Previous page_ Early 19th century engraving of Old Tbilisi showing the main residential district of Kala and the ancient Narikala Fortress Right_ A 19th century house in the Old Tbilisi district of Isani Below_View of Tbilisi in the early 20th century
Bank officials, a conference to discuss the Tbilisi model is being planned for 2011. The measures aim to
satisfy key groups in urban regeneration. Banks are to issue new loans guaranteed by state purchase and incorporate old debts and interest into the land price, re-starting profitable financing of a sector that is no longer toxic for them. Developers will complete unfinished constructions, meet old and new commitments, clear all debts, and move on to new jobs. Tbilisi will revive a free housing programme for the slum-dwellers and take over property in Old Tbilisi now available for restoration. The Georgian government
construction is regulated on account of the buildings’ age. The total number of properties protected by the state within the above two territories is 1,768. The law says they cannot be destroyed, even if damaged, but have to be replicated precisely. The Georgian government has made significant progress, despite the complexity of the issues faced. However, progress has been stymied by world events. The global economic crisis exerted more pressure to the difficulties of Russia’s 2008 invasion and 2006 economic blockade, with an
attendant fall in GDP and rise in unemployment. (Georgia’s chaos after the latter did not help inspire confidence in its 2007 application for World Heritage status for Old Tbilisi). International investment
has been frozen after the world crisis and Russio-Georgian war. The 158 private residential property developers, some of whom had been carrying out reconstruction work in the Old Town, are immobilised by the Georgian banks’ inability to lend. The Tbilisi building industry, once worth £640 million and employing around
028 The Architectural Review / October 2010 / View
38,000 – more when small service companies are added in – has nearly collapsed. Against this background,
50,000-plus inhabitants of Old Tbilisi voiced their discontent at slum dwelling. In response, in 2009 the government introduced a scheme, New Life of Old Tbilisi. Much of the financial jigsaw has been put in place with a first-step scheme that is regarded as a role model by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and leading academics. On the recommendation of World
would generate activity through construction work and services that could add as much as £390 million to the economy. Its risk is limited by the increase in tax revenues and the sale value of Old Tbilisi land. The scheme is for developers, or other bidders, to buy it and restore the old buildings. So far the Georgian government has put in two tranches of money to what is envisaged to be a three-to-four- year £137 million plan. Here good progress is being made. The next step will be another application for World Heritage status and some badly needed international funding from reconstruction and restoration programmes such as the World Bank, EBRD or Aga Khan Award for Architecture. But key to the successful continuation of the scheme, in Western eyes certainly, is the development of a plan of what should actually happen to Old Tbilisi to help retain its vibrancy and bring economic activity while restoring it as a magnet for tourists. This, potentially a huge economic generator, has yet to be added to the jigsaw.
MAIA MANIA; SERGEY PROKUDIN-GORSKY
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