Goght Urban Valley in Armenia: a place where nature, architecture and love come together

YEREVAN, 11 November. News-Armenia. Against the backdrop of a fairytale landscape and crystal-clear air, a unique village is being built — Goght Urban Valley, which offers not just housing, but a completely new lifestyle. It combines all the conveniences of the city with the harmony of nature. It is a place you will want to return to again and again. The project is designed so that residents and guests feel freedom, security and inspiration in an atmosphere far from the hustle and bustle and pollution of the metropolis. It is not just an area with housing — it is a space where love and dreams meet and settle. One of the investors in Goght Urban Valley, Movses Dzavarian, spoke about the village of lovers and its possibilities in an exclusive interview with the Novosti-Armenia news agency.

Novosti-Armenia: What does Goght Urban Valley mean to you today — an investment, an idea or a way to change the lifestyle in Armenia?

M. Dzavarian: Observing the development of urbanism in the countries I often visit — Russia, Germany, Austria, even Portugal — I notice an interesting trend: cities are beginning to unload. Where this is not happening, either immigrants or rural residents are moving to megacities. If you look at the United States, many city centres are gradually becoming immigrant neighbourhoods. Today, the quality of life in large cities is deteriorating due to a lack of security, pollution, traffic jams and stress. And the solution has already been found — it is to create an environment with urban amenities, but without the problems of large megacities.

Armenia did not have such a culture. I have always dreamed of a settlement that would combine all urban services with comfort and safety, without harming the environment. Relieving the burden on Yerevan is vitally important. The creation of innovative cities is a first for the country, and I hope that other projects will follow ours. It is already clear that interest in them is growing. For me, Goght Urban Valley is not just a large project, it is a place where I want to live and grow old.

Novosti-Armenia: If the project were a person, what would it be like? In terms of character, age, ambitions?

M. Dzavarian - Good question, I haven't thought about it, but I'll try to imagine it with you. It would be between 50 and 55 years old, with a gentle character, quite ambitious in the best sense of the word.

Novosti-Armenia: What, in your opinion, best describes the DNA of Goght Urban Valley?

M. Dzavarian: That's a difficult question. I was in Goght yesterday, and you know, I don't want to leave. It's indescribably beautiful in absolutely any weather. And the right to personal space.

Novosti-Armenia: It's difficult to be a pioneer in any field. It's easier to churn out cookie-cutter projects than to start a completely new one. How did you realise that your project was viable?

M. Zavaryan - I once reminded one of my friends, who doesn't believe in projects outside Yerevan, about two major projects in Armenia in which I was involved. At the time, almost no one believed in them except for one or two people. Today, these projects are among the most successful in the country. I am confident that Gohkht will be even more successful.

Novosti-Armenia - And when did you realise this? At what stage?

M. Dzavaryan - I practically lived with this idea for five years. But during the pandemic, I happened to be in a place where there were no restrictions at a time when there were crazy restrictions everywhere else. I realised that it was time to start this project after all.

Novosti-Armenia Novosti-Armenia - Were there moments when you doubted its success? And what helped you stay with the project and not give up?

M. Dzavarian - I had no doubts about the project's success. If I can't do it, someone else will continue. But I will try to see the project through to the end myself.

Novosti-Armenia - How has the project changed over these two years? And to what extent?

M. Dzavarian - Physically, you can already come and see everything with your own eyes: the streets have been formed, the houses are standing. It's really beautiful. I hope that within the next month we will complete the main work, and it will become clear that this is one of the most modern and beautiful places to live in Armenia.

Mentally, the project has changed a lot. Together with Arev Samuelyan, former Deputy Minister of Culture and Deputy Chairman of the Union of Architects of Armenia, and a creative team from Russia, Armenia and France, we have developed a concept that is constantly evolving.

The project is alive, it does not stand still: the main ideas remain, but the details evolve. For example, I originally planned a 20-room hotel on a certain area, but on the advice of one of the professionals, I decided to change the concept — I will talk about it later.

Novosti-Armenia: How do you imagine Goght Urban Valley in 10 years?

M. Dzavarian: The main focus is on education — kindergarten, primary, secondary and even higher education, possibly with accommodation. After all, Armenia is not just Yerevan. There are many talented children in the country who deserve a quality education. We have already begun collaborating with COAF, ArMath and other organisations to create a system that combines study, sport and extracurricular activities.

Novosti-Armenia: What should people feel when they first arrive in Goght?

M. Dzavaryan: Comfort.

Novosti-Armenia - What do you think is the strength of this project? Is it the architecture, the community or its energy?

M. Dzavaryan - Exactly - the energy it radiates. No one has ever left Goght without regret. Especially in spring, when everything is in bloom, or in autumn, when everything is covered in crimson and gold. Everyone understands that they want to stay here and not return to the polluted and dusty city.

Novosti-Armenia: When I was preparing for the interview, I came across several descriptions of the Goght Urban Valley project. Which one is closest to your concept?

Goght Urban Valley — an investment in yourself

Between mountains and opportunities — your Goght

Goght is a village that breathes and a home that inspires

Goght is a place you want to return to

Goght Urban Valley is a story in which you are the main character

Perhaps you have your own? 

M. Dzavarian - Goght Urban Valley is truly a place you want to return to. We are trying to make it a place that not only residents but also visitors will want to come to and use our infrastructure. After all, it is being created not only for the residents of Goght but for people of all ages and interests. I am not counting on foreign tourism: I am sure that it will mainly be Armenian citizens who will come to us to relax, enjoy nature and discover something new.

Novosti-Armenia: Can you share any news or projects that await us before the end of the year?

M. Dzavarian: We are working on two projects at once. I can't announce them yet, but I promise you will be the first to know. Negotiations are underway with two major companies that could radically change even what we already have for the better. It's all about infrastructure. I hope that we will reach an understanding in the near future, and I will be able to announce some very interesting developments in this project.

Novosti-Armenia: What do you like most about the project?

M. Dzavarian: I want Goght to become a city of lovers, a place where people would retain their love for life and each other from birth to old age. We are creating an atmosphere in which couples can enjoy not only the beauty around them, but also their feelings for each other. I have seen similar places in Italy — inspiring, warm, where love is in the air. This is exactly the kind of emotional environment we want to create here.

Novosti-Armenia: When will a certain stage of the project be completed and people will be able to come and see all this beauty?

M. Dzavaryan - We are already handing over the first stage of housing and have even started renovations. The funny thing is that it is not Armenians who are starting the renovations, but foreigners. The first renovation was done by a Dutchman, the second by an American. It turns out that they trust Armenia and Armenians more than Armenians trust themselves.

Novosti-Armenia: What about the public area?

M. Zavaryan: We already have a park — it is currently being landscaped. We will start work either this year or in the spring, when the snow melts. The first facility will most likely be a restaurant — a place where people can relax and enjoy a delicious meal.

But perhaps the priority project will be a school, if we manage to complete the fundraising quickly. In any case, in the first half of next year, visitors will be able to come, enjoy the atmosphere, and some may even stay. After all, we will already have our first residents, and we want to provide them with everything they need for a comfortable life.