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Ukraine

Mykolaiv Water Palace and School for Young Sailors 

Urban uplift through maritime culture and community engagement

client
UNDP
location
Mykolaiv, Ukraine
status
Ongoing
size
3,000 sqm
services
  • Architectural Design
  • Structural Design

The Mykolaiv Water Palace and School for Young Sailors is a flagship project within the city’s broader ‘Aquaport’ Masterplan, aimed at revitalising the riverfront and repositioning Mykolaiv as a dynamic maritime hub. Designed as a 3,000 sqm multifunctional complex, the development plays a central role in driving urban regeneration and fostering socio–economic growth through education, culture, and tourism. 

A unique aspect of this project is its strong emphasis on community engagement. Extensive consultations with local NGOs and stakeholders ensured that the design reflects the community’s needs and aspirations. The result of this process highlighted the need for a complex comprising two interconnected structures: the Water Palace and the School for Young Sailors. 

The Water Palace

This multi-functional building will serve as a central point for maritime affairs and community engagement. It houses: 

  • Ticketing and information point: Providing convenient access to water transport and information about waterfront events, encouraging greater use of the river. 
  • Mykolaiv maritime assembly offices: Facilitating administrative functions and promoting collaboration within the maritime sector. 
  • Multi-purpose hall: A flexible space capable of hosting a wide range of activities, including educational programs, festive events, conferences, and public discussions, fostering community interaction and knowledge sharing. 
The School for Young Sailors

This facility willl become a dedicated hub that aims to cultivate the next generation of maritime professionals and enthusiasts. It features: 

  • 10 classrooms: Providing ample space for specialised educational programs focused on maritime themes, fostering a deeper understanding of the city’s connection to the water. 
  • Sports hall: Promoting physical fitness and providing opportunities for students to engage in various sports activities. 
  • Specialist training space: Offering specialised training facilities for maritime-related skills. 
  • Protected playground: Ensuring a safe and stimulating environment for younger students during recreational periods. 

Unity and Recovery

This new complex is expected to generate significant economic benefits for the city, stimulating tourism, creating employment opportunities, and fostering the growth of Mykolaiv’s blue economy. It serves as an exemplary model of how participatory design and strategic urban development can contribute to the sustainable transformation of a community. 

This initiative is part of the “Support to the sustainable transformation of the city of Mykolaiv for the transition to a blue economy” programme, implemented by the NGO ‘KINBURN’ with the support of the ‘Ukrainian Association of Business Support Centers’ within the EU-UNDP Joint Initiative framework, funded by the Government of Denmark through the Innovation Support Fund. 

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