Armenian communities test human-centered design for improved service delivery under the M4EG

Urban Imaginaries is a programme that supports towns and cities to reimagine local economic development and governance through new tools. Urban Imaginaries is one programme under the joint EU and UNDP initiative Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG) Facility. The selected cities receive seed funds of up to 60,000 EUR and technical support for their experiments in their focus area. The partner of the programme is the Centre for Public Impact.

In the first cohort of Urban Imaginaries 2022, three communities from Armenia took part: Alaverdi, Ashtarak, and Charentsavan. From early spring to summer of 2022, human-centered design thinking was introduced to the communities, where they explored their identified problem and vetted and designed solutions through end-user research with residents. In November, all three presented their learning and effects so far in a regional Show and Tell event.  

What challenges were sought addressed?

The three communities identified different challenges. In Alaverdi, Lori region, (20,445 residents), residents and tourists are seeking a richer cultural life for a more thriving, inclusive community however the community is facing decaying building facilities and a shrinking number of local cultural activities.

Ashtarak, Aragatsotn region, (75,750 residents) was recently expanded to a consolidated community that includes one urban and 34 rural settlements, leading to a greater need for public transportation reform to boost connectivity and livelihood opportunities.

The municipality team in Charentsavan, Kotayk region, (40,000 residents) finds that its center is in need of a make-over to become more attractive for residents and tourists alike.

Read the full article on the UNDP M4EG website.