Abandoned settlement Khot in Syuniq region (Armenia) as a pole of growth, a foster for the development of the region and a core of the tourism cluster

Abstract

The historical texture of the highland rural settlement in the Syuniq region, dated to the 19th century, was studied. The old settlement fabric, harmoniously integrated into the landscape morphology, is rich with historic buildings that now require urban, environmental, and architectural reconstruction and modernization, with particular attention to the issue of identity. Conservation and protection measures addressing the historical-cultural value are expected to revitalize the historical urban environment of the settlement. This revitalization must adhere to protection decisions and worldwide heritage conventions, including UNESCO standards. Today, urban identity, particularly in old-historical regions, is being threatened, physically degraded, damaged, or even destroyed by the impact of globalization on societies everywhere. The possibilities for revitalizing the abandoned highland village of Khot in the Syunik region are presented within the context of Armenia's spatial planning. This measure aims to implement the concept of revitalizing existing urban environments' identities by introducing new functions to replace lost ones and creating new growth poles-centers of clusters based on abandoned settlements. These destinations may include historic heritage protection through rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, site popularization, and increasing tourist flows, ultimately impacting economic growth within the cluster as a tool for sustainable regional development.