"EcoLur" Informational NGO sent a query to Gyumri Mayor, Vardges Samsonyan, to find out which of the measures laid down in Gyumri's Green City Action Plan have been implemented, and to what extent Gyumri has reached its mid-term targets of the plan. In response, Gyumri Municipality informed which of the actions laid down in the plan were implemented and to what extent.
Below we present the measures of Gyumri's Green City Action Plan and the response provided by Gyumri Municipality.
TRANSPORTATION
A new public transport network operator model, renewal of the bus fleet, and a single fare and ticket system.
Gyumri Municipality:
-The bus fleet has been upgraded with 89 new minibuses. Within the framework of EU-funded Alliance for Better City Governance project, the introduction of a single ticket system is underway.
Upgrading the bus stop infrastructure, including implementing a real-time passenger information (RTPI) system.
Gyumri Municipality:
- Installed 57 new smart stops equipped with photovoltaic panels that provide lighting for the stops and powering the charging sockets of the electronic devices installed in them. Implementation of the power system is in progress.
Modernization of public buses with the addition of low emission vehicles
Gyumri Municipality:
- Within the framework of Alliance for Better City Governance project, 5 e-buses will be purchased and used in the public transport network. The program of acquiring 50 e-buses through EBRD funds is also under discussion.
LIGHTING, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, AND LIGHTING
The light bulbs of low-income consumers are being replaced with LED lamps.
Gyumri Municipality
- 80% of the lighting in residential areas and city streets has been replaced with LED lighting.
The program for the thermal insulation of residential buildings – Public-Private Partnership project.
Gyumri Municipality:
- In the framework of the subvention program, 3 residential buildings have undergone thermal insulation in Ani and Mush neighborhoods, with plans to insulate 3 more by 2025. Based on the evaluation of the results of the implementation process, it can be extended to entire Ani district, where the fund for residential buildings is constructed from monolithic concrete.
Promotion of Green Buildings
Energy-efficient modernization of city street lighting
Gyumri Municipality:
- Within the framework of "Gyumri City Streets" project, smart type lighting system control panels equipped with remote control and dimming systems were installed. A similar system with around 1300 LED installations is planned to be launched in Ani and Austrian districts. 2,000 new LED lights were installed at the expense of subsidies and 300 at the expense of community funds.
- Introduction of medium and large renewable energy systems (RES).
Gyumri Municipality:
-In 2022, 52 solar power plants with a total capacity of 1.8 MWt have been installed through a subvention program, the energy of which is used for the operation of community non-profit organizations and urban street lighting system, because of which the emission of GHG into the environment has reduced significantly.
DOMESTIC SOLID WASTE
Elimination of illegal open landfills and restoration of contaminated areas, proper management of the existing landfill site.
Gyumri Municipality:
- There are no illegal open dumps in the city. Land leveling works are regularly performed in the municipal landfill site, because of which CO2 emissions are reduced. The landfill is located very close to residential areas, while ensuring the cleanliness of the area is a continuous process, but the landfill is subject to closedown, the issue is a subject of consideration for the Armenian government. However, there are no funds available for the establishment of a new landfill site.
Reviewing waste collection and their existing payment systems and launching a separate recyclable collection system.
Gyumri Municipality:
- As part of Alliance for Better City Governance project, it is planned to launch a production line to produce tiles because of separate plastic collection and its recycling. Separate plastic collection bins are installed.
WATER RESOURCES
Repair and restoration of parts of the supply system with the highest level of leakage.
Gyumri Municipality:
- Under the supervision of the community, "Veolia Jur" renewed the water supply network in several districts of the city.
Provision of green infrastructure, parks and open spaces.
Gyumri Municipality:
- It is implemented at the expense of the community and various organizations. Forest belts and parks have been established and new ones are in the process of establishment.
July 01, 2024 at 15:30