Sergo Tonoyan, who heads the Committee for the Protection of Yerevan’s Heritage, today voiced concerns regarding a government urban development plan targeting the Kond neighborhood in the Armenian capital.

The government’s Urban Development Committee (UDC) today unveiled an international competition bid seeking proposals designed to “reinvigorate and improve tourism infrastructure” in the historic neighborhood.

The UDC says it wants to create a working group composed of engineers, urban planners, archaeologists, as well as lawyers, journalists and other specialists that will review and implement any approved project.

Tonoyan told Hetq that the Kond project is yet another attempt by investors to destroy yet another Yerevan neighborhood for private gain.

Tonoyan said that he suspects that the Kond project is spearheaded by Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan and his office.

Tonoyan said that the Kond project backers will argue that Armenia, in the post-war situation, needs to attract foreign investment.

Tonoyan criticized the government for not having an overall urban development plan for Yerevan and are approaching the matter in piecemeal fashion.

He pointed to the failed Firdous urban development plan of last year to bolster his view that greater transparency and long-term planning is needed.