Value added as a tool in participatory approach to urban rehabilitation projects. a case study in Yerevan

Abstract

In the conditions of ever growing urbanization and continuous societal transformations as well as the increasing prominence of the sustainability agenda the issue of urban quality is subject to prior consideration worldwide (Brenner and Schmid, 2015). As acknowledged by Healey (1997), it is difficult to avoid the impact of economic restructuring on the landscape and social and economic life of many cities which were used to grow within certain economic structure and also supported by the state. In many post-socialist countries, the issue is even more pressing due to existing urban decay as a result of major institutional transformations, economic crisis and political discrepancies. In particular, the collapse of the socialist system in these countries was followed by a number of economic, social and legal reforms, due to which the land and property ownership in most of the countries has been transferred from public to private sector. However, in most cases the state transferred to private hands not only the ownership to the property but also the problems related to the quality of that property as well as the responsibility for its further maintenance. The issue has a specific importance with regard to multi-unit housing since the latter occupies the largest share of urban fabric in many countries worldwide, and in majority of post-socialist countries in particular.