SUSTAINABILITY IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT PERMIT ACQUISITION (ARMENIA)

Abstract

Introduction: Sustainability is becoming more integrated into different fields in many countries. Architecture and urban development are no exception. International agreements, charters, and national strategies have already been adopted around the world. Nonetheless, the relevant procedures and applications are just as important. In Armenia, despite the existence of several National Standard upgrades and the development of the Buildings’ Energy Passport, there is still no building sustainability assessment system. Methods: This article analyzes development documentation, particularly the application form and acquisition of design permits, in terms of its sustainability, based on legal research, the Developers Guide, and the author’s own professional experience. Results and discussion: This analysis shows that generally, applications and permits include sustainable aspects, but need several improvements in order to make development more sustainable. In turn, the main issues affecting the process are timing, communication, and project presentation capacity.