As the trend of global urbanization continues, the obstacles to sustainable development are increasingly emanating from urban areas. Yerevan and Rustavi are aware of these challenges, as the economic well-being of their countries depends heavily on the economic growth of their cities. Human activities such as transportation, energy consumption, water use, and waste management have a negative impact on the quality of the urban environment. These negative impacts can lead to a range of environmental and health issues, including air and water pollution, soil degradation, loss of biodiversity and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, these issues can have significant economic consequences, such as increased health care costs, reduced property values and decreased tourism. Therefore, it is imperative that sustainable urban development strategies are implemented to mitigate the negative impacts of human activities and promote a healthier and more sustainable environment for urban dwellers.
Overall, the project seeks short-, medium- and long-term goals which can fulfil the vision of healthier and better quality of life. The short-term goal of the work is to inform investment prioritization by city administrations, the medium-term goal is to improve population service quality, and the long-term goal is to contribute to measurable improvements in residents' quality of life and health, as well as overall economic competitiveness. Achieving these goals will require a focus on sustainable urban planning and management to promote resource efficiency, reduce pollution and waste, and enhance the resilience of urban systems.
