Mykolaiv Concept Masterplan officially submitted

As efforts continue to support the swift recovery and long-term reconstruction of Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict, the Oneworks Foundation is pleased to officially submit the Mykolaiv Concept Masterplan to the City Council for final approval.

Led by Oneworks and part of the UN4UkrainianCities initiative led by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Concept Masterplan was presented to Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych during a ceremony in Berlin at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2024). Co-hosted by Germany and Ukraine, the event aimed to mobilise continued international support for recovery, reconstruction, reform, and modernization of Ukraine.

This submission marks a pivotal moment in the collaborative journey between Oneworks, the Oneworks Foundation, the Mykolaiv City Council, local professionals, and the community. Over the past year, Oneworks and the Oneworks Foundation have led an international task force of industry experts, including Politecnico Di Milano, LUIC University, COWI, LAND, Systematica, Visionary Analytics and GISdevio, to comprehensively address Mykolaiv’s current challenges. Together, we developed strategic guidelines for the city’s successful and sustainable reconstruction.

The development of a strategic Concept Masterplan is a key component of the UNECE UN4UkrainianCities initiative, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The initiative was established at the request of the Ministry for Communities, Territories Development and Infrastructure of Ukraine, to provide support to both national and local governments in Ukraine, to assist with the development of concept master plans to support cities, such as Mykolaiv, to “build back better” implemented by the UNECE.

Masterplan Goals and Components
Building on a robust community engagement plan, including online consultations, surveys, and capacity-building workshops, local residents and businesses shared and discussed their views on the future of Mykolaiv. From these activities, the team defined five operational goals relating to: Industry and Innovation; Cultural and Environmental Heritage; Sustainable Mobility; Social Aspects and Community; and Governance. This led to four key themes that have ultimately guided the concept masterplan and supporting strategies:

1. Giving the riverfront back to the community.
2. Boosting the “City on the Wave” tourism offer.
3. Developing districts dedicated to both industry and technology.
4. Promoting sustainable mixed-use districts.

The goal of the Concept Masterplan is to create strategic guidelines for successful revitalisation, ensuring the city’s future development is sustainable, resilient, and beneficial to all residents. Additionally, the plan aims to stimulate economic growth by attracting investment, creating jobs, and enhancing the overall quality of life in the city. As part of this strategy, several pilot projects have been identified, aligned to five keys components of the city that are now to be developed:

• Innovation and Enterprise: A new mixed-use neighbourhood focused on science and innovation – The Mykolaiv Innovation District.
• Industry and Trade: Regeneration of a former waterfront industrial site into a mixed-use development and a new multi-functional industrial park to support manufacturing and logistics.
• Housing and Community: Social housing redevelopment, including refurbishing existing buildings and adding new housing elements.
• Culture and Heritage: Restoration of a heritage and cultural area, or building, that is particularly significant to the city and its people.
• Green and Public Spaces: Redevelopment and enhancement of a key city centre or riverside public space to boost social engagement.

In the coming weeks, more details about each of these upcoming Pilot Projects will be shared, providing insights into their objectives and expected outcomes. Each will play a crucial role in not only testing the viability of specific strategies but also in informing the holistic implementation of the wider Concept Masterplan.

A Greener City
Aligned with the Urban Design Strategy, the city’s future landscapes are a key focus, aiming to blend modernity with its industrial past, emphasize water connections, and remain adaptable to citizen needs. Principles, developed by landscape consultants LAND, for redesigning landscapes celebrate historical and ecological values, particularly focusing on the city’s rivers. The plan creates diverse riverbank areas to enrich the city’s landscape.

A new green urban grid will connect different areas, promoting harmony between urban and rural spaces. Enhancing public areas will strengthen the city’s identity and ecological value while meeting future demands.

Meanwhile a concept transport plan, led by Systematica, aims for sustainability. It involves building new roads and bridges to ease heavy traffic and encourage public transport use. Railway improvements include new connections and repurposing old tracks for public spaces. Public transport focuses on flexible and sustainable options, with a water transport system and mobility hubs supporting connectivity across the city.

Read more about the Mykolaiv Concept Masterplan