Fundamentals of Urbanism for Recovery
Since the full-scale invasion, Ukraine faces an unprecedented challenge – to rebuild its cities, communities, and infrastructure in light of a transformed reality. This process demands high‑quality spatial thinking, integrated planning, alignment with European standards, and an interdisciplinary approach. Yet, most municipalities currently lack specialists capable of designing, coordinating, and implementing spatial solutions under crisis conditions.
The “Fundamentals of Urbanism for Recovery” program is designed for those who aspire to join the new wave of professionals able to design spatial solutions in (post)war contexts, guided by European principles and local needs.
The program purpose is to equip Ukrainian architects, planners, urbanists, engineers, and related professionals with contemporary urban expertise required to design sustainable spatial solutions, work in interdisciplinary teams, implement quality recovery strategies at the local level, and create systemic solutions for communities.
What makes it unique? This is not traditional education – it is a practice-based learning platform for professionals wanting to transform Ukrainian hromadas from within: through collaboration, responsibility, and concrete action. We don’t just talk about recovery, we learn how to design it together.
Key facts
● Duration: 13 weeks (22 September – 19 December 2025)● Format: Weekly online sessions (evening times, 3 hours each)● Commitment: Approximately 6 hours per week, including live sessions and individual/team tasks● Language: Lectures with synchronous Ukrainian interpretation; group work in English (basic communicative level required)● Methodology: Combines theoretical foundation with group-based practical work (interactive lectures, workshops, case‑studies, and team collaboration)● Approach: Work on a real case from a Ukrainian partner hromada, mentored by international experts with on‑the‑ground experience in Ukraine● Cost: Participation is free
Program Overview
The curriculum blends contemporary urban theory with practical skills, structured around four thematic modules that address key facets of spatial planning in crisis and post-crisis contexts:
URBANISM – Foundations of crisis‑responsive planning: how spatial logic shifts during war and recoveryMOVEMENT – Mobility, accessibility, and safety under instability: spatial solutions for people and goodsPEOPLE – Culture, heritage, trust, and participation: building connections between communities, decision makers, and spaceMATTER – Circularity, energy efficiency, healthy cities: resources as the foundation for sustainable recovery
Throughout the program, participants work on a unified real‑world project – a spatial assignment from the partner hromada. This case study is incorporated into all modules, enabling participants to develop a cohesive vision step by step, from territorial analysis to the creation of strategic spatial solutions adapted to the real context.
Each week includes a combined session consisting of a theoretical component, such as lectures, presentations and expert-led case analysis with Ukrainian and European professionals, as well as a practical section involving focused group work tailored to participants' experience and level. This format combines a shared vision with in-depth expertise, encouraging interdisciplinary exchange and integrated approaches. Each module concludes with a synchronisation session, during which participants align their methods, discuss any challenges they have encountered and consolidate their strategic perspectives. This structure is designed to foster teamwork, critical thinking and the development of professional spatial solutions that address recovery challenges.
Post-Program Opportunities
After completing the online program, up to 30 participants who successfully finish and present their work will be invited to an in-person workshop in Winter 2026. Participants will continue working on the project, collaborating with mentors and the hromada representatives. Travel and accommodation expenses are covered by the organizers. Additionally, 4-6 top-performing participants will be offered professional internships at leading Ukrainian institutions engaged in spatial recovery projects, supporting application of acquired knowledge in practice.
Who Should Apply?
We’ll form three participant groups – 20–25 people each, based on experience and expertise:
Experienced professionals in architecture and urban sphereHave you worked on master plans, detailed planning or spatial strategies for hromadas? Do you want to move beyond volumetric design towards adaptive, strategic spatial thinking that is aligned with the principles of sustainable development, the Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus? This programme will support yr transition to systemic spatial planning within the frameworks of recovery, safety, adaptability and participation.
Young professionals in architecture and urban sphereAre you starting your career in architecture, urbanism or planning? You have the relevant qualifications and want to understand how municipalities operate, the tools that professionals use in real spatial practice and how to develop and present ideas. This programme bridges the gap between academia and professional practice, helping you to learn teamwork, receive feedback and add a real-life spatial project to your portfolio.
Related disciplines professionals:You may not be an architect or a planner, but your work is an important part of urban regeneration. If you work in transport, energy, culture, ecology, data, social work or public administration, this programme will help you to understand urban planning principles and find your place in a multidisciplinary team. Urban teams need your expertise, and this programme will help you translate it into spatial logic, understand how planners work and increase the impact of your work. You will learn to read plans, apply your expertise to spatial solutions and collaborate with others to achieve shared goals.
How to apply?
Deadline: Submit your application by 2 September 2025, 22:00 Kyiv time
Application form: Include a motivational response – this is key to our selection process. It helps us assess your interest, readiness to tackle spatial challenges, openness to learning, and commitment to apply knowledge in practice. Professional experience and portfolio may be included, but are not decisive.
Application form: https://forms.gle/2dNKRa62QjX26uiSA
Selection results: Notifications sent by 12 September 2025 to the email provided
Participation in the program is free. Travel and accommodation expenses for the offline workshop will be covered for selected participants.
Program Coordinators:
Lilet Breddels (NL) – Architectural researcher, curator, and publisher; leads the Archis.org think tank and Volume Magazine; project manager at Ro3kvit; lecturer at Amsterdam Academy of Architecture. Expertise in architecture in post‑conflict environments and integrated urban development.
Fulco Treffers (NL/UA) – Founder & Executive Director of Ro3kvit Urban Coalition; Chief Architect at 12N Urban Matters; lecturer at Kharkiv School of Architecture. Since 2015, active in social urban design, participatory planning, and circular economy in Ukraine, creating models of cooperation between communities, businesses, and authorities.
Nathan Hutson (US) – Professor of the “Urbanism & Post‑War Recovery” program at Kyiv School of Economics; World Bank consultant on mobility in the ECA region; Ro3kvit member. Researches how war‑termination scenarios impact logistics, economy, post‑Soviet housing, and heritage preservation.
Elena Arhipovaitė (LT) – Architect‑urbanist and humanitarian reconstruction specialist; Ro3kvit member. Over 12 years coordinating urban strategies and projects from Norway to Zambia; works with governments and NGOs in crisis settings. Experienced in national strategies, housing solutions, and participatory planning with emphasis on sustainability and inclusion.
This project is supported by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency as part of its efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals on behalf of the Dutch government.