Samvel Avagyan, a specialist in urban affairs, stated today that while there are many urban communities in Armenia that have the potential to grow, the only growth is being registered in the capital, Yerevan. "This is s negative factor, and, I believe, if such a trend continues, many rural lands will fall victim to this expansion, and this is in no way desirable," Mr. Avagyan noted. The specialist also pointed out the fact that only "elite" buildings are being constructed in Yerevan even though there is a crying need for middle-class housing. Mr. Avagyan said that overseas, new housing mainly takes place in the outlying districts of the city and not in the center, and that the exact opposite is occurring today in Yerevan. He argued that this stems from the unique Armenian mentality that seeks to live in the center of town. As a result, there is about a 50% difference in similar housing units in the outlying districts and the downtown area of Yerevan. "Even if we take into the account the potential demand from the diaspora, all that elite new construction taking place cannot be justified," Mr. Avagyan argued, while adding that all the new apartments along Northern Avenue have been sold.