Ro3kvit took part in the third UREHERIT conference "Reconstructing Ukraine: Heritage is Home”
On April 11, 2025, the third public conference of the UREHERIT project – “Reconstructing Ukraine: Heritage is Home” – took place at the National Gallery of Art in Vilnius. Organized by the Architects Association of Lithuania in collaboration with UREHERIT project partners, the hybrid-format event brought together over 60 participants on-site and 350 more online from across Europe and Ukraine.
The conference showcased the extensive and diverse work carried out across the project’s two-year timeline. Architects, urban planners, heritage experts, researchers, and policy-makers shared a wide range of studies and pilot project development.
Photo: Lukas Grušeckas
Event started shifting focus on assessing value and damage to the cultural heritage and technology in Ukraine. Experts from Italy and Ukraine presented comparative insights into damage assessment practices, drawing from both frontline documentation and strategic analysis. Olena Oliynyk (NUAU, UKR) and Marcelio Rossi (CNAPPC, IT) shared frameworks for identifying and evaluating war-inflicted damage, while also mapping the current needs for heritage protection. In parallel, Scandinavian perspectives on heritage value assessment were discussed by Adam Linde Nielsen, Fruzsina Boutros (KADK, DK) proposing adaptable methodologies for the Ukrainian context.
Another key area addressed was the tools for quality architectural solutions for cultural heritage: Ensuring participatory approach in heritage reconstruction; architectural design competition. The Estonian Association of Architects presented Urban Hacks as a creative method for enhancing public participation and activating community spaces. Daryna Pasyuta (Ro3kvit, UKR) introduced a methodology for inclusive heritage recovery, offering a framework that engages local communities in shaping strategies respectful of both memory and future needs. Tave Levonen (Shared City, SE) showcased HER City, a participatory planning tool adapted to the Ukrainian context, emphasizing the involvement of youth and marginalized groups in co-creating their environments. Daniel Fogenschuh (BKZT, AT) and Marian Kardash (NUAU, UKR) highlighted the value of architectural design competitions as a transparent and effective approach to ensure public accountability and design quality in post-war recovery projects. These practices reflect a growing commitment to democratic, inclusive, and community-responsive reconstruction.
The conference also addressed the pressing issue of Holistic renovation of modernist housing in Ukraine. Mykhailo Shevchenko (the Lviv Chief Architect's Office (UKR) presented an overview of the current housing situation, outlining the realities and urgent challenges faced by communities across the country. In response, Oleksandr Anisimov (Aalto University, NGO New Housing Policy, KhSA, UKR) discussed evolving housing policies in Ukraine aimed at meeting both immediate and long-term needs. Martynas Marozas (mmap, LT) shared draft recommendations for the holistic renovation of modernist residential areas, advocating for approaches that balance social, cultural, and environmental sustainability. The session also highlighted innovative student-led pilot projects developed in collaboration between Kaunas University of Technology (KTU, LT) and Kharkiv School of Architecture (KhSA, UKR), presented by Rūta Slavinskaitė and Daria Ozhyhanova.
Photo: Event live translation by zoom.tv
During the last session, the conference emphasized Capacity building with education and continued professional development in the practice. Iryna Matsevko and Daria Ozhyhanova (KhSA, UKR) presented key achievements in architectural education, including the second edition of a university course on critical reconstruction of cultural heritage and the development of an Atlas of Modernism, aimed at rethinking Soviet-era architecture.
Progress in professional development was highlighted by Pehr Mikael Sällström (Architects Sweden, SE) and Olena Oliynyk (NUAU, UKR), who shared updates on the CPD (Continuing Professional Development) program co-developed by Sweden and Ukraine. The program trains architects and planners in sustainable, inclusive recovery practices rooted in heritage values. Three pilot projects from the CPD program were showcased: the Katerynyck Palace in Bobrovytsya (Oksana Khoroshavina), the Mykolaiv House of Officers (Kateryna Khamelna), and the Potocki Palace in Ivano-Frankivsk (Anna Serbin), each reflecting diverse contexts and restoration strategies.
The event concluded with the panel discussion “UREHERIT: findings, results, impact”, moderated by Rūta Leitanaitė. The panel brought together leading voices in European and Ukrainian architecture and policy, including Carl Bäckstrand (Vice-President of the Architects’ Council of Europe), Oleksandr Chyzhevsky (President of NUAU, UKR), Tina Wik (Architects Sweden, SE), Olga Terefeyeva (NUAU, UKR), Hubert Trammer (NEB HLRT member, Ro3kvit, PL), and Mindaugas Pakalnis (former Chief Architect of Vilnius, LT). The conversation focused on cross-border collaboration, policy alignment, and the strategic role of cultural heritage in shaping Ukraine’s future recovery.
Photo: Lukas Grušeckas
The conference also featured two exhibitions that provided visual insights into the ongoing efforts of heritage recovery and professional development. The first exhibition, coordinated by the National Union of Architects of Ukraine (NUAU), showcased the UREHERIT process and is currently on display at the Architects Association of Lithuania. The second exhibition, presented by Architects Sweden, was held at the National Gallery of Art and illustrated the development of 12 pilot projects for CPD courses.
Photo: Vaiva Ž.
The project is a cooperation between the consortium of 11 organizations: Architects Association of Lithuania (LT), Architects Sweden (SE), Federal Chamber of Architects and Chartered Engineers BKZT (AT), Royal Danish Academy, The Institute of Technology and Architecture IBT (DK), Romanian Order of Architects OAR (RO), The National Council of Architects, Planners, Landscapers and Conservationists CNAPPC (IT), Federal Chamber of German Architects BAK (DE), Estonian Association of Architects (EE), The National Union of Architects of Ukraine (UA), Ro3kvit: Urban Coalition for Ukraine (UA), Kharkiv School of Architecture (UA) with the Architects’ Council of Europe (EU) as associated partner.
Event supported by the European Union, Lithuanian Culture Institute, and National Gallery of Art.