Presentation of the project concept “IZYUM_recovery” dated 07.05.2024.

May 7, 2024, the first presentation of the project concept “Adaptation of a residential quarter in the central part of the city of Izyum, Kharkiv region, bounded by the streets: Heroes of Chernobyl, Pokrovska, and Donets-Zaharzhevsky, to climatic, social, and cultural changes” took place in Kharkiv.

This event was organized by the LLC “AСC “PORTAL-21” with the support of the Department of Urban Planning and Architecture of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration. Thanks to them, a venue was provided for the event. During the presentation, the media group “StreamTeam” worked, invited by LLC “AСC “PORTAL-21”, which professionally covered the event.

Present at the presentation in Kharkiv were: representatives of the Izyum city community, deputy head of the military administration, chief architect of the city of Izyum, and deputy architect of the Kharkiv region. Also, the event was attended by a representative of the “Isolation” fund, which co-finances the project. Kharkiv residents concerned about the restoration of Ukrainian cities and stakeholders were also present at the presentation. Architects, teachers, journalists, and residents of Izyum joined the presentation online.

The project was presented by the authors: Anastasiia Gulak, Kateryna Kublytska, Maxim Semenenko, and Zoya Panova. They explained why this particular name was chosen, the contemporary challenges that need adaptation, and how the project in Izyum is integrated into the programs “European Green Deal” (EGD) and “New European Bauhaus” (NEB).

A historical analysis of the city was provided to better understand some architectural decisions, such as bicycle lanes within the quarter and the emergence of a community center on the site of a demolished building on Soborna Street, 20. It is envisaged that the new building will be modern while also recalling the old one with certain decorative elements.

Solutions of the master plan were presented, including the creation of an inclusive environment, the use of new engineering technologies in the field of “green” energy, and the improvement of the quarter’s ecology by relocating all parking spaces outside the residential quarter and placing them near roads, as well as in the basements of residential buildings.

Before starting the design process, the “PORTAL-21” team closely communicated with the residents of private houses that were destroyed. This allowed them to propose the restoration of this sector of the residential quarter, taking into account the needs and habits of those who previously lived in this area.

The project also includes improvements to the living conditions in the multi-story buildings erected during the Soviet era. This involves measures aimed at inclusion, safety, and psychological recovery of their residents.

A lot of attention was given to the social changes that need to occur for the successful implementation of the project. This includes new behavioral models, new measures to improve communication between people, and so on.

Most importantly, this event was aimed primarily at active dialogue with the community and the administration of the city of Izyum. Therefore, the project was presented as a sketch-concept, to be further discussed and improved through communication with interested parties.

Immediately after the event, the news was published on the website of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration.

Watch the video recording of the event on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lP6u5bkew4&t=719s