Communities at the heart of urban changes. A project about and for communities.

Ro3kvit, in partnership with INBO, Stipo, and Play the City, has launched an ambitious 18-month project aimed at involving Ukrainian communities in creating sustainable spatial solutions for cities. We will collaborate with municipalities and local organizations to develop tools that bridge the gap between decisions made at the government level and grassroots initiatives.
The main objectives of the project:
● Identifying effective ways to engage citizens in urban planning through pilot projects in 3-4 cities facing various war-related challenges.● Developing recommendations that can be applied in war conditions.● Exchanging knowledge between professionals in Ukraine and the Netherlands to spread successful community engagement practices.
25 November 2024, an Open Call will be launched for interested municipalities. After the selection process, participants will meet in Ukraine to discuss plans for the following summer, with fieldwork taking place from April to September 2025.

Three communities will receive support under the "Communities at the Heart of Urban Changes" project!
The support provided by the "Communities at the Heart of Urban Changes" project is a crucial step toward creating conditions for, empowering citizens, and enhancing the quality of life.
After a thorough review of the submitted applications, three communities will receive assistance to implement their initiatives:
● Lukashivka Community
● Chernivtsi Community
● Pidhaitsi Village territorial community
Lukashivka Community: Hurt - activating the rural population through multifunctional spaces
In the village of Lukashivka, home to approximately 350 residents, there is no community center—a common issue in many Ukrainian villages. The community’s project envisions transforming a non-operational school into a multifunctional space that will serve as the hub of local life.

Key aspects of the project:

● The school space will be repurposed to include a medical post, post office, administrative services, as well as cultural and educational segments.
● Through interviews, surveys, and workshops, the real needs of residents will be identified, allowing for the development of a project that reflects the community’s perspective.
● Informal meetings among residents will help build trust, eventually evolving into events where specific actions for revitalizing the space are discussed.
Chernivtsi Community: Spaces for growth
The "Growth Spaces" project for the Chernivtsi Community is aimed at transforming existing communal areas into permanent hubs that will serve as platforms for integrating internally displaced persons (IDPs) with local residents.

Key aspects of the project:

● The reorganization of spaces involves repurposing current halls—primarily used for evening meetings—into functional hubs for the daily activities of IDPs, thereby creating new opportunities for integration and interaction.
● By actively engaging local residents and IDPs, the project will help foster an environment where experience sharing and mutual support strengthen the community.
● Leveraging the successful experiences of both local and international partners will enable the establishment of stable operations for these communal spaces and ensure their long-term viability.
Pidhaitsi Village territorial community: Ecopark in the Konopelka River Valley
The project in the Pidhaitsi community focuses on developing the Konopelka River valley while preserving and restoring degraded wetland areas, which are part of highly valuable nature conservation territories.

Key objectives of the project:

● Creating an eco-park—a new space that will integrate nature conservation, educational, rehabilitation, and recreational functions to ensure the multifunctional use of the territory.
● Enhancing the participatory approach. The Youth Council and other community representatives have already taken part in the initial participatory event, ensuring that residents’ perspectives are incorporated into the development of the functional plan.
● Reconciling the needs of local residents (for instance, establishing an additional swimming beach) with the preservation of the unique ecosystem to prevent negative impacts from over-visitation.
● The project is implemented in collaboration with Dutch partners INBO, STIPO, and Play the City, and is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.

Our project partners:
STIPO — An international team based in the Netherlands, focusing on creating inclusive and resilient urban areas. Their core values include long-term thinking, fostering collective urban spaces, and encouraging collaboration among diverse stakeholders. STIPO emphasizes the importance of public spaces, community engagement, and sustainable development, aiming to build cities that prioritize social cohesion and the well-being of all residents. For more detailed information, visit STIPO.
INBO — An architecture and urban planning firm based in the Netherlands, specializing in creating vibrant and sustainable living environments. Their projects span residential, commercial, and public spaces, emphasizing innovative design, community engagement, and environmental responsibility. INBO's multidisciplinary team collaborates with clients and stakeholders to develop comprehensive solutions that address contemporary urban challenges. Their goal is to improve quality of life through thoughtful and adaptive planning and design. For more information, visit INBO.
12N — A Dutch organization specializing in strategic urban planning and design within participatory processes. They focus on creating sustainable, innovative, and socially inclusive urban environments. 12N’s approach integrates urban design with strategic planning to address complex urban challenges. By collaborating with public and private partners, 12N aims to develop adaptive and resilient urban spaces that meet the needs of diverse communities. Their work includes a wide range of projects, from urban master planning to detailed design, ensuring practical and forward-thinking solutions. For more details, visit 12N.
Play the City — An organization that develops interactive tools and methods to facilitate participatory urban planning. They engage citizens, governments, and developers in co-creating sustainable and inclusive urban spaces through "City Gaming." This approach uses game mechanics to solve real-life urban problems, allowing stakeholders to visualize and experiment with city development scenarios collaboratively. Play the City’s innovative methods foster active participation and creative problem-solving in urban design and planning. For more details, visit Play the City.
Stay tuned for updates and join the change with us!
The project is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.