Located right at the border with Russia, Kharkiv stands as Ukraine’s second-largest city and has been significantly impacted by the ongoing conflict. This historically relevant and industrial city now faces the pressing challenge of rebuilding its damaged urban fabric, with a particular focus on residential buildings and public spaces, to not only repair but to also to improve the living conditions of its residents.
The Kharkiv Housing Challenge is part of the larger Kharkiv concept Masterplan project: a local and international initiative of the Kharkiv City Council, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) within the framework of the UN4UkrainianCities initiative, the Norman Foster Foundation, Arup and the Kharkiv Architects Group, among others.
The winning concept design proposals of the Kharkiv Housing Challenge will be further developed into detail designs for future construction. This will be done in collaboration with locals under an upcoming funded phase. Given the modular nature of concrete panel housing blocks, building designs were replicated across Kharkiv. Consequently, winning proposals for the selected competition site will be potentially applicable to other residential areas in the city.
Brief
The Kharkiv Housing Challenge calls for the development of an innovative modular system capable of retrofitting existing concrete panel housing blocks and enhancing public spaces, to create safe, energy-efficient and vibrant neighbourhoods. The competition will focus on Saltivka, the most-populated district in Kharkiv with some 400,000 residents, and more precisely in North Saltivka, the most heavily damaged area since the start of the war against Ukraine. Given the similarity of residential areas across Kharkiv, this project aims to replicate the winning designs in other residential areas throughout the city.
As well as retrofitting concrete panel housing blocks, proposals must envisage re-erecting blocks that have been demolished due to irreparable damage. The system must also provide civil protection structures (bomb shelters).
Eligibility
The competition is open to everyone, and all communication, including presentations, must be conducted in English.
Awards
- 1st Prize: 6,000€
- 2nd Prize: 3,000€
- 3rd Prize: 1,000€
