Working pro bono with engineering studio Arup, the Norman Foster Foundation and Kharkiv Group of Architects, Foster + Partners founder Foster has developed a master plan for the rejuvenation of the city following heavy bombardment during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
It was decided to develop the master plan on the basis of five pilot projects: HERITAGE, RIVERS, INDUSTRY, HOUSING and SCIENCE QUARTERS.
According to the heritage project, a new architectural monument will be created in the city center, which will promote a “respectful approach to the restoration of historic buildings.”
The river project will transform the six-kilometer strip between the Kharkiv and Nemyshlya rivers into an ecological, pedestrian and bicycle connector, which is planned as a mobility network.
The industry project will repurpose a polluting coal-fired power plant into a center for clean energy and the food industry.
The housing construction project involves the modernization of panel residential blocks and the creation of energy-efficient housing throughout the city.
The science quarter project is to develop high-tech industry, research centers and start-ups to restore the city’s industrial base. This project will be the basis of a pilot study – an urban plan of boulevards, streets, squares, parks and landscaping with guidelines for the height and setback of buildings with clear zoning.
