Address by the President of the National Union of Architects Oleksandr Chyzhevsky.
The Ministry of Regional Development and other government agencies are showing the secrecy of many urban planning processes during the war, and this creates grounds for misunderstandings and conflicts between the government and the community of architects. This is stated in the comments of the President of the National Union of Architects Alexander Chizhevsky in an interview with the chairman of the “Servant of the People” Elena Shulyak – “People should receive compensation for destroyed housing without waiting for reparations in Russia”, which was published on ZN.UA .
The appeal emphasizes the lack of transparent information and data necessary for the formation of urban policy during the war. Namely: what is happening with industry and production in Ukraine, their transportation to the “rear” regions, with the resettlement of the population, its professional characteristics, there is no understanding of the priority of action.
NSAU declares that the National Union of Architects and the Architectural Chamber of NSAU represent the interests and represent the opinion of the entire architectural community of Ukraine.
Below is the full text of NSAU President Oleksandr Chyzhevsky's comment on the government's cooperation with architects, the composition and size of the Union of Architects, and the involvement of the professional community in rebuilding Ukrainian cities from the effects of the war.
“The National Union of Architects of Ukraine is a self-regulatory public organization that brings together architects, specialists in urban planning, spatial planning and protection of historical heritage. We are all different architects, with different backgrounds and approaches, but what unites us is the vast experience and experience we are ready to share and help the country and the government.
The members of the National Union of Architects of Ukraine are 3140 architects (as of 13.12.2021), of which 1203 are certified (ie those to whom the state has officially granted a permit-certificate to work and create objects of architecture and urban planning). The total number of architects who received qualification certificates is 2538. In addition, 1405 certified architects are members of the NSAU Architectural Chamber. We claim that the National Union of Architects and the Architectural Chamber of NSAU represent the interests and represent the opinion of the architectural community of Ukraine. For example, the Manifesto of Architects of Ukraine published on March 21, 2022 by the Architectural Chamber of NSAU was signed by 2,414 architects, many of whom are heads of leading architectural bureaus.
The Union of Architects in different ways, but today it is the largest public professional institution in the country, whose members are architects and urban planners from all regions of Ukraine.
The National Union of Architects of Ukraine, its number and authority, is recognized by almost all influential International Organizations of United Architects. On April 29 this year, including at the General Assembly of the Architectural Council of Europe, the NSAU was accepted as an associate member.
This is important primarily for Ukraine, as European and international institutions seek to provide assistance in full compliance with EU policies and procedures and international standards. As a rule, this gives more confidence to investors and countries involved in financing.
What we see now from the Ministry of Regional Development and other government agencies is the closed nature of many processes and the lack of public administration and coverage of information on urban policy in countries during the war. We do not see a comprehensive picture of what is happening, the exact number of migrants in the country and regions, the number of internal and external migration, which in turn dictates the demand for additional housing and social infrastructure (schools, kindergartens, hospitals, etc.). Nobody knows what is happening with industry and production and their transportation to the “rear” regions, there is no understanding of population resettlement, on professional grounds, no understanding of the priority – and all this is a prerequisite for urban policy and initial data for its formation. p>
In accordance with the bill (№7282) Olena Shulyak proposes to develop for cities and OTG – restoration programs (which is not urban planning documentation), at the same time Kyrylo Tymoshenko (Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine) – in an interview provides information about Oleksandr Kubrakov (Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine), a battalion of volunteer architects already working on a master plan for the post-war reconstruction of each region, commented on the launch of architects and urban planners who will work on the reconstruction of some local communities. – on the website of the Ministry of Regional Development notes about the development of a plan to restore the city of Kharkov – Norman Foster, a British architect. Also under the President of Ukraine, an advisory body was set up – the National Council for Reconstruction of Ukraine from the effects of the war, and a working group “Construction, Urban Planning, Modernization of Cities and Regions” was set up./p>
It is this policy in the public sphere that has provoked misunderstandings and conflicts between the government and the community of architects, which is currently completely inappropriate and needs to be worked on.
Ukrainian urban planners, spatial planners, architects are ready to join government and government initiatives, but we need to start with transparent rules of the game and involve the professional community and community in the development of these rules, as is the case in all civilized countries./p>
It is clear that “Which winner thinks about defeat?” – but to avoid “defeats” on the domestic front, we propose to join forces with the government, the government and the community – and to ensure that people whom the government gives hope do not become disappointed in it.
We all know and understand that Ukraine is facing a major reconstruction: housing, infrastructure, social facilities and commerce. And if the rules, including laws and regulations, will be in favor only of developers and developers, then society will not be tolerant of “schematic decisions” and earnings for those who have lost their homes and living space. p>
At present, we Ukrainians need important, fast and balanced steps towards rebuilding the country – open tenders and transparent procedures, accurate analysis and recorded data, surveys and recording , architectural competitions and public discussions, raising funds directly to communities, reporting to donors and society. And most importantly – professionalism, which is concentrated in professional institutions. These are all elements of a new country in which we all strive to live after the end of the war we are fighting for every day. “
