September 1, 2021, Geghard
Since the revolution, there have been developments regarding the idea of building a new city. First, it has begun to be widely discussed by citizens, especially on social media, and by the press. In addition, the Government is discussing a project to relocate universities outside Yerevan and build a new city campus.
During that period, Hovsep Khurshudyan, President of the “Free Citizen” NGO, organized several online and in-person discussions with a group of interested participants from various professions. By the way, the newly appointed Minister of High Technologies, Vahagn Khachatryan, also participated in one of the meetings.
A week ago, Hovsep Khurshudyan also organized a jeep-based scientific expedition to one of the potential sites for a new city in the foothills of the Geghama Mountains.
Below are the results of that scientific expedition.
It took place on August 24. Trdat, Sosi, Voskehat, Robert, Levon, Samvel, Hrant, Andranik (who was also the driver), and Hovsep participated.
The participants in the scientific expedition rated it very effective, pleasant, and even “brilliant”.
Attached are maps of the route along which the scientific expedition passed.
The first map also shows altitude marks, which will be useful when founding a new city, since both the climate and the pressure change with altitude. In other words, it will also be important to consider this for human habitation.
The participants discovered two wide plateaus on which the city could be built. One is directly on the “upper floor” of Geghard, which is visible on the altitude line at 2373 points. On the other map, this place is visible immediately to the right of the words “Kotayk Province”. The other place is in a higher area, almost directly adjacent to the Vishapakars, near Vishapalchi. It seems the mood was more toward the lower area. And the upper part, adjacent to the lake, is for a summer sports base.
It was a wonderful view from both Masis and Sis, which were visible from behind the left slopes, although only the outlines were visible due to the fog on those days, but the splendor did not diminish from this.
From the lower area, the Garni Temple was also visible with binoculars, and from the very edge of the canyon, which was called Ditaket, the Geghard Canyon with the Geghard Monastery.
This is an extraordinary place to build a new city, although the scientific expedition is still evaluating other sites for comparison. The next expedition will be announced in advance to the group; those who wish to join will be able to do so.
Some ideas to address climate challenges were also proposed, but a more comprehensive conceptual report will be presented on the overarching concept and the scientific campaign.
