YEREVAN. – Densely built-up areas in Yerevan are not safe from the seismic viewpoint, a representative of National Seismic Protection Service said.

Gurgen Namalyan recalled that under the Soviet recommendations buildings in Yerevan should be low and not dense, since the city is situated in the third seismically active zone.

“However, the phrase “not recommended” can be easily ignored as it is being done now in the small center of Yerevan,” he added.

The new high-rise buildings in the center of Yerevan are seismically safe, the expert said, adding that they were built with the use of new technologies and standards

“Technologies have gone ahead. But no matter how reliable they are, dense built-up areas are profitable for the owners of the buildings, but potentially dangerous for the city,” Namalyan emphasized.