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Institute of Urban Development

COMMUNITY-LED

URBAN REGENERATION.

POLISH-UKRAINIAN

EXPERIENCE AND INSPIRATION

EDITED BY:

KAROL JANAS

MACIEJ TROJNAR

Kraków – Lwów 2014


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Te book Community-Led Urban Regeneration. Polish-Ukrainian experience and inspiration

was a part of tasks carried out by the Institute of Urban Development in Kraków in the pro-

ject Te Regeneration of Pidzamche District in Lviv 2014-2015 – phase III (PPR371/2014),co-financed by the Polish development cooperation programme of the Ministry of Foreign Af-

fairs of the Republic of Poland: www.polskapomoc.gov.pl

Project manager: Karol Janas, Ph.D. – Institute of Urban Development, Krakow, Poland.

Project coordinators in Ukraine: Maksym Lysak, Yaryna Melnyk – City Institute, Lviv, Ukraine.

Information on the project is available at the website: http://pidzamche.org.ua/index.php/en/

Te book Community-Led Urban Regeneration. Polish-Ukrainian experience and inspiration

was prepared by a team led by the editors: Karol Janas and Maciej rojnar.

Authors:

Karol Janas, Ph.D. – Institute of Urban Development in Kraków (introduction, chapter 1)

Wojciech Jarczewski, Ph.D. – Institute of Urban Development in Kraków (chapter 1)

Maciej Huculak – Institute of Urban Development in Kraków (chapter 1)

Andriy Bondarenko, Ph.D. – Center for Urban History of East Central Europe (chapter 2)

Natalya Mysak, Ph.D. candidate – Lviv Polytechnic University (chapter 3)

Agata Bloswick, Ph.D. – Civic initiative AdaSie (chapter 4)

Oksana Savchuk, Ph.D. candidate – Malmö University (chapter 5)

Te publication expresses exclusively the views of the author and cannot be identified with the

offi cial stance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland

Review: prof. dr hab. Zygmunt Ziobrowski

ranslation: Łukasz Konieczny

Graphic design, typesetting and text makeup: Studio Grafiki i DP Grafpa, www.grafpa.pl

Publisher:

Institute of Urban Development

ul. Cieszyńska 2, 30-015 Kraków

www.irm.krakow.pl

© Copyright by Institute of Urban Development, Kraków 2014

ISBN: 978-83-65105-02-8


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Видання “Відновлення міста із залученням громади. Польсько-український досвід та на-

дихаючі практики” було частиною завдань Інституту розвитку міст із Кракова у рамках

проекту “Ревіталізація району Підзамче у Львові 2014-2015 – етап ІІІ” (PPR371/2014), якийспівфінансувала Польська програма співробітництва заради розвитку Міністерства за-

кордонних справ Республіки Польща: www.polskapomoc.gov.pl

Керівник проекту: др. Кароль Янас – Інститут розвитку міста, Краків, Польща.

Координатори проекту в Україні: Максим Лисак, Ярина Мельник – Інститут міста, Львів.

Інформація про проект доступна на веб-сайті: http://pidzamche.org.ua/index.php/en/

Видання “Відновлення міста із залученням громади. Польсько-український досвід та надиха-

ючі практики” підготувала команда авторів за редакцією Кароля Янаса та Мачєя Тройнара.

Автори:

др. Кароль Янас – Інститут розвитку міст із Кракова (вступ, розділ 1)

др. Войцех Ярчевскі – Інститут розвитку міст із Кракова (розділ 1)

Мачей Гуцуляк – Інститут розвитку міст із Кракова (розділ 1)

др. Андрій Бондаренко – Центр міської історії Центрально-східної Європи (розділ 2)

Наталія Мисак – аспірант Національного університету “Львівська політехніка” (розділ 3)

др. Агата Блосвік – громадська активістка ініціативи AdaSie (розділ 4)

Оксана Савчук – аспірант Університету Мальме (розділ 5)

Видання висловлює виключно погляди авторів та не може вважатись офіційною позицією

Міністерства закордонних справ Республіки Польща

Рецензія: др. Зиґмунт Зьобровскі

Переклад: Лукаш Конєчни

Графічний дизайн та верстка: студія графіки та друкарських послуг “Ґрафпа”, www.grafpa.pl

Видавець:

Інститут розвитку міст

вул. Цєшинська 2, 30-015 Краків

www.irm.krakow.pl

©виключна ліцензія на видання – Інститут розвитку міст, Краків 2014

ISBN: 978-83-65105-02-8


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Community-Led Urban Regeneration.Polish-Ukrainian experience and inspiration

Karol Janas

Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 9

Karol Janas, Wojciech Jarczewski, Maciej Huculak

Pidzamche revitalization project ...................................................................................... 17

Andriy Bondarenko

Sites of Memory at Pidzamche: the Past in the Symbolic Landscapeof One of the Lviv Areas .................................................................................................... 49

Natalia Mysak Identity formation of non-central districts of Lviv: the role of local communityin designing of open public spaces ................................................................................... 59

Agata Bloswick

CanBdone (aDaSie) change your city ............................................................................... 77

Oksana Savchuk

Rethinking Lviv: urban development strategy analysis in the terms of sustainability

with an emphasis of green urbanism approach and urban agriculture in Sykhiv ............. 87


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Відновлення міста із залученням громади.Польсько-український досвід та надихаючі практики

Кароль Янас

Вступ ...................................................................................................................... 107

Кароль Янас, Войтек Ярчевскі, Мачей Гуцуляк

Проект ревіталізації Підзамча .................................................................................... 115

Андрій Бондаренко

Місця пам’яті на Підзамчі: Минуле у символічному ландшафті однієїльвівської дільниці ........................................................................................................ 147

Наталія МисакФормування ідентичності нецентральних районів Львова: роль локальноїспільноти у проектування відкритих громадських просторів .............................. 157

Агата Блосвік

Вдасться змінювати своє місто ................................................................................... 175

Оксана Савчук

Переосмислення Львова: аналіз стратегії міського розвитку в умовах

сталості з акцентом на підході зеленого урбанізму та міськійагрокультурі Сихова ..................................................................................................... 185


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COMMUNITY-LED

URBAN REGENERATION.

POLISH-UKRAINIAN EXPERIENCE

AND INSPIRATION


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Karol Janas

I

Boasting over 750 years of history, Lviv is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating Eu-ropean cities, yet for the most Europeans remains unexplored. Not only valuable monu-ments of architecture, unseen in any other Ukrainian city, but also its turbulent and

multi-ethnic history signify the cultural richness of the city. Tis very cultural diversityof Lviv heritage was one of the two main criteria by which the Old own complex wasinscribed to UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998.

Nowadays, Lviv is seen as an important spiritual and cultural centre of Ukraine, aswell as the most “European” of the Ukrainian cities. Tis European character is legitimizednot only by material heritage and history of the city, but also pro-European, reformist at-titude and aspirations shown by the authorities and residents. Tis conviction was empha-sized, long before Orange Revolution1, by honorary citizen of Lviv – Zbigniew Brzezinski:

1 Mass protests against the rigged presidential election in Ukraine in November 2004, which was won bya candidate supported by Russia – Viktor Yanukovych. Finally, the elections were annulled by the decisionof the Supreme Court. Te next election was won by an opposition candidate – Viktor Yushchenko. Tename comes from the colour that was a symbol of Yushchenko’s election staff. Due to internal divisionsand conflicts between the leaders of the former opposition parties there was a split in the orange campand, as a consequence of that fact, the power returned to Yanukovych’s Regions party and he becamea prime minister. In 2010 he was elected president. Lack of reforms, oligarchic structures and widespreadcorruption led to further social unrest in Ukraine. Yanukovych refused to sign Association Agreementwith the European Union and set strong pro-Russian course which were the immediate causes of anotherUkrainian revolution in 2013. Attempts to suppress civil protests on Independence Square – so-calledEuromaidan – by force led to bloodshed and hundredths of victims. Finally, Yanukovych was ousted frompower in February 2014 and fled to Russia. Te consequence of Ukrainian’s pro-European course is armedannexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia and the war in the eastern part of the country.


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„From the entire Ukraine, only Lviv embodies European identity[…] In this sense,Lviv plays a major role as the leader o the Ukrainian reorms and Ukrainian suc-

cess […] I am sure that Ukraine will become a ull-edged partner o united Eu-rope, and Lviv will play a special role in the process” 2.

Another Ukrainian revolution, which we witness now, is being done in the nameof European, democratic values. Many, especially young, Ukrainians are fully aware ofthe fact that it is, perhaps, the last chance for deep and lasting change in their country.What is more, they seem to realise that for this change to become sustainable, it is notonly necessary to carry out structural reforms, but also to be prepared for painstakinggrassroots work, building civil society, which will be able not only tolarge surges and

sacrifices, but also to take responsibility for the daily, local issues; to get involved in thelives of their communities, neighbours, districts and cities. Anyone who has visited Lvivabout 10 years ago might have got the impression that the city is on the skids and the fur-ther degradation is inevitable. Te changes that have taken place in Lviv during the lastdecade, from this perspective, are completely unimaginable. Among other things, due tothe wealth of cultural heritage, but also through determination, enterprise and creativ-ity of the residents, the streets of Lviv downtown today are filled with crowds of localsand tourists. Te rapid development and modernization of tourism services sector wassupported by the city authorities who, despite a limited budget and strongly centralized

state, managed to renew the historic centre of the city and improve the infrastructure.In this regard, co-organization of the UEFA European Football Championship is seen asa perfectly sized opportunity for the development of the city. (EURO 2012).

Nevertheless, the potential of the city, not just touristic, is still far from being recog-nised, which is best seen in comparison with the second large city of the former Galicia,Krakow, which is visited annually by nearly 10 million tourists and attracts numerousforeign investors.

Te most significant metamorphosis happened at the very centre of Lviv, but, outsidethe Old own, there are large downtown areas where improvements occur rather slowlyor, what is even worse, the city tissue and community experience further degradation.

In 2009, the Lviv City Council established a unique institution – Institute of the Cityof Lviv, which is supposed to be an analytical and advisory centre created to combine ef-forts of residents, local authorities and a private sector in order to achieve strategic ob-

jectives concerning the development of the city. Tis Lviv think-tank, consisted of overa dozen of young and ambitious experts, aims at, inter alia, the implementation of bestpractices in policies concerning urban development in Lviv.

2 Brzeziński Z., 1999, Speech in front of the Council of the City of Lviv. Ukraine – Poland. Te role andplace in the European integration, Independent Cultural Journal “Ї”, No. 14.

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Fig. 1 Market Square (Rynok) in Lviv during reconstruction, K. Janas 2011

In the meantime a framework of revitalisation policy had been planned in Poland. Itwould provide a new impulse to the development of many Polish cities facing the degra-dation of inner-city areas, especially downtown areas and historic city centres.

Urban Development Institute (Instytut Rozwoju Miast, IRM) in Krakow becamethe leading centre of expertise as far as the revitalization and urban policy is concerned,primarily due to realisation of a complex research project devoted to polish and foreignexperience in revitalisation3. Revitalisation, one of the key elements of the emerging ur-ban policy, is rooted in Poland with the advent of the funds from the European Unionprogrammes.

Polish experience in this field, taking into account the conditions typical for Cen-tral European cities, proved to be extremely interesting also for our Ukrainian partners.

ransfer of this experience happened due to the Polish Aid program funded by theMinistry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland. In 2011, the Urban DevelopmentInstitute in Krakow together with the Institute of the City of Lviv developed a regenera-

3 Project called „Revitalization of polish cities as a method of preserving material and spiritual heritageand factors of sustainable development”, ordered by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education andimplemented by a research consortium of the Institute of Urban Development, Jagiellonian Universityand the School of Economics in 2007–2010.

INTRODUCTION


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tion programme for Lviv – Pidzamche for 2012-2025.4 (2011). Te preparation of theprogram was a part of the project called “Improving the quality of life of residents as

a result of Lviv downtown revitalization programme” 5 Tis project not only enabled the transfer of relatively fresh Polish experience in the

field of regeneration, but also was the beginning of a lasting cooperation between IRM,Institute of the City of Lviv and a number of other institutions and organizations that areactively engaged in the implementation of objectives of the Program.

Initially, IRM, as a research institution, was not planning to actively participate inthe implementation of the prepared program, however, encouraged by the Ukrainianpartners, who hoped for the rapid implementation, we proposed the following projectsunder the Polish Aid (Polska Pomoc Rozwojowa). Revitalization of the Pidzamche be-

gan in 2013 due to the funding of the project called Revitalization of Pidzamche back-yards – professionalization of the management of municipal housing resources in Lviv.6 Due to the fact that housing is, and will be, one of the main functions of Pidzamche, thefirst task in the Programme was aimed at improving the residential area. In 2014, theaction was continued in an even wider range by the project called Revitalization of thePidzamche district in Lviv 2014–2015 – Phase III7 Some other activities has been sched-uled to be implemented under the Pidzamche revitalization project. At this stage, apartfrom the satisfaction associated with the implementation of specific projects, we also en-

joyed watching the first effects of our actions which referred to the revitalization of this

almost completely forgotten and neglected part of Lviv downtown.Te purpose of this publication is to present and promote our experience and re-

sults of the revitalization conducted in Ukraine to a wider audience. It turned out thatthe transfer of experience goes both ways. Pidzamche revitalisation, due to the scale ofthe challenge and relatively limited resources which we had, forced out-of-the-box ap-proach and application of innovative solutions. Te key to success, as it turned out, wasthe liberation of local resources, activation and involvement of the residents at everystage of the project. Public participation in the context of revitalisation occurs very of-ten, but in most cases remains an empty slogan and is limited to informing residentsabout already planned activities. Nothing but Lviv experience has shown us the true

value of a participatory approach and, at the same time, underscored what a great effortis required for its realisation. Tese experiences have also become the starting point for

4 Te electronic version of this program is available in polish and ukrainian and can be found at ZakładuBadań Procesów Rozwojowych w Krajach Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej IRM web page: http://ceeurope.weebly.com/

5 Poprawa jakości życia mieszkańców jako eekt programu rewitalizacji centrum miasta Lwowa.6 Rewitalizacja podwórek Podzamcza – proesjonalizacja zarządzania komunalnymi zasobami

mieszkaniowymi Lwowa7 Rewitalizacja dzielnicy Podzamcze we Lwowie 2014-2015 – etap III

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Fig. 2 View on Pidzamche from Charnovola str., J. Morykvas 2014

a broader look at the potential residing in local communities, which should be used toimprove living conditions and stimulate local development.

Recently, also in the EU, demands for the use of the new approach, which is calledCommunity Led Local Development, appeared.

We tried to test the main ideas of this approach in the context of activities carriedout in the third stage of the revitalization of Pidzamche. Last but not least, the experi-ence gained due to our Lviv projects under the Polish Aid shows that revitalization, be-cause of its multidimensionality and involvement of many different subjects. from localauthorities, various public institutions and social organizations, private companies toresidents, is an excellent tool for development assistance provision and, what is more,has an enormous potential as a foreign policy instrument. Young Ukrainian scientistswho write about the social and urban phenomena and processes in Lviv were invited tocontribute to this publication.

Andriy Bondarenko presents us the symbolic landscape of Pidzamche and how thehistory shaped this place. Natalia Mysak describes the role of residents in the creation ofpublic space in peripheral areas of the city and links this process to the act of forming foun-dations of local identity. Oksana Savchuk examines the city’s development strategies for the

challenges of sustainable development. Tere is an interesting example of informal activi-ties known as urban farming, which take place in Sykhiv district, the largest residential dis-

INTRODUCTION


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Fig. 3 Study visit in Poland, Krakow – Nowa Huta ARzona local initiative, K. Janas 2014

trict of Lviv, a typical residential area full of apartment blocks built in the 80s. Last but notleast, Agata Bolswick from Krakow, presents a very interesting grassroots initiative, which

aim is to improve their place of living. „AdaSie” (“CanBdone”) initiative clearly shows howmuch can be done if we unleash the potential residing in citizens. Tese experiences in-spired our Ukrainian partners who have the opportunity to become acquainted with themduring a study visit in Poland – which was also part of the project.

At this point I would also like to thank our Ukrainian partners, the entire team ofthe Institute of the City of Lviv under the leadership of Oleksandr Kobzarev, who is incharge of Pidzamche revitalisation project. Special thanks also to Yaryna Melnyk, whospent every day, including weekends, to deal with the project coordination realised inPidzamche, activation and negotiations with local residents as well as reconciling the in-

terests of various parties and subjects.We are also grateful to all the people and institutions that has been actively en-

gaged in the process and provided us with support – especially to Mayor and CityCouncil of Lviv and other employees of the city administration. Special thanks to LidiaOnyszczenko-Szwec, a manager of Department of Sport and Recreation, and her em-ployees for the financial and organizational support with the revitalization of City-bor-ough playgrounds, Shevchenkivskyi Region administration.

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Fig. 4 Residents of Pidzamche taking part in discussion with the architects, K. Janas 2014

We would like to express our gratitude to architects and planners from the lypneva.com association for preparing architectural designs and construction works supervisionas well as to the former chief architect of the city, Professor Yuri Kryvoruchko of LvivPolytechnic for his kind support and wise counsel. Tanks go to the experts of the UrbanHistory of East-Central Europe and historian Andriy Bondarenko; YOA initiative ledby Ola Kotska – main coordinator of Neighbours’ Festival in Pidzamche district; Cul-tural Industries Association which aim is to use post-industrial buildings of Pidzamchefor cultural and creative purposes; artists associated with street art studio Kickit; Ger-man organization called GIZ under the direction of Mrs. Iris Gleichmann, which imple-ments long-term program of Lviv Old own revitalization, for significant support withcompleting historic gates revitalization project in Pidzamche district.

Last but not least, our gratitude goes to all residents of Pidzamche district whotrusted us and decided to become actively involved in all efforts to improve the place oftheir residence, oen by contributing their own work and time.

INTRODUCTION


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Karol Janas

Wojciech JarczewskiMaciej Huculak

P

Pidzamche8 is historically one of the oldest parts of Lviv extending to the north and westside of the Castle Hill. oday, the landscape of Pidzamche is dominated by tenements

from the turn of the 19th and 20th century and industrial buildings from the same pe-riod as well as those created aer World War II. It can be said that modern Pidzamchewas, and still is, a working-class district. Te greater part of Pidzamche was on the UN-ESCO World Heritage List due to the historic urban layout, material culture and the Jew-ish heritage, historical centre of Lviv was inscribed to the List in 1998.

Pidzamche, among other things, due to its working-class character and liquidationor relocation of numerous Soviet-period industrial facilities and almost complete popu-lation replacement, is now degraded and requires significant investment. Te northernpart of this area seems to be in particularly bad situation, mostly due to the separationfrom the city centre by a Lviv – Kyiv railway line. Despite the close proximity of the his-toric centre, the mentioned barrier blocks all development impulses generated by thecity. Because of its industrial character, this part of the city is not seen as an attractiveresidential neighbourhood. Te area is generally inhabited by poorer people, oen un-able to upkeep their own houses, not to mention the new investments.

8 „Pidzamche” functions as a common name in Lviv. It is not and it was not the district in an administrativesense. As far as offi cial naming is concerned, the name „Pidzamche” functions in Lviv as the name of therailway station and the name of a narrow street near this station.


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wo revitalization programs were introduced in 2011:1. Inner-city concept of the central Lviv development (Інтегрована концепція…

2011) prepared and realised by German company called GIZ (Deutsche Gesells-cha fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH) covering the area of nearly 190 haof the Lviv city centre including Main Market Square and southern Pidzamche.

2. Te revitalization of the Lviv- Pidzamche 2012-2025, preprared by Institute of Ur-ban Development (Instytut Rozwoju Miast, IRM) from Cracow cooperating withCity Institute from Lviv, which covered the most degraded part of Pidzamche – therealisation has begun in 2013. Tis program was funded by Ministry of Foreign Af-fairs of the Republic of Poland in the framework of Polish Aid 2011 (Polska PomocRozwojowa 2011).

In the initial stage (up to 2017), the program prepared by the IRM assumes the im-plementation of a range of numerous, and covering different fields, smaller projects.Teir main purpose, apart from improving the aesthetics of the urban space in order toenhance the attractiveness of the area, is to awaken residents and other users’ Hope thatthis district has a prospect of growth and development, and that the residents themselvescan, to some extent, improve the place where they live (program ... 2011).

In 2012, Lviv was focused mainly on preparation for EURO 2012 and Pidzamche,especially its northern part, found itself on the sidelines of these events. Major infra-

structure projects and the launch of the revitalization program were postponed to 2013.

Accomplishments of 2013

Due to limited resources available to the local government, the implementation of theprogram would not have been possible without a positive decision of the Ministry ofForeign Affairs of the Republic of Poland concerning financing of the project called Re-vitalization o Pidzamche backyards – proessionalization o the management o municipalhousing resources in Lviv 9 in the framework of Polish Aid program. Among a number ofprojects included in the Revitalization Program, in the first place, we decided to carryout the following tasks:• ask 1: Backyards revitalization• ask 2: Pidzamche Guide (i.e. ales of Pidzamche)• ask 9: Mural zone• ask 10: Places of activity – parks and playgrounds renewal.

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Rewitalizacja podwórek Podzamcza – proesjonalizacja zarządzania komunalnymi zasobamimieszkaniowymi Lwowa

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We have considered the revitalization of five courtyards and a couple of selectedpublic spaces as the key activities in this phase of the revitalization program. Te murals

were additional tasks but their implementation affected area aesthetic. Creation of alesof Pidzamche proved to be more complex task than writing an ordinary guide. Descrip-tion of interesting places, related people and events, despite pointing out some clues, hasnot provided the potential for the legend or the myth of ales of Pidzamche to be gener-ally recognized. Mini-guide developed by Dr. Andrij Bondarenko of Centre for UrbanHistory of East-Central Europe should be a good starting point for the further actionsaimed at building the district identity.

Te time allocated for the project was about 10 months, starting from the date ofthe public disclosure and provision of financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Af-

fairs, proved to be quite a challenge. It soon became apparent that the ambitions of ourUkrainian partners went significantly beyond the original assumptions, which resultedin the search for additional resources and different ways of project implementation.

Study visit to Poland, planned within the project and attended by employees of theCity Institute of Lviv, municipal offi cials and representatives of the City Council as wellas architects gathered in the NGO called Lypneva.com, turned out to be extremely help-ful. Te series of study visits provided an insight into similar projects implemented inthree Polish cities – in Cracow, Katowice and Wroclaw.

Provided information proved to be extremely helpful and inspiring for the develop-

ment of general guidelines, which we wanted to follow when realising our objectives in Lviv.

1. Participatory approach – In almost every case, the ultimate success of the project,especially in the long term, was determined by the inhabitants’ involvement. Tesustainability of the changes depended on the degree of the participation. Full com-mitment is not understood as consulting only (oen limited to information on theplanned activities), but as the real inclusion of citizens in the planning process aswell as in the implementation of projects.

2. Te low-budget approach in the name of “use less, make more” rule – an approachthat has been somewhat forced not only by the limited budget of the project, butalso realities. It is unlikely that Lviv – not to mention Pidzamche itself – could ob-tain any significant funds for revitalization in the near future. Optimization and themost effi cient use of remaining resources seemed to be the best option. Polish expe-rience of micro-projects concerning revitalization showed how much can be doneby the maximum utilisation of even limited resources. Sometimes, only a relativelylittle support from the outside or even just “a bit of assistance” in planning and or-ganization is enough to conduct a project. Te mobilization of forces, gaining thewidest possible support, not only from the city, but also from NGOs, local institu-

tions, the private sector, the media, etc.

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3. Demonstration/instructional projects – not only to show what has been done, butmost of all, how it was done, in order to encourage other residents, residential com-

munities, to take part in the improvement of their immediate environment. Promo-tion, talking about the positive changes taking place on Pidzamche should also con-tribute to the process of overcoming the negative reception of this part of the cityand draw attention to the positive actions.

Te process of the project realisation consisted of four main phases:1. Backyards and space for revitalization selection, public consultation and the provi-

sion of additional funding (grant awarded by the City Council of Lviv) – approx. 3months

2. Preparation of architectural projects and other documents needed to obtain permitsto carry out construction activities – approx. 3 months

3. Searching for contractors, negotiating budgets and organization of the work of vol-unteers – (approx. 1 month)

4. Investment implementation (approx. 4 months)

Te yards selection process itself proved to be much more diffi cult task than weexpected and because of the reasons we did not foreseen. At first, we were worried thatthere will be too many yards reported for revitalization. We did our best to set transpar-

ent rules and base the selection on clear and understandable criteria. We even plannedto carry out the competition, which would allow for the selection of the most motivatedgroups of inhabitants. In the end, due to time constraints, we established a special com-mittee of the representatives of local administration, municipal offi cials and profession-als, which was supposed to choose the most suitable locations. o our surprise, a numberof residents were reluctant to any changes on their backyards. In fact, the challenge wasnot the selection of the suitable spot but rather overcoming the residents’ distrust andconvincing the people to cooperate.

Te process of designing that involves public consultations

Te young architects from the NGO lypneva.com – Andriy Szuliar, Oksana Savczuk andNatalia Mysak started to prepare architectural concepts for the locations selected by thecommittee. Tese ideas were then visualized and presented to interested residents todiscuss. Undoubtedly, the design phase had proved to be an important part of the wholeprocess of backyards and public spaces revitalization. Despite the limitations associat-ed with a low budget and people reluctance – the design team wanted to come up with

something innovative, interesting and worth imitating but also based on Polish and oth-er western cities’ experience. Te final results of design work, though perhaps not quite



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as bold and spectacular as the initial assumptions were, managed to consume and adaptto the expectations of residents without losing the innovative character.

At the design stage, just aer the preparation of the initial concept of architecturaland urban planning, it turned out that the project planned for one of the pre-qualifiedcourtyards (at 11 and 13 Pidzamche St.) will not be realised. Te main problem wasa large group of residents who categorically refused to communicate or engage in anydebate over proposed amendments.

All in all, 5 projects were completed:• playground at Khmelnitskoho St.,• three courtyards, which were combined into one shared space between the Khmel-

nitskoho St. and Zhovkivska St. (74, 76 and 78 Khmelnytsky St.),

• a small square called Krynychna ploshcha in front of Pidzamche railway station.

We did not organize the consultations in the classrooms provided by a nearby el-ementary school. In school, we would be hosts and residents – guests. Meetings helddirectly in the backyards turned the perspective completely. We, the project team, wereguests and residents were “at home” acting as hosts. In this way, it was easier to discuss

various ideas and solutions on the spot, which limited, but not eliminated, the use ofgraphics, plans and visuals. In total, the project team participated in several such meet-ings. Each stage, and the new changes made to the project (e.g. concerning budgetary

constraints) were discussed and negotiated with the locals. Each subsequent meetingwas more fruitful due to the growth of mutual trust and we soon observed that people,who initially presented a highly demanding attitude, not only willingly contributed tothe discussion, but began to initiate their own activities. One of the key factors that ul-timately led to the involvement of some reluctant inhabitants were commitment andextraordinary communication skills presented by the manager of the project team – An-driy Szuliar and investment activities coordinators of the Institute of the City – MaksymLysak and Yaryna Melnyk. Selection of a local leader for each project was one of the mostimportant moments in the whole initiative – the most active and committed person be-came the representative of the whole community. Tis person, in the later stages, alsocoordinated the flow of information between the residents and the coordinator of theUkrainian side and the district administration.

In order to ensure an increased sense of responsibility for the completed projects, we

initially assumed that residents will participate in financing the projects, especially in the

activities involving the revitalization of backyards. Tis principle applies as far as the Ger-

man GIZ and a number of different projects in the very downtown of Lviv are concerned,

provided that the direct beneficiaries are residents of a particular building. Te aforemen-

tioned situation of Pidzamche and the fact that a significant proportion of the population iscomprised of pensioners and people with low income meant that such a solution could not



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be implemented. In return, however, residents pledged to perform part of the work, which

has significantly lowered costs. Even the local parish designated their own volunteers for the

renewal of a playground, which was particularly popular among the inhabitants. Part of thework was carried out also in the form of a fun activity by those who were the most interested

in – the kids, who under their mothers and grandmothers supervision, painted a new fence.

Due to the advertising in the local media, Lviv art collective called Kickit offered help in the

restoration of Pidzamche. In their spare time, artists prepared a dra of murals, which were

later on painted for free. We were to provide paints and prepare the surface (plaster filling

and wall priming). Te largest expense turned out to be the cost of hiring and installing scaf-

folding, the application of which was necessary because of the size of the mural. We were

also requested to protect the structure against a the, which was an unexpected diffi culty.

Tanks to effective participatory activities which resulted in establishing good relations withthe locals, we managed to find a person who, for a small fee, was guarding the construction

site. Owning to the information given by one of the residents, we were able to recover small

construction equipment, which had been stolen earlier. Tis phone call was the best proof

that some residents felt responsible for their immediate environment and place of residence.

Tey accepted interventions conducted by the project and treat them as their own.

Planned and executed objectives

11 and 13 Pidzamche St. – unrealised project

A backyard at 11 and 13 Pidzamche St. from the perspective of project objectivesand capabilities seemed a suitable place for a model revitalization process. It is the classic“well” surrounded by tenement houses, relatively small in terms of space, serving sev-eral families. Te area has already been adjusted to their needs – we noted a presence ofbenches, several playground devices, a sandbox and numerous cords for hanging laun-dry as well as urban greenery like trees and bushes. It seemed that people have been ac-tively using and adapting this space to their needs. Our intervention might have been anopportunity for using it more oen, while keeping it in good condition. A considerabledegree of degradation of the area and lack of means and resources available for residentsspoke for carrying out the project of the yard revitalization. An additional aim was tointegrate inhabitants of the buildings surrounding the yard.

During the consultation three main purposes of the yard were defined:• leisure and meeting place for adults, especially the elderly • kids’ playground• laundry drying

With regard to the mentioned needs, a team of architects prepared a project of revitalization. It was assumed that a small piece of green will fit around a large tree, next



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Fig. 5 Backyard at 11-13 Pidzamche st.

to it there will be benches with a table and a small playground. Laundry drying functionwas to be maintained. Unfortunately, the residents were reluctant to accept this projectand did not indicate any other desirable improvements, apart from repairing a part ofthe surface. Te renewal of the main gate was a frequently raised expectation but this wasbeyond the scope of the project. Te main concern among the residents was that the newplayground will attract large number of kids and, as a consequence, will generate noise.As a result, despite a number of mediation and meetings, we had to abandon this project.

Playground at Khmelnitskoho St.

In the central part of Pidzamche there is a playground, which was built in the 80s ofthe twentieth century, and since then, except for the addition of several devices, it wasnot renovated at all. Part of the devices were damaged and even posed a threat to thesafety of children playing there. However, this is a place frequently visited by local resi-dents and identified by them as an important and worth renewing. Te main advantageof the place is its openness, relatively low buildings surrounding the plaza allow somesunshine from time to time. A couple of large, old trees provide the place with a cosycharacter of a green enclave.

Te main objective of the project was to change the current, linear array of thesquare (Fig. 3) to the concentric one. Te idea was that children can play in the middle



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Fig. 6 Playground at Khmelnitskoho st. before revitalization – public consultations

of the playground, while their parents were able to sit outside seeing all the devices. Dur-ing the consultation, parents frequently asked for a paved path, where the children couldride on skateboards, bikes, scooters and parents could walk with strollers. It was decidedthat an alley, paved with pressed brick and cement, will serve this function. At the sametime, the wider part of the pavement will be converted into a mini-pitch to play basket-ball. An important element of the project was painting the walls of houses surroundingthe whole area by artists from Kickit group. Te renewal of the playground at Khmelny-tsky St. involved, inter alia, the following works:• Dismantlement of the old equipment, including the walls imitating a castle. Cor-

roded parts and lack of adequate safety measures posed a threat to the well-being ofchildren using the site. Moreover, the castle towers were oen used as a public toilet.

• Removal of the old and damaged surface and land levelling.• Installation of new equipment (ladders, climbing wall, basketball basket, swing, out-

door table tennis table) and movement of already existing facilities in order to provide more space and enable parents to look aer the children.

• Installation of new benches using existing elements like concrete legs and the foun-dations of the demolished walls, also installation of new bins.

• installation of new lighting and adjusting the electrical installation using existinglight poles



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Fig. 7 Graffi ti painting at the playground, K. Janas 2013.

Fig. 8 Playground at Khmelickoho st. aer revitalization, K. Janas 2013



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Fig. 9 Backyard revitalization project – visualization

• construction of a stage platform• construction of new, paved alleys and creating a space to play with sand

• construction of a new metal fence from the side of a street• facilitate the use of the square by parents with strollers and the elderly, by making

a comfortable and spacious entrances instead of the existing castle-towers gates• walls of adjacent buildings preparation (plaster fillings and wall priming) and paint-

ing a mural

During the realisation, a lot of effort was put to reuse already existing infrastructureas well as disassembled materials. Tanks to that, we managed to build additional climb-ing ladders, a bike rack and roofs for sandboxes, which construction based on founda-

tions of the demolished castle-towers.

Tree backyards between Khmelnytskoho and Zhovkivska Streets

(83, 85 and 87 Khmelnytskoho St.) – urban garden project

In the context of the revitalization project failure at Pidzamche Street, we were look-ing for an opportunity for revitalizing a courtyard in a classic way. Our partner – the Insti-tute of the City of Lviv – drew our attention to the particular “didactic” and demonstrativepotential of our revitalization projects at 83, 85 and 87 Khmelnytsky St. Due to semi-open



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Fig. 10 Courtyards at Khmelnitskoho – the first meeting with residents

Fig. 11 Residents celbrating an opening of their backyard (not vegetated yet)



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Fig. 12 Te Krynichna square aer revitalization, E. Shcheholskyi 2014

character of revitalized backyards – they are not enclosed from Zolkiewska St. – the resultsof the project are available for all the pedestrians. In the context of the entire Pidzamche re-

vitalization program an implementation of such “demonstrational” backyards is importantbecause it clearly shows what can be done using very limited resources.

Tose three adjacent backyards were separated by symbolic paths and curbs, hence,one could immediately see the potential of combining them into one larger whole. Lo-cal residents managed to set aside some space for flower beds on trampled and destroyedby cars lawn. It was the inspiration for an urban garden, an idea immediately approvedby the locals, where flowers, shrubs and even vegetable could be planted. It was also nec-essary to set the parking zone for cars and to physically separate it from the green area.Wooden crates, previously used for flowers transportation, were used to build such a bar-

rier (Fig. 5). Part of the lawn was devoted to create volleyball court. Demolition of a quitelarge brick outbuilding, which was about to collapse, was also a part of the project.

A construction of the fence provided us with a serious dilemma. Residents demandedthe construction of a high and closed fence, because they were afraid that the renewed areacan be quickly devastated. We proposed a construction of the fence, but without a gate andwicket, so the space was at least partially open. Determined residents, in just a few daysaer the completion of the fence, split the bill for the gate installation and completely shutthe space. Residents, with a great enthusiasm, joined in the planting of shrubs and trees



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purchased under the project and committed to further work in the next gardening season.Tey also bought a swing that is supposed to be installed next spring. Kickit group painted

special “garden” graffi ti and, on a special request of one of the residents, a huge smiling sun.

Kryniczny Square Revitalization (vis a vis Pidzamche railway station)

Restoration of the square in front of Pidzamche railway station, even though rela-tively simple, turned out to be a significant project. It is an important transportation hubfor people working in the downtown because the station is much closer to the Lviv cen-tre than the Main Station. What is more, there is also a major bus and taxi stop.

Our main task was to build benches for waiting commuters and to trim the wil-low, because the tree branches provided a shelter for people consuming alcohol. We also

started preparing technical documentation necessary to run the fountain.

Actvities and projects in 2014

Te next stage of Pidzamche revitalization project implemented under the Polish Aid2014 was associated with a number of challenges. Firstly, the scale of the activitiesplanned for implementation in 2014 was three times larger than what had been achievedthe year before. An additional diffi culty was related to the current political and socialevents and the invasion of Russia in the Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Although Lviv is

located away from areas where military operations are under way, for some time it wasnot certain whether the program is going to be continued. All in all, the project receiveda green light from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the end of March. Due to thisdelay, the time available for the implementation of all planned activities was shortened toless than nine months. At that time, we had to fulfil a number of tasks, which consistedof four main activities:• ask 1: Revitalization of two yards and three public spaces (squares, pieces of public

greenery, playgrounds, et al.);• ask 2: Promotion of material and spiritual heritage of Pidzamche district;• ask 3: Continuation of training the people involved in the Pidzamche revitaliza-

tion project;• ask 4: Revitalization of the three historic gates.

Nevertheless, we looked forward to new challenges as we were equipped with expe-rience gained during the implementation of our previous projects.

Activities related to the revitalization of courtyards and public spaces in Pidzamche,which we managed to accomplish in 2013, apart from the direct results seen as improve-

ment of the quality and aesthetics of the residential areas, brought some other benefits,even more important from the point of view of the entire program. Successful completion



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of the ongoing projects in a relatively short period of time meant that there was a glimmerof hope for the further changes related to revitalization. Pidzamche revitalization activi-

ties were accompanied by a very strong interest in the local media, which resulted in morethan sixty appearances in press and television. Information about obtaining funding forproject continuation also received a wide coverage. Increased trust from local communi-ties was another added value of the previous projects. A year ago, it was a challenge to finda yard whose users would agree for any revitalization activities. Te process of planningand implementing major works with local residents’ involvement requested enormous ef-fort and time. Tis year, on the other hand, the locals themselves submitted proposals ofplaces that require revampment. It was necessary to make a selection.

From the beginning, social participation and social aspect of revitalization were one

of the main objectives adapted by the program. What is more, we treated the public involvement not only as a method of achieving greater effi ciency and durability of concreteprojects, but also as an aim itself.

It is one’s own backyard from where a community should begin to be built. Suchcommunity will actively participate in the life of a district, city and, as a result, createa truly civil society, which should be a foundation of democracy (Parfitt 200410). Activa-tion of the local community was not an easy task, not all projects in this area had beensuccessful, nevertheless, this effort was not wasted. Tanks to the efforts of the residents,we were able to achieve a lot more than had been initially expected. Te appearance of

a sense of responsibility for jointly developed space was crucial. Due to that fact, renovated playgrounds will not be devastated and revitalized backyards’ greenery will betaken care of. Encouraged by the last year’s positive results owning to the activation andresidents’ involvement in both planning and implementation, we decided to go a stepfurther and try to introduce, in the scope of revitalization program, a new European Un-ion urban development approach called Community Led Local Development

Objectives of the next phase of the Pidzamche revitalization program were publiclypresented on 6th of March 2014 during a meeting with residents at the Shevchenkivskyidistrict administration headquarters (in this district, Pidzamche is situated). During themeeting participants have expressed a great interest, offering certain objects for revitali-zation and sharing their own views on the project. Locals who have participated in theproject last year also attended the meeting; they have shared their experience of coopera-tion and appreciated the work that had been already done. Many of the arrivals declaredtheir willingness to participate in future projects in advance and submitted their propos-als for places that needed to be renewed.

10 Parfitt, . (2004) Te ambiguity of participation: a qualified defence of participatory development TirdWorld Quarterly, Vol.25 ss: 537-556



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Te next step was the announcement of the possibility to formulate suggestions ofplaces and objects that will be renovated as a part of the 2014 revitalization: backyards;

public spaces such as squares, plazas, playgrounds etc.; historic gates and places thatwould be suitable for murals / graffi ti paintings. Tis information appeared in the localpress, but also in the form of street ads.

Applications were accepted by the end of April by filling a form on the revitalizationproject website, but also in person at the Institute of the City. Each application requesteda justification for the choice of the location and the outline of the idea as well as infor-mation about where the location is situated and also personal information on the citizenwho made the nomination.

Te final selection of sites that were qualified to the project was done by the com-

mittee, which included: the representative of the local government from Shevchenkivs-kyi Region, housing expert Mr. aras Zozulya, manager of cultural heritage protectionoffi ce of Lviv, Mrs. Liliya Onyshchenko-Shvets, director of the Institute of the City, Mr.Oleksandr Kobzarew, urban planning expert, Mr. Stefan Gabi and project manager, Mr.Karol Janas from the Institute of Urban Development. Before the decision-making pro-cess, the commission had visited all objects at Pidzamche registered within the projectby its residents. Tus, the commission members could evaluate by themselves the condi-tion of the objects and their eligibility. When choosing places and objects for revitaliza-tion, members of the committee took into account various criteria, for instance: the pre-

vious activity and local residents’ willingness to cooperate, public availability, the degreeof degradation and possible barriers that might call into question the viability of the task.

Eight gates, eight yards, and fieen public spaces were submitted to the competition.It was decided that two yards – at 12 Skydan St. and 105 Khmelnytsky St. – three publicspaces: the playground at the corner of Zhovkiska St. and Ostryanica St., the square atSkydan St. and the park at the 76 Khmelnytsky St. at the end of Strimka St. were goingto be renovated.

Te next step was to organize meetings with residents in order to inform them aboutlaunching the projects, establish contacts, and recognize their willingness to cooperationand the nature of the support they could provide. Te first series of meetings was heldon 16th of April. For each project location, a contact person from the local communityhad been selected, whose role was to maintain communication between the residents andthe operator of the project (City Institute), and coordination of residents’ activities. Tesemeetings were also participated by a design team led by Natalia Mysak, which createda list of the main problems identified by residents and the proposed solutions and their ex-pectations regarding the appearance and functionality of the revitalized areas. Inhabitantsanswered four main questions: What do you like in place? What do you not like? What

would you like to see there? What should be avoided? Ten, the answers were recorded onfour boards – one for each question. o our surprise, the residents did not have any major



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Fig. 13 Residents presenting projects prepared by themselves

problems with the formulation of their expectations and vision. Some of them preparedthemselves beforehand, bringing their own sketches and proposals of space arrangement.

Te design team needed approximately 2 months to prepare dra projects and visu-alizations which were presented and discussed with the residents in July. Designers pre-sented their concepts, indicating how they had taken into account the inhabitants’ ideas.During these meetings, residents’ solutions were implemented to the projects and thefinal decisions were taken.

A revitalization operator, basing on completed projects and specifications preparedby the architects, began collecting offers of potential construction and renovation con-tractors. A part of the preparatory works related to the area drainage, supplementationand connection to the lighting system, removal of debris and garbage, were commis-sioned to the public utility company.

In the case of the square at the corner of Strimki St. and Khmelnytsky St. and theother two plazas, it was necessary to perform dendrochronological expertise and cutdown rotten trees. Te most time-consuming were all kinds of formal and legal arrange-ments and obtaining permits from the relevant authorities. During these meetings vari-ous discrepancies between the documentation and the actual state were revealed. All this

matters resulted in a delay of the investment works. As a result, projects were subjectedto the further modifications.



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Fig. 15 Final project proposal for the backyard at 12 Ostryanitsi St.

Fig. 14 Final project proposal for the corner square at Khmelnickoho and Strimki St.



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Fig. 16 Doors renovation works at 2 Ohirkova St

Tis year’s revitalization of the three historic gates was a completely new task. Amongthe applications submitted by residents, the gates were presenting the highest artistic val-

ue as far as site inspection assessment is concerned, thus they were selected. Tis ideawas taken from the project called “Municipal Development and Rehabilitation of the OldCity of Lviv” which was carried out in the close neighbourhood. Under this program, theGerman organization Gesellscha fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit GIZ implementedmicro-grants system, whose purpose was to preserve valuable architectural details such aswindows, entrances to buildings, balconies and staircases, which are particularly vulner-able to destruction because of their everyday use. Despite formal restrictions, inhabitantsoen replace them by more functional and cheaper items. Beautiful carved woodwork isoen replaced by plastic windows and doors. Of course, restoration costs play here a very

important role, but should not be the most important. It results in a lack of awareness ofthe value of these pieces, which are oen diffi cult to detect aer years of neglect and im-provised repairs. Te lack of experts who could renovate those items in accordance withthe art conservation requirements was also a significant obstacle. Tat is why GIZ, as a part



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Fig. 17 Doors at 56 Khmelnickoho St. – before and aer renovation

of their project, has been training Ukrainian crasmen from Lviv and the surrounding ar-eas for several years. Tey needed well prepared workers who would be able to deal with

mentioned tasks. Manager of GIZ Lviv project – Mrs. Iris Gleichman – offered her assis-tance in the implementation of this action, so it was done in a similar way as the solutionintroduced in the central part of the downtown. Application of the existing methodologyand the access to skilled crasmen working with GIZ resulted in a significant reduction ofthe cost and limited the risk of renovation work not meeting the criteria of relevant quality.

In the case of the gates renovation, a financial contribution from the residents playeda key role. Although it was not necessary for the task finalization due to the earlier savings,inhabitants’ participation in the costs, even in a small part, ensured the sustainability of re-sults. In this way, residents have a notion that a common gate is their property and they are

responsible for it. As far as the gates at Pidzamche are concerned, the residents’ contribu-tion was set at 15% of the investment costs due to the fact that many of the residents havea very modest income. Te necessity of self-organization, acquiring a consent of the other



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Fig. 18 Doors before and aer renovation at 9 Pidzamche St.

residents, conducting a fundraising, the signing of a collective agreement to co-financethe task – even such mundane activities allow to overcome the apathy, give impetus to theintegration of neighbors and show that by working together one can change his immedi-ate environment. Te positive effects of this approach could be observed in the course ofthe project. For example, during the renovation of one of the gates, a contractor damageda door wing. Residents responded immediately by notifying the operator of revitalization.On a different occasion, residents gathered additional sum of money to install an intercom.

We were able to convince the residents and collect the necessary sum o money orour own contribution. We have to pour a concrete or a threshold and that wouldbe it. All the works have been done just perectly – neighbors rom other buildingshave already got envious. (9 Pidzamche St. resident, Ihor Yarema).

Unfortunately, such initiatives are not common even in the case of flats owned byresidents, not to mention the communal apartments, which dominate at Pidzamche.

Ukraine lacks an effi cient solution that would oblige the co-owners to manage the com-mon part of the building. However, there is a possibility of establishing a residential



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Fig. 19 Works at the backyard at 12-14 Ostryanitsi and 4 Skydana St. in progress

community (i.e. OSBB), but for various reasons it is not an easy task. Greater integrationof people and cooperation is undoubtedly the first step on this path. From this perspec-

tive, the project of gates revitalizing had additional educational and integrational value.Tose objectives were in the centre of attention as far as the subsequent projects

related to the revitalization of the courtyards are concerned. In those cases, a measureof the success of the project was not only the realisation of the intended work, but theinvolvement of the inhabitants of the buildings surrounding a courtyard. Initial inclu-sion of residents into the planning process built among them a sense of responsibility fora common space, although it formally remains a municipal property.

Revitalization of the inner courtyard at 12–14 Ostrianytsi St. and 4 Skydana St.

Te courtyard at 12-14 Ostryanytsyi and 4 Skydana Streets become an open “livingroom” for three houses. As well as the previous projects in the framework of “revitaliza-tion of Pidzamche”, it changed several times. At the beginning, residents needed the timeto “get use to” to the design decisions, discuss it with their neighbors, imagine how theywould use the space every day, and then, during the meeting, they shared their viewswith the project team. oday’s court is a pleasant space with good grass, few manicuredflower beds and, most importantly, a sense of community presence. It is in accordancewith Natalia Mysak’s, the author of the dra recovery yard project, statement that “one ofthe objectives was to keep the special atmosphere of this already lived-space”.



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Fig. 20 Residents form 12–14 Ostryanitsi St. and 4 Skydana St. visiting newly opened backyard

During discussions with the residents, the main functions of the backyard had beenidentified. Tey could be divided into: quiet rest, gardening, sports and business needs.

In order to provide them, the project team did their best to set as much free space on thelawn as possible. It can be “settled” over time according to needs: to practice hobbies, ar-range chairs and table in the summer, etc. Seven benches were installed in the backyard.Some of them were located under the pergola with vines growing on it. For gardeningpurposes, there are several ridges and a lot of posts with flower boxes. Te posts can beused also for drying clothes. What is more, designers considered sports area – parallelbars, horizontal bar and gymnastic ladder. Residents agreed that the place should be suit-able for all age groups and supported the idea that the design must include equiplemnt fordrying clothes. Additionaly, as far as the residents are concerned, there was no need for

any new special equipment for children because two children’s playgrounds are plannedto be revamped under the project in the close proximity of the site this autumn.

“Tis project is an attempt to provide the appropriate form to the functions that have

already existed in the yard and to fulfill their needs. We tried to create a comfortable back-

drop to the daily practices, and which, we hope, will promote strengthening the community.

However, restoration of the court is just one of the intermediate stages. Te main part of the

project will start “aer” it, when the yard will be used and modified by residents. Whether

the courtyard will be “living” depends on this very notion” – added Nataliya Mysak .



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Fig. 21 Project of a tree house for children, by A. Shulyar, N. Mysak, M. Dukh

Te new equipment that has been installed: pergola, 7 benches, beams, Swedishwall, horizontal bar, 3 boxes for flowers, 2 flower rack for 32 pots, fence, rack for drying

clothes, 4 garden lights.Works done: new river-pebble coverage, paths, plants and leveling.

Revitalization of the inner courtyard at 105-105a Kmelnytskoho St.

Te yard on the Bohdan Khmelnytsky Street belongs to two buildings. Te first has five

floors while the other one has only one floor. Terefore, establishing identity of space be-

tween the two buildings is the main idea of the project: apartment building is seen as a form

of urban housing, while one-story house is, by its nature, a rural estate. Tus, comparison,

but also contrast, between these two different identities in the confined space was the leit-

motif for the initial design ideas. Design language is different for these two environments.For example, urban is orderly and tightly scheduled, while rural is freer, more spacious and

more private. Te emphasis on the differences and, at the same time, demonstration of the

need for a dialogue between these two environments was created to encourage courtyard us-

ers to understand and recognise everyone’s importance. Although the welfare elements were

located on the opposite sides of the border, they are available for all residents, regardless of

the building, social status, or age. “A swing, as well as tennis or chess table, is suitable for both

children and adults. Children’s tree house provides children with fun and games and offers



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Fig. 22 Backyard at 105 Khmelnickoho St. – residents at work

an opportunity to come up with a different new idea for entartainment every single day”-

said architect Andrij Shulyar, co-author of the” Revitalization of Pidazmche” project.

Te next three projects are related to the revitalization of the three public spaceswhich will serve the broadest range of users – mainly residents of the district, but also

visitors of Pidzamche. Tree squares have been selected among the proposals made bythe locals. We took into account not only community involvement but also functionalityand availability for the whole population.

Te new equipment that has been installed: an arbor, a chess table, 5 benches, parallel bars,a horizontal bar, a fence,a drying rack, a lamp, tennis table, a tree house with a slide,a garden swing.

A playground at the corner of Zhovkivska and Ostryanytsi St.

Te square at the corner of Zhovkivska and Ostryanytsi St., enclosed on the north-east and south-west side by high tenement walls, respectively at 14 Ostryanitsi St. and26 Zolkiewski St., enjoyed the greatest interest from residents. In the square, there wereremains of a previously existing playground – two ladders, slides and a sandbox sur-rounded by a couple of high trees. Te area of the square (632 m2) has not been paved.

Restoration of the original function of the place is of a great importance due to thefact that two schools and two kindergartens operate in the area. Since the youngest resi-



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Fig. 23 Te playground at Zhovkivska St. and Ostryanytsi St. has been built from scratch

Fig. 24 Children from Pidzamche preparing graffi ti projects for their playground



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Fig. 25 Opening of the playground at Zhovkivska St. and Ostryanytsi St.

dents of Pidzamche supposed to be the main users, they were also actively involved in thedesigning of this space. During the workshops, which took place during the Neighbours’

Festival, children from Pidzamche prepared sketches and drawings, which were later usedby professional artists while painting graffi ti on the walls surrounding the square.

Project of the playground situated at the crossroads of Zhovkivska and OstrianytsiStreets underwent a lot of changes during construction works. We also selected this placebecause it was the only playground in the area that had been adapted for the smallestchildren’s fun activities. From the very beginning Pidzamche inhabitants actively tookpart in discussions concernin this place. One of the objectives of the project was to com-bine desires of the inhabitants with a number of standard equipment which supposed tobeinstalled in this area in order to create an “unusual” playground for the youngest. We

tried to achieve all this by mixing surfaces that are different in touch and colour – lawn,wooden scabs, small river stones, paving stones or terracotta… Non-standard elementssuch as colorful path that consists of several wooden playground climbers were also add-ed. We are planning to apply an alphabet on its surface. Tis will supplement the play-ground climbers and round playground which may be painted with crayons for example.In addition, functional elements like a cover of the sandbox that can be transformed into



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Fig. 26 Architects discussing their project proposals for the corner square at Khmelnickoho andStrimki St. with residents.

a bench aer opening has been added. Also a few trees and low bushes will be plantedalong the playground boundary.

Pidzamche inhabitants actively participated in the process of revitalization of thisarea. Tus, on the Neighbours’ Festival, which was organized by the initiative group“Jota” at the beginning of the September, the youngest inhabitants draw paintings thatwill serve as a basis for graffi ti on the buildings sidewalls near the location. Currently,professional artists are working on complete sketch of this graffi ti.

Both youth and senior residents have taken part in the formation of space revitali-zation project. We hope that this will result in creation of comfortable space for childrenwhich they will be happy to explore and which will improve their development.

Te works on the playground began in mid-August. One of the challenges for the

architect of the project was to combine a set of standard equipment provided for theinstallation in this location and residents’ wish to create a “distinctive” playground forthe youngest. It was achieved through a combination of surfaces that are different intouch and color – lawn, wooden framework, small river stone, pavers and more. A color“trail” has also been added. It consists of several playground climbers and a climb-dome.



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Te painting on the front wall of the building was created by artists from art formationnamed Kickit Art.

Residents of nearby houses were involved in the work on the playground. Teyremoved old equipment, collected rubbish, painted fences etc. Te restoration projectcombined efforts of the local community, the City Institute, Department of Family,Youth and Sports of the LCC and Polish colleagues from the Institute of Urban Develop-ment in Krakow. In general, the works at the playground lasted three months and cost170.000 UAH (~7.000 EURO).

Public square at the corner of Ostrianytsi and Strimka Streets

We have been consulting the residence since spring. Inhabitants of Bogdan Khmel-

nitsky, Strimka and Karaims’ka streets were especially active. Teir proposals contrib-uted mainly to the functional aspect of the square.

As one of the architects – Matviy Duh – said: “Square is a place of rest and recreationamong noisy streets which is loaded with traffi c throughout the day. o overcome me-diocrity and unpleasantness of this place, we came up with the motto of the concept ofthe restoration: “Everything new – is colourful”. Color, brightness, functionality, appeal– the qualities will revive the square. Entrance paths from both streets will be paintedin red – in order to draw pedestrains’ attention. Instead of stairs, we will arrange a rampto facilitate access. Te project includes various colored and functional accents: a long

yellow bench, which rises from the ground level and changes its configuration in a wavymanner for the entire length. It is bordered with the podium (green color) – an elementwhich can be used for games as well as performance, workshops and people communi-cation. Te public garden is surrounded by saplings of unique Ginkgo biloba trees andanother space to relax equipped with benches”

Murals

Te Commission identified three finalists of the graffi ti contest: Volodymyr Fedusiv,aras Dovgalyuk and Vitaly Grech. Murals were to be placed on one of the borderingwalls of the Pidzamche district.

Teir work gained the most votes during the meeting of the tender commissionconsisting of Head of Historic Environment Lilia Onyshchenko-Shvech, director of theCity Institute Olexander Kobzarev, head of the project “Revitalization of Pidzamche” ofCity Development Institute (Cracow) Karol Janas, media artist, curator of the exhibitionprograms of the City history of East Central Europe Andrij Linik, the main Lviv’s cityartist Viktor Petsuch and representative of Shevchenko district administration aras Zo-zulia. Residents and guests of the district decided which picture appeared on Pidzamche.

As far as other cities’ experience is concerned, graffi ti on the side-wall of the build-ings becomes more and more popular, but this practice is relatively new for Lviv. Tis



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Fig. 27 Awarded mural projects, from le to right: aras Dovgaliuk (Lviv), Fedisiv Volodimir

(Lviv), Vitaliy Greh (Drohobych).

Fig. 28 Preparation of the mural on 39 Zavodska St. by artists from Kickit collective.



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Fig. 29 Murals on Zhovkivska – Ostryanytsi St.

year, the City Institute initiated application of the artwork on Pidzamche. Samples ofthe sketches were posted at the wall so the people could choose a future picture that willcomplement their everyday surroundings.

Te sketches were exhibited near the wall on 39 Zavodska Street for the whole day.Everyone had a chance to vote for one and determine which mural will be implementedon this street. Te work of . Dovgaluk got an absolute majority of votes – 314. Duringthat day 417 people attended the voting.

Identication of the cultural heritage objects on Pidzamche

welve cultural heritage objects and some other inetersting monuments character-istic for Pidzamche, like sacred buildings or stone and industrial buildings, had beenmarked with infoplates. In addition to a brief Ukrainian and English description, QR-code that will guide to project’s webpage containing detailed information for each build-ing was placed at every plate.

We have installed sample tables, which was later adopted for tourist marking in thecity. City Institute created a customized icon for each object. During October and No-

vember we have obtained approvals for plates’ installation on the objects. As it turned

out, the new owners were well aware of the history of their buildings. Tere was no de-nial; everyone gladly accepted the idea of marking the little-known but no less interest-



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Fig. 30 Example of the infoplate designed for the Monastery of St. Onufriy

Fig. 31 Instalation of the infoplates



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ing objects in Pidzamche. Currently, it is the basis of alternative travel routes for excur-sions and city tours.

Te descriptions were taken from a guidebook called “Pidzamche: History of An-other City,” which was published under the project in 2013. Andriy Bondarenko, togeth-er with the Center for Urban History of East Central Europe, was the author and mainresearcher of that guidebook.

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Andriy Bondarenko

S M P:

P S L O L A

oday, Lviv citizens are getting more and more curious about Pidzamche, and, of course,most of their attention is drawn to the history of this area. However, it is clear that eve-

ryone has different view on the history, regardless of the actual degree of awareness ofscholarly works concerning the history. Personal (professional or laic) understandingsof the past become a material for crystallization of broader collective representations11.Terefore, in any symbolic landscape12, there are inscribed not only ideological mean-ings and the most common “senses of place”, but the required “signs of the past” thatwiden a general collective knowledge about history of this area (Sauer 2008, uan 2001)?.

Material objects and areas of the landscape, with an additional pseudo-symbolichistorical value, are called “sites of memory”13 (Nora 1999). In other words, these are“special” places of landscape strongly associated with the themes of “collective remem-brance”. Tese are the places that “tell” us something about the past of a local or widerarea. Tey “speak” primarily because we are already in the context of collective represen-tations of history, and certain places simply “turn on” our relevant associations. Tus, tosee a site of memory, one needs to obtain some knowledge about it and its inclusion ina historical as well as imaginary context in advance.

11 For more about the concept of individual and collective memories, see the works of Maurice Halbwachs.12 See Carl Sauer, Te morphology of landscape // Te cultural geography reader (ed. by .S. Oakes, P.L.

Price), New York, Routledge, 2008, s. 96-104; Yi-Fu uan, Space and Place: Te perspective of experience,

University of Minnesota Press, 2001.13 Pierre Nora, Les Lieux de mémoire, Volume 1: Te State, University of Chicago Press, 1999.


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It should be noted that Pidzamche is a vernacular spatial phenomenon. Its terri-tory seems to be an unoffi cial, “grass-roots”, traditional mode of space perception by the

citizens. Boundaries of Pidzamche are conditional and not fixed in any detailed maps orplans. Almost every Lviver defines it differently.

Currently, cohesion of Pidzamche area is performed on an imaginary level, and theplaces of memory play an important role here.

History, memory, the past: construction, and not a reection

Remembering the past is a specific process that rather constructs than simply re-flects the past and our “images of the past”, which are written in the material and sym-

bolic landscape, set very selective and specific links with the conditional “objective” past.Te collective memory of the past in relation to the current space of Pidzamche

builds a special version of its past and sets specific parameters for perception of the area.Tis point is worth closer examination in order to see the difference between history andhistorical memory, and between the events of the past and the memory of them.

Pierre Nora, the author of the “sites of memory” concept, was inclined to regard the“people”, spontaneous collective remembering as a cognitive alternative to the offi cialhistory, which, in his opinion, depended too much on political, ideological or personalissues. We can understand such enthusiasm of Nora by recalling the early years aer the

collapse of the Soviet Union, when the Ukrainian historical science was flooded with theoral testimonies from the witnesses of the past who were forced to remain silent before.

However, if the memory can still structurally complement the history, it does notmean that memory itself lacks fundamental misstatements. oday, scientists’ attentionto the mechanisms of memory and their reliability is generated by the proliferation ofthe methods of oral history, i.e. history, which is based on living testimonies. Te repre-sentatives of the oral history 14 have analyzed the fundamental limitations of their meth-ods. First of all, they refer to “the human factor”. It’s not only about such sins of humanmemory as blurriness or forgetfulness, but also about the less obvious things – doubtfultransmission o

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