Regardless, what is happening in Central Yerevan is outrageous, and it’s time the Diaspora stopped feeding into the destruction of a city that belongs more to Yerevanians that somone even from LA or anywhere else temporarily residing in the capital. The construction is a clear example of corruption, the lack of the rule of law, mismanagement, proper urban planning, and community involvement in the decision-making process.

All of that said, however, I will say that Simon at Blogian has been consistent in speaking out about the destruction of monuments in Armenia, Azerbaijan and wherever else whoever it is by. In particular, I remember his photos of some of the vandalism and grafitti committed by Armenians on Armenian monuments in and around Karabakh. I’ve seen something similar with a Church near Hadrut as well.

However, we seem to be going off the main point. The fact is that a lot of this so-called “development,” even if corruption-driven, could be taking place in areas outside the city center that are in urgent need of real re-development and rejuvination. That’s usually what happens in cities that are built maturely and with the future and sustainable growth in mind. Clearly, Yerevan is not being developed in such a manner.