ReCity

This project aims to promote sustainable urban development in small industrial cities in Armenia. The working group is collaborating with the Department of Sociology at Yerevan State University (YSU) and the NGO Journalists for the Urban Development (JUD), focusing on an inter- and transdisciplinary approach. The intention is to strengthen public welfare-oriented activities and female actors in the field of Armenian urban and regional development in order to develop an inclusive and cooperative university curriculum in the field.

ReCITY examines the historical legacy of Soviet urban planning in Armenia, the impact of deindustrialization and the current challenges of former industrial cities through three case studies. By analyzing past, present and future changes, sustainable, multidimensional development opportunities and potentials are to be identified. The project team is pursuing three central objectives: The involvement of local actors, the promotion of women’s engagement in urban planning through a gender-sensitive and intersectional approach, and the strengthening of inter- and transdisciplinary cooperation in educational programs.

A mix of methods consisting of literature, media and document analysis as well as guideline-based interviews is used to collect the data. Participatory methods such as workshops and exchange formats promote the involvement of the population in the research process. Mapping and spatial analyses will document urban change processes. The project contributes to the APPEAR program and the SDG goals, in particular “SDG 11”, which promotes sustainable, inclusive, safe and resilient development in cities and communities.