Goght Urban Valley: The First Smart City on the Historic Site of Armenian Kings
Goght Urban Valley is a pioneering smart city, blending urban culture with an eco-friendly environment, situated just 33 kilometers from the Armenian capital.
It is fitting that this innovative city will rise in a region steeped in ancient history. When Argishti I, the powerful king of Urartu, annexed this area to the Armenian kingdom, he began its active development. Over time, the region’s unique natural and climatic conditions made it a favored summer residence for Armenian kings.
A Modern Oasis Amidst Historic Splendor
Situated in a rich historical and cultural setting at the foot of the Khosrov Reserve, with stunning views of Mount Ararat, Goght Urban Valley promises to blend the old with the new seamlessly. The project's developers assure residents and visitors alike that the infrastructure will rival that of major cities. Planned amenities include a cultural center, an amphitheater, a co-working space, restaurants, shops, boutiques, a cigar club, a wine store, a conference hall, and a hotel.
But that's just the beginning. This "Wonder City" will be surrounded by 55 hectares of green space, feature 20,000 fruit trees, and include a recreational and walking area alongside an artificial pond.
In an interview with the “Novosti-Armenia” agency, the Goght Urban Valley project team explained why now is the time to relocate from the dusty, polluted, and congested streets of Yerevan to this emerging Miracle City.
Winning Location and Uniqueness of the Project
Anna Urnova, a key participant in the Goght Urban Valley project and former advisor to the mayor of Moscow with extensive experience in international corporations, expressed her enthusiasm for working on unique and complex projects.
“One should erect a monument to anyone who engages in innovation and sets new standards. This project involves people who think outside the box, viewing it not as another high-density development but as an opportunity to create a comfortable living environment,” said Urnova.
According to Urnova, the premium housing projects currently available in Armenia cannot compare to Goght Urban Valley.
“From the outset, the team committed to allocating 30% of the territory for landscaping and recreational areas. The core principles of the project include environmental sustainability, minimal human impact, and the preservation of fruit trees,” Urnova emphasized.
Another crucial aspect, she noted, is the initial planning of leisure and service-social infrastructure, transforming the project into a "five-minute" city. This means creating a suburban area where all necessary services are accessible within a short distance, catering to the needs of women, men, children, and teenagers alike.
“The architecture and spatial design will be intricately tied to the history of the place and the natural landscape,” Urnova specified.
She highlighted the importance of establishing a cultural center, envisioned as the heart of village life and open to visitors. This center will feature hotel and restaurant complexes, as well as various leisure facilities, including exhibition areas, art spaces, an open-air cinema, and more.
“This project integrates the space, history, and heritage of the territory, creating numerous viewpoints and distributing functions across the area. It’s about working with both the soul and body to create a comfortable life,” Urnova explained.
She also pointed out that the shift in attitudes towards online work following the coronavirus pandemic makes the advanced conference room, co-working space, and high-speed internet in Goght Urban Valley particularly valuable, enabling residents to work remotely while enjoying a comfortable living environment.
"The distinctive features of the project include the complete absence of amusement rides, minimal use of asphalt, strategic lighting for enhanced safety, and open-air screenings of movies and sporting events. We also organize Christmas trees and an ice skating rink. For the first time in Armenia, we offer a variety of outdoor services where everyone can find something to enjoy," Urnova stated.
She added that the Goght Urban Valley project stands out from its global counterparts due to its favorable location, numerous scenic viewpoints, and proximity to the capital. Such a unique combination can perhaps only be found in Switzerland or the Italian countryside.
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure Framed by Historical Monuments
Arev Samuelian, a Candidate of Architecture Design and former Deputy Minister of Culture of Armenia, emphasized the significant advantage of Goght Urban Valley's proximity to Yerevan. The commute from Urban Valley to the center of the capital will take just 30-40 minutes.
She noted that the village of Goght dates back to the 13th century and has preserved unique architectural monuments. Within walking distance is the Avuts Tar Monastery, and nearby are the complex of cave churches at Geghard and the pagan temple of Garni, both of which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Samuelian also pointed out that Goght village is situated at an altitude of 1300-1700 meters above sea level, which is ideal for Armenia. The village is surrounded by the Gegham ridges, forming a natural amphitheater that offers a magnificent view of the Azat reservoir and the biblical Mount Ararat from all homes.
Smart investments with Goght Urban Valley
Movses Dzavaryan, an entrepreneur and one of the investors in the Goght Urban Valley project, explains that the project also offers ample investment opportunities. "We expect that about half of the housing stock will be used for commercial purposes, i.e. as a means of generating additional rental income. We guarantee 10-12% annual income," said Dzavaryan. He also explained why a hotel is being built in Goght Urban Valley. According to him, the culture of hosting guests outside of the home has long been accepted all over the world. The businessman also responded to a question about how much risk he took in proposing such a new project for Armenia. "This is an absolutely avant-garde project and we are pioneers. I am more than confident that our project will be successful and that we will create a new standard of living," said Dzavaryan. According to him, Yerevan is not a promising city for construction due to irreversible climatic changes. Therefore, according to the businessman, it will become uncomfortable and expensive to live there in the not too distant future. "There are hill slopes and mountainous regions that are ideal for construction projects. The future lies in front of them," concludes Dzavaryan.
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