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The relationship between urban development and biodiversity in Armenia was discussed during the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17).
According to a statement from the Urban Development Committee, the committee’s Deputy Chairman Vahan Misakyan and Head of the Architecture Department Levon Arakelyan delivered presentations at a session entitled “Urban Development Procedures”, held at Armenia’s pavilion. They addressed integrated spatial planning as a means of conserving biodiversity and managing land-use changes, outlining the purpose of incorporating mandatory ecological layers into zoning plans and master plans. They stressed the importance of considering biodiversity at the urban planning stage.
A panel discussion followed, with Katja Schaefer, Interregional Adviser at the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), among the participants. Discussions covered prospects for digitalisation in urban development, the use of artificial intelligence tools and projects being implemented jointly with UN-Habitat.
Another panel discussion, organised in cooperation with the Urban Development Committee and UN-Habitat, focused on the pivotal role of cities and local authorities in jointly addressing biodiversity loss and climate change. Erfan Ali, Director of UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, delivered a presentation.
During the panel discussion, Misakyan outlined the committee’s programmes and stressed the importance of developing an urban zoning plan for the coastal sections of Lake Sevan’s catchment basin, as well as Armenia’s general plan for settlement distribution and territorial organisation.
Participants highlighted the importance of jointly pursuing environmental, climate and land restoration objectives through spatial planning, housing provision, multilevel governance, financing and the use of data.