“Restoration of a Cultural Heritage Hub in Areni and Surrounding Villages”

The concept competition was announced within the framework of the Local Economy and Infrastructure Development (LEID) program.

The purpose of the agreement was to develop a management plan for the Areni community in cooperation with the Italian consulting organization ARS Progetti, including detailed architectural and engineering designs, as well as environmental and social management plans for each site. The goal is to improve infrastructure, define attractions for visitors, and transform Areni settlement into a wine tourism hub along Armenia’s tourist routes.

The actual services provided within the scope of the agreement were:

– To provide an overview and approach for the development of the Areni hub, including an architectural design, methodology, and further advancement of the cluster together with neighboring settlements.

– To identify the most attractive tourism clusters within the hub (cultural heritage/wine tourism and ecotourism/adventure tourism), and to create schemes/trail maps defining the most appealing sites that can offer tourists diverse and rich experiences.

– Restoration of the old/central area of Areni and surrounding villages, revival of heritage, including the restoration of communal facilities, public spaces, parks, and old buildings in the style of traditional (vernacular) architecture.

– Comprehensive restoration of cultural heritage structures, such as churches and museums (urban landscape, public parking areas, souvenir shops, and public transport).

– Development of incentive measures to involve the private business sector in investing in the region and expanding tourism-related businesses.

– Development of solutions for road routes and signage, as well as information systems for hiking trails.

– Development of a model for capacity building and workforce skills enhancement.

– Development of proposals that will have minimal impact on the natural and cultural landscapes, aiming to avoid land acquisition or relocation. Ensuring the community is equipped with a sustainable ecological system, integrating natural drainage, water reuse, energy-efficient power supply, implementing waste reduction and recycling/reuse strategies, and developing a special transport strategy suitable for tourists and pedestrians.

Armenia Territorial Development Fund, State Committee for Tourism