16th congress of union of architects starts in Yerevan

Members of the Union will discuss the work done in the last five years, as well as the current urban planning processes in the country, the Chairman of the Union Mkrtich Minasian reported.

On the second day of the congress, Saturday, a new chairman and a new Council of the Union will be selected to take measures for reforming the activities of the organization, Minasian said.

He reported his intention to nominate himself for chairman election and added that under Armenia’s law about cultural associations, the new chairman of the union will be elected for two years.

The Chief Architect of Yerevan Samvel Danielian, in his turn, stressed the importance of the congress as the previous congress was held five years ago. During this time intense construction is under way and essential changes occurred in the city leading to new professional issues to be discussed and studied, the Chief Architect said.

According to Danielian, further joint actions need to be clarified in the field of architecture as along with major state design institutions private organizations and certain licensed architects work in the city.

“The congress of the Union should provide answers to a number of important questions, including those on integration and globalization,” Danielian said.

The Union of Architects of Armenia was founded in 1937. It has more than 700 members. Among other associations from 130 countries the Union has been a full member of the International Association of Architects since 1999. --0—