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On 21 November 2025, Ukraine - Netherlands Urban Network (UNUN) partnered in the Fables of the Reconstruction: Symposium on Cultural Erasure, organized together with The School for the City and the Spatial Justice for Palestine Network (SJ4PN, NL). The event focused on the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage during conflicts, highlighting that attacks on historic buildings, artworks, libraries, and archives are often intentional — as trophies, to break people’s spirit, or to erase the existence of a culture.

The afternoon symposium brought together professionals from defence, human rights, conservation, history, and architecture to discuss strategies for acknowledging cultural erasure, protecting threatened heritage, and amplifying the voices of affected communities. Speakers Nama’a Qudah, Wouter Vanstiphout, Arna Mackic, Hiba Omari, Valeria Prorizna, and Ankie Petersen shared insights across disciplines, emphasizing that safeguarding cultural heritage is essential for protecting identity, memory, and the right to exist.

On 23 September 2025, UNUN visited Kickstad in Rotterdam to learn about the studio’s approach to urban development. Kickstad works with governments, developers, and housing corporations on projects related to energy, housing, circularity, and public green spaces, focusing on practical solutions that involve local communities.

During the visit, participants explored Kickstad’s work and processes, took part in a real project case, and joined a hands-on workshop to try out participatory methods and share ideas.

On 17 July 2024, UNUN hosted its Summer BBQ at Het Park, Rotterdam, bringing together architects, urbanists, and spatial thinkers for an informal evening of networking and socializing.

Participants enjoyed drinks and a BBQ while sharing updates, ideas, and experiences within the UNUN community. The event provided a chance to catch up, exchange thoughts, and strengthen ties within the network in a casual, welcoming setting.

In 2025, Circularity on the Edge was featured at the Venice Architecture Biennale, curated by Carlo Ratti. Designed by Kateryna Lopatiuk, Herman Mitish, Yana Buchatska, Oleksandr Sirous, Orest Yaremchuk, Roman Puchko, and others, the installation explored the realities of Ukrainian life during war alongside sustainable and circular design approaches.

As part of the Biennale’s public programming, the two-day workshop “Circular Threads” brought together architects, urbanists, policymakers, circularity experts, and cultural practitioners from Ukraine, Poland, the Netherlands, India, Switzerland, Italy, France, and the UK. Organized by ReThink, EEN Ukraine, College van Rijksbouwmeester & Rijksadviseurs, and the Circularity on the Edge team, the workshop explored material reuse, adaptability, bio-based solutions, and modular design through collaborative approaches.

The first UNUN studio visit of 2025 took place on 27 March 2025 at Felixx Landscape Architects & Planners in Rotterdam. Founded in 2014 by Marnix Vink, Deborah Lambert, and Michiel Van Driessche, Felixx welcomed participants to their creative hub in the Lloydkwartier district for an immersive office tour.

Visitors explored the studio’s workspace and viewed the exhibition What Would Nature Do?, which highlighted Felixx’s landscape projects from the past decade. Eduardo Marin Salinas, expert in Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), guided the tour and delivered a presentation showcasing some of the studio’s most significant and impactful projects.

The visit provided an inspiring opportunity for knowledge exchange, allowing participants to engage with Felixx’s innovative approach to landscape architecture and sustainable urban design.

To support architectural education in Ukraine, UNUN initiated a project donating a collection of architecture books to universities. The initiative aimed to help students and educators develop their knowledge and skills despite limited access to international academic libraries, preparing the next generation of architects to contribute to rebuilding Ukraine.

A total of 400 kg of books were delivered to Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture (KNUBA), Kharkiv School of Architecture, and the National Scientific Architecture and Construction Library named after V.G. Zabolotnyi. The project fosters academic growth, inspires creativity, and strengthens international collaboration and solidarity within the architectural community.

The twelfth UNUN studio visit took place on 11 December 2024 at HofmanDujardin in Diemen. The design office, founded in 1999 and housed in a former warehouse, welcomed participants for an in-depth look at their work in Architecture, Interior, and Product Design.

During the visit, the studio’s team of 35 architects and designers shared insights into their Shaping Intuition® philosophy, demonstrating how they create clear, inspiring, and human-centered designs that promote wellbeing. Attendees explored the office’s projects and design approach, engaging in knowledge sharing and the exchange of ideas.

UNUN expressed heartfelt gratitude to Michiel Hofman, Maryna Savko, Jorinde van Essen, and the HofmanDujardin team for their warm hospitality. Participants received books, and UNUN thanked the studio for supporting the #ArchiLibrary initiative.

On 26 November 2024, UNUN held its eleventh studio visit at PosadMaxwan in The Hague. The studio welcomed participants to explore its five urban design teams, showcasing expertise in public spaces, strategic visions, and spatial data analysis.

Colleagues from @Generation.Energy joined the visit to discuss the energy transition, while interactive workshops demonstrated how integrated urban design contributes to sustainable and healthy living environments. The event provided an open platform for collaboration and learning, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with professionals and exchange knowledge.

On 21 November 2024, Patrick Meijers, board member of UNUN, participated in the Green and Circular Rebuilding of Ukraine Summit in Kyiv. The summit gathered visionaries, politicians, architects, urbanists, and circular economy experts to exchange ideas, case studies, and methods for sustainable reconstruction.

Discussions focused on green rebuilding strategies and innovative uses of construction waste. Patrick Meijers shared his expertise in architecture and circular economy, highlighting how sustainable practices can be integrated into Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts. The event contributed to advancing a greener and more circular approach to rebuilding, fostering collaboration across sectors.

On 14 November 2024, Vakwerkhuis in Delft hosted a lecture on Ukraine’s energy resilience during wartime, featuring Sebastiaan Veldhuisen, Nataliya Lushnikova, and Maksym Semenyuk, moderated by Nazar Gresko.

Sebastiaan Veldhuisen presented sustainable energy solutions, passive energy-saving strategies, and self-reliant practices. Nataliya Lushnikova highlighted solar initiatives for Ukrainian hospitals and discussed gender equity in energy diplomacy. Maksym Semenyuk explored Ukraine’s mineral resources and advocated for decentralised, community-driven energy systems as a pathway to recovery.

The lecture offered a comprehensive overview of practical and strategic approaches to strengthening Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in challenging circumstances.

On 25 October 2024, during Dutch Design Week, UNUN, in collaboration with IABR and CRa, organized a panel discussion titled “Panorama Ukraine: Recovery by Design”, hosted at the request of the Ukrainian Embassy in the Netherlands. The event brought together around 30 attendees and featured insights from architects and experts representing Ukraine, the Netherlands, the Middle East, the Balkans, and Georgia.
The program included three panel discussions:

Panorama Ukraine – Floris Alkemade & Oleksandra Tkachenko

Cultural Context and Decolonisation – Ievgeniia Gubkina, Irakli Sabekia & Arna Mačkic

Redefining International Relationships in Recovery – Anastasia Bobrova & Jan Willem Petersen

Moderated by Saskia van Stein (IABR), the discussions explored innovative strategies for Ukraine’s reconstruction, emphasizing research by design, cultural context, and international collaboration. The event highlighted how design can guide the process of rebuilding and healing nations.

On 14 September 2024, during the Ukraine Urban Forum, UNUN organized a workshop titled “Society and Space: How to Research Cities?” for 50 participants, bringing together Ukrainian NGOs working in urban research for the first time. Participating organizations included CEDOS, Restart, Ro3kvit, New Housing Policy, and Urban Reform.

The workshop provided a platform to discuss research methodologies, share experiences, and address challenges faced in wartime conditions. Ukrainian and European organizations with extensive urban research experience explored different methods of city research, analyzed the impact of research on practice, and examined real-world cases. The program featured presentations from CEDOS, Urban Reform, Ro3kvit, ReStart, GIZ, ORG, and the Dutch-Ukrainian collaborative project Panorama Ukraine, alongside group discussions and panel sessions.

The Rebuild Green Hackathon is an international initiative promoting eco-friendly construction and reconstruction in Ukraine using bio-based materials, fully aligned with the European Green Deal. Starting on 21 September 2024, the event kicked off simultaneously in multiple cities including Vinnytsia, Copenhagen, The Hague, and Belgrade, with a public conference live-streamed across all locations.
Over the following month, diverse teams and individuals developed comprehensive proposals for three selected cases in Ukraine. The proposals focused on architectural and engineering visions, constructive solutions using biomaterials, integrated eco-technologies, implementation budgets, and the skills and expertise required to realize the projects. The hackathon brought together 35 urban experts and 600 participants, tackling challenges related to the internal displacement of Ukrainians.

As part of the program, Pavlo Gorokhovskyi delivered a lecture, sharing his expertise and insights with participants to inspire innovative and sustainable solutions. The event highlighted collaborative efforts to shape a greener, resilient future for Ukraine.

Oleksandra Tkachenko, Chairwoman of UNUN, recently took part in the ENHR Conference at Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, which focused on “Making Housing Systems Work: Evidence and Solutions.” She moderated the working group “Crisis, Conflict, and Recovery,” which examined housing systems, homes, and neighborhoods affected by war and crises, with particular attention to Ukraine and post-war reconstruction across Europe.

The working group featured diverse perspectives on housing challenges and recovery strategies. Natasha Lytvynenko discussed how municipal housing policies can support population return and economic development, while Ryan van den Nouwelant explored evidence-based trade-offs in housing policy, including lessons from Ukraine. Galyna Sukhomud focused on housing solutions for internally displaced persons in Ivano-Frankivsk, and Julie Lawson analyzed Ukraine’s housing recovery through property rights and investment frameworks.

This session provided a valuable platform for European researchers and policymakers to share insights, discuss challenges, and debate strategies for crisis management, reform, and recovery, highlighting lessons from Ukraine’s ongoing conflict and global post-war reconstruction experiences.

The tenth UNUN studio visit took place on 22 July 2024 at WDJArchitecten in Rotterdam. The office, located in the iconic Van Nelle fabriek - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - hosted Ukrainian architects and students from the IHS Erasmus University Urban Heritage Strategies course for an engaging and insightful programme.

The visit began with a presentation by Sander Nelissen and Jeroen Semeijn, who introduced the studio’s approach to building transformation projects and reflected on WDJArchitecten’s long-term involvement in the redevelopment of the Van Nelle Factory since 1999. Their talk highlighted how architectural heritage can be reimagined with sensitivity and innovation.

Following the presentation, participants joined an inspiring tour through the Van Nelle fabriek, gaining firsthand insight into the building’s history, spatial qualities, and the design strategies used in its transformation.

UNUN supported the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands and IHS Erasmus University Rotterdam in developing the course “Urban Heritage Strategies in Times of Conflict.” This included selecting case studies, identifying speakers, understanding local contexts, and recruiting participants.

During the closing session of the program, UNUN contributed a lecture titled “The Power of a Network,” highlighting the role of collaboration and networks in protecting and managing urban heritage in conflict-affected areas.

On 5 July 2024, UNUN held its ninth studio visit in Eindhoven at the architecture bureau Diederendirrix. The programme included a presentation of the studio’s projects and a guided walk through the neighbourhood around their office, followed by a tour of central Eindhoven.

Diederendirrix shared insights into their architectural approach, demonstrating how their projects are implemented in the city and highlighting the innovative methods behind their work. Ukrainian colleagues and emerging architects had the opportunity to engage directly with the team, discuss design strategies, and observe completed projects in context.

UNUN expressed gratitude to Diederendirrix for their warm reception, the inspiring city tour, and the books they provided to participants. Special thanks also went to all attendees who travelled from different cities to join the visit, contributing to a meaningful exchange of experience and perspectives.

In 2024, UNUN representatives Pavlo Gorokhovskyi and Tetiana Rumilets participated in the TU Delft EXTREME course, sharing expertise on reconstruction in Ukraine with master’s students. In collaboration with VNG International and the hromadas of Kherson and Vysokopillia, students in the EXTREME studio explored the design of a hub to coordinate rebuilding efforts.

The EXTREME Architecture and EXTREME Technology courses are part of the master’s track at TU Delft’s Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, focusing on integral design in extreme environments and encouraging students to critically consider their technical and architectural choices.

The course was supported by VNG International, TNO Defensie en Veiligheid, Ministry of Defence, Booosting Platform Koplopers in Bouwinnovatie, OCTATUBE, CARE International, Project Safe Refuge, Foster + Partners, Buro Happold, and WilkinsonEyre. Projects from the course are available online and can be viewed via the link.

The UNUN annual networking event took place on 26 June 2024 at the Henket Pavilion in Rotterdam during the Rotterdam Architecture Month festival. The gathering brought together displaced Ukrainian professionals and students from across the Netherlands, offering an opportunity to connect, share experiences, and build a sense of community.

The event welcomed a new generation of participants, including urban and architecture students exploring career paths and professional connections. Attendees were able to present projects, seek collaborations, and engage with partners such as VNG International, aHOUSEforHome, and Rebuild Green Hackathon, highlighting ongoing initiatives and opportunities for cooperation.

The programme included presentations and discussions with speakers: Floor Steenkamp (VNG International), Oksana Savchuk (VATAHA), Gerrit Jan van 't Veen (WorldStartup), and Pavlo Gorokhovskyi and Elena Chevtchenko (UNUN), fostering exchange, networking, and collaboration among participants.

On 23 May 2024, UNUN travelled to Eindhoven for the eighth studio visit, hosted by the design office Inbo. The practice, operating through six teams across the Netherlands, welcomed Ukrainian colleagues for an in-depth look at their work and methodology.

During the visit, Inbo presented their approach across Urban Strategy, Engineering, Architecture, and Interior Design, showing how personal passion and professional expertise shape their contribution to everyday environments. The team also highlighted their role as a platform for social dialogue, staying close to communities through work in schools, neighbourhoods, and construction sites.

The session opened space for meaningful exchange, with Inbo sharing design cases and work methods, and engaging participants in discussion.

On 19 April 2024, UNUN hosted a live lecture at Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam featuring Kees van Ruyven and Grisha Zotov. The lecture explored urban planning perspectives in both Amsterdam and Lviv, offering insights into neighbourhood development, challenges, and strategies in the two cities.

The event aimed to bridge Dutch and Ukrainian audiences by highlighting the Dutch perspective on Lviv neighbourhoods and the Ukrainian perspective on Amsterdam neighbourhoods, followed by a discussion. This lecture was part of the “Healthy and Future-Proof Neighbourhoods” series within the Panorama Ukraine project — a collaboration of IABR, UNUN, CRa, Nieuwe Instituut, Independent School for the City, and Vereniging Deltametropool, generously supported by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW).

The lecture was recorded and is available for viewing on UNUN’s YouTube channel.

The Spring–Summer School for representatives of Ukrainian local communities, organized by municipalities of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, was conducted as part of the project “Support for the Restoration of Local Self-Government and the Recovery and Reconstruction of Communities in Ukraine.” The initiative is implemented by VNG International in partnership with the Association of Ukrainian Cities, with UNUN contributing to the organization and delivery of the program. The school provided training and knowledge exchange opportunities to strengthen local governance and support community reconstruction efforts.

Recordings of all sessions are available on UNUN’s YouTube page.

Discussion «The reconstruction of Ukraine» with Patrick Meijers, Oleksandra Tkachenko, Julia Westerveld-Soldatiuk and Lilet Breddels was held on the 19th of February at Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam.
Recording

The seventh UNUN studio visit took place on 14 February 2024 at Kokon in Rotterdam. The session was led by Kokon directors and main architects Ron van Leeuwen and Henk Middelkoop, who guided participants through the studio’s diverse departments, including architecture, urban design, technical development, and heritage.
During the visit, the group explored the broad professional landscape in which architects operate in the Netherlands and Rotterdam. A central focus of the session was the discussion on future collaboration for the rebuilding of Ukraine, highlighting shared expertise and possibilities for joint work.
The event provided an open and engaging environment for dialogue, exchange, and professional insight.

On 13 February 2024, Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUAS), in collaboration with UNUN, hosted a week-long workshop focused on reconstruction planning for Novoselivka, a Ukrainian village devastated by war. Students developed comprehensive, community-driven visions emphasizing resilience, sustainable development, and local engagement.

The workshop was guided by BUAS instructors and UNUN members Patrick Meijers and Pavlo Gorokhovskyi, with input from local residents and OpenDoorUkraine.nl. Projects explored themes such as agriculture, permaculture, and resilience-building, while Ukrainian student Maria Chernova facilitated connections between the university and the Ukrainian-Dutch platform.

The initiative also linked master students with relevant design offices for their theses on Ukrainian reconstruction. Maurizio Scarciglia, Built Environment lecturer, highlighted the project as an innovative example of unconventional practice, demonstrating the potential of collaborative, cross-border approaches for supporting communities like Novoselivka.

Between 2 November 2024 and 28 February 2025, UNUN conducted a series of nine practical webinars as part of the project “Support to Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction of Local Governments and Communities in Ukraine.” These sessions targeted professionals involved in reconstruction, strategic spatial planning, and infrastructure revitalization, helping officials from war-affected communities gain practical knowledge and guidance for rebuilding their local areas.
Recordings of all sessions are available on UNUN’s YouTube page, providing ongoing access to urban development insights and best practices.

UNUN’s sixth studio visit took place on 13 December 2024 with a guided 1.5-hour tour of West 8 projects in Rotterdam. The walk was led by West 8 director Christian Dobrick together with lead landscape designer Nazar Dutko.

The tour began at Rotterdam Central Station and continued west–south through a series of urban and landscape interventions that West 8 has developed over the past twenty years. Participants explored how long-term design strategies shape public space and mobility in the city.

The visit created an opportunity for direct dialogue with West 8's team, encouraging questions, reflection, and active participation from the group.

On 6 December 2023, UNUN and School for the City hosted the DUO Lecture: School of Tomorrow at the Independent School for the City in Rotterdam. The event focused on innovative approaches to reinventing school buildings using new systems and technologies.

The evening began with an introduction by Pavlo Gorokhovskyi (College van Rijksadviseurs / UNUN) on the destruction of education infrastructure. David Gianotten presented on modular schools and the latest innovations in educational architecture, and Slava Balbek (Balbek Bureau) discussed 3D-printed schools and data-driven approaches for rebuilding Ukraine’s social infrastructure.

The lecture was recorded and is available for viewing on UNUN’s YouTube channel.

The detailed program for all week with links to online lectures

TU Delft in partnership with UNUN (Ukraine -The Netherlands Urban Network) and Ukrainian colleagues provided an online course on May-June 2023.

List of lectures

This course discusses spatial strategies for an integrated urban recovery in post-conflict settings. It investigates the process of reconstruction and what “building back better” implies: tackling inequalities, strengthening the capacities of local actors and pursuing a green, resilient and inclusive economic recovery anchored on sound spatial planning, design and policy.
This course was given by a team of academics & experts from several institutions.

PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency has just published a report based on the symposium ‘Ukraine’s housing recovery forum – rebuilding a place to call home’.

The report responds to Ukraine’s ambitions for the recovery of homes and neighbourhoods. It calls on policymakers in Ukraine, partner countries, and international organizations to give strategic attention to safe, affordable, and energy-efficient housing in future recovery efforts.

English and Ukrainian versions can be found here

The webinar took place on 18-05-2022 and featured good case practices of recovery after war or natural disasters. Hosted by IHS Rotterdam (Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam).
Speakers: Anila Bejko, Pavlo Fedoriv and Claudio Acioly Jr.
Moderator: Oleksandra Tkachenko.
You can find a record of the webinar here

We are happy that new connections between Dutch and Ukrainian organizations (PBL and New Housing Policy) keep developing with follow-ups.

We are excited to share with you an article published in Housing Finance International by Julie Lawson, Oleksandr Anisimov, and Edwin Buitelaar. This article is a follow-up to our event, "Ukraine's Housing Recovery Forum – Rebuilding a Place to Call Home."

Overall, the article provides valuable insights into the challenges facing Ukraine's housing sector and the best practices that can be implemented to address them. We hope that this article will serve as a call to action for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to work together to improve the housing situation in Ukraine

On Friday 4 November UNUN will be publicly launched at the City Makers Congres in Rotterdam. In a short Q&A, Ukrainian urban planner and initiator of UNUN, Oleksandra Tkachenko, talks to Chief Government Architect Francesco Veenstra. They will discuss the Dutch-Ukrainian cooperation in which spatial design professionals will use their collective brainpower for the reconstruction of Ukraine. This will also be the official launch of unun.nu, our online platform.

While the war in Europe is still an everyday reality, people around the world are starting to think about the rebuilding of Ukraine. This weekend, for example, University College London is hosting an online symposium about the reconstruction of Ukraine. In this article, Hedwig van der Linden and Oleksandra Tkachenko explore how the Dutch professional community of urbanists, planners and architects could help Ukraine to build back its cities together and better.

The Dutch government has announced that it will allocate 1 million euros to support artists who were forced to flee their country after the Russian attack on Ukraine and are living in the Netherlands, to enable them to continue their work here. This programme is financed by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, each allocating € 500,000. The Dutch Foundation for Literature is coordinating this support programme on behalf of the six national cultural foundations. Applications must be made by a Dutch legal entity, i.e. a cultural organisation or institution. The closing date of the support programme is 15 November 2022.