Participatory Greening

What is it? Participatory Greening transforms unauthorized planting into a collaborative civic effort. It is a streamlined legal framework where the Municipality permits residents to replant empty tree pits, removed stump sites, or bare soil plots, provided they strictly adhere to established professional guidelines regarding species selection and technical placement.

Why it matters for Yerevan. Our city faces scorching summers, yet many sidewalk plots remain empty or blocked by old stumps, worsening the urban heat. While residents are eager to restore shade, unguided planting often leads to conflict and tree removal because the wrong species are chosen for our specific alkaline, dusty soil or placed without access to irrigation. We must align citizen enthusiasm with ecological reality to effectively cool our streets.

The Standard. We advocate for the publication of a "Pre-Approved Planting Protocol" based on international best practices. If a resident selects a tree from the certified drought-resistant species list and guarantees proper irrigation and planting depth, they should be allowed to plant with minimal administrative barriers. This standard ensures that resident contributions are scientifically sound, turning potential conflict into a unified effort to green Yerevan.

Current Status. There is no legal procedure for planting trees in the city. The monopoly belongs to the Greening Department. If you ask for a permission, your request would most likely be rejected.

A proposition was sent to the Mayor to introduce this regulation.