrian-Armenian and I have lived in Armenia for the last three years (I moved there before the Syrian Conflict started). Though I completely agree that the objective of any housing project should be long term and ensure proper living conditions for Syrian-Armenians in Armenia, nonetheless, there are major flaws with this current project.

     1- I personally don’t believe that the amenities proposed in this project are essential aspects of the so-called “Proper Living Conditions”.
     2- I don’t believe Syrian-Armenians should be granted better living conditions than local Armenians, who struggle every day to survive in a terrible economic environment.
     3- Since the proponents of the project are presenting the “New Aleppo” plan as a relief project to foreign governments and organizations, then they should not be shocked if they receive no funding or very little from it (considering those amenities).
     4- If such amenities are neccissary to ensure “quality of life” as you propose, and you believe that it is possible to raise between $22-30 million for such a plan (so that it becomes inclusive), then once that money is raised, the government should simply make a deal with Mr. Vahakn Hovnanian and purchase apartment buildings and houses for Syrian Armenians at the Vahakni Neighborhood (in order to hasten the process of providing homes to Syrian-Armenians rather than go through years of construction).
     5- Though local Armenians for the most part have been terrific towards Syrian-Armenians, however there is a growing level of resentment towards the preferential treatment Syrian-Armenians are receiving. Though I do not want to believe that the incident depicted in this video “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKiuauuck2I” is the direct result of such resentments (After all, these types of incidents happen all the time in Armenia amongst the local population), nonetheless, if more projects such as the “New Aleppo” plan, in its current format are developed and implemented, then I would not be surprised if the level of resentment increases.
     6- Finally, on the issue of “Ghettoization”, I believe we can simply agree to disagree.

     Thank you for your input. Criticism are always welcome.

     Sincerely,

     Sarkis Balkhian

     Ps. Thank you for everyone’s comments, compliments, criticisms and ideas.

5. swimming pools a not bad not bad at all dont forget to put some tennis courts after all they are foreigners not like us just a Armenians

6. Bravo Sarkis. This was a very balanced, sober and informative article. For a moment I thought your work was going to be just another one of the poisonous Armenia-bashing articles that are so prevalent these days in Diasporan circles. So, thank you for taking the highroad and thank you for not blindly doing the corrosive work of Western propagandists. And I fully share your concerns about Syrian-Armenians not doing enough to integrate into life in Armenia. However, this problem is not unique to Syrian-Armenians. It’s a problem most Western Armenian Diasporans have. Just think, we Diasporans do our best to integrate into every Western/European society we live in, but for some reason, when it comes to Armenia we all of a sudden want to preserve our “Western Armenian” heritage. As an American-Armenian I can tell you that a vast majority of Diasproan Armenains here encourage their children to interact with Americans and speak English. These same people would not dare utter a word in “Russified” Eastern Armenian and they, at least in their minds, look down on Hayastantsis.

   Anyway, with healthy and constructive activism, I think the situation of Syrian-Armenians in Armenia will gradually improve.

7. I second the “no resentment” comment. Nobody here feels any ill-will towards Syrian-Armenians. If anything they try to help their brothers and sisters in whichever way they can. Many Syrian-Armenian businesses are very popular with the locals and they try to support them with their patronage as much as possible.

8. A tangential nitpick. A playground, trees and greenery, and even a tennis court are important to have. But I think children should not have to cross the parking and car path to get there. I’m picturing kids crossing to get there and someone driving around the corner of the parking area. There should be a walkway from the doors of the apartment to the park and playground.

   Many buildings in Yerevan have a courtyard behind them, some with trees and even old soviet era playgrounds. This is something Yerevan and other cities should renovate and improve. Trees and some open spaces are good for the mind. You look out the back of the building and you don’t see traffic but something calming. Just a thought.

9. This project is simply a way to misuse another $30 million for real estate in Armenia, that is already “overheated” with investments.

   $30 million for only 30 apartments is simply nonsense.

   One can easily buy 1000 2 room apartments in Yerevan or 1000 Houses with at least 1000qm land in cities near the place where this Housing is planed to be build…

   The house construction mafia in Armenia already 10 years misusing all the resources that diaspora invests into Armenia and this mafia is supported at highest level.

   One can see on last days the “discussions” between present prime-minister and previous president of Armenia about “who was guilty for pulverising money and generating so much mortgage debts”…

   This is another pulverisation of money

   • Dear Voter,

     I just wanted to correct you, it’s not $30 million for 30 apartments, but rather apartment buildings. Just so no one gets the wrong idea.

     Respectfully,

     Sarkis

10. I know a place not far a way where one could get for tenth 1/10 of the money ($300t) 5 Houses with almost a hectare land (10000qm) with fruit bearing trees: apricot,plum,pie,grapes etc and for that one will not need to spend a month to get the keys for the house…

11. There are all kinds of housing opportunities in Artsagh.

12. What is so wrong with preserving western Armenian culture, esp the language, in Armenia. After all, the government propagates the concept of “One People, One Homeland”; or is this just rhetoric?

    • Dear Tikatinsi,

      I am in favor of preserving the western Armenian culture, esp the language. However, Syrian-Armenians and for that matter, any Diasporan Armenian who moves to Armenia, has to integrate one way or another or else he/she will leave again.

      During the process of integration, they will not only assimilate with the local Armenian population, but also introduce certain Western Armenian values (that are needed) to the local Armenian population.

      However, especially in the case of Syrian-Armenians, if they pursue strategies of isolating themselves from the local population, then they will never come to terms with the idea of permanently settling in Armenia, and will always look for opportunities to leave (which is not the long term plan of our nation, as far as I know).

      As for your statement/question: ” I’d like to ask all these diaspora Armenians pooh-pahing swimming pools, tennis courts, etc. What would it take for you to leave your comfy suburban lifestyles and move to Armenia – just a room somewhere and an electric heater to cook your food?” I COMPLETELY Agree with you.

      Sincerely,

      Sarkis

13. BTW, I’d like to ask all these diaspora Armenians pooh-pahing swimming pools, tennis courts, etc. What would it take for you to leave your comfy suburban lifestyles and move to Armenia – just a room somewhere and an electric heater to cook your food?

14. Bravo Mr. Balkhian! Remarkable

15. is the sweemingpool the thig they ask or need? or is it a way to fill the pockets of the local officials.

16. Non Shocking: #NewAleppo neighborhood plan is on the verge of #failure. Where did everything go wrong? http://medialab.am/news/id/5467

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