Oneworks presents Mykolaiv Concept Masterplan updates at United Nations 

Last week, Oneworks had the privilege of joining the 85th session of the UNECE Committee on Urban Development, Housing, and Land Management, held at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva. The session focused on urban recovery and sustainable development projects in Ukraine, specifically highlighting the ongoing efforts in the cities of Mykolaiv and Kharkiv under the UN4UkrainianCities initiative. 

Our Senior Urban Designer and Associate Director, Francesca Pintus, presented the team’s recent progress on the Concept Masterplan and pilot projects for the city of Mykolaiv. Developed in collaboration with Mykolaiv City Council and UNECE, the project is part of a broader effort led by Oneworks and the Oneworks Foundation. The initiative brought together an international task force of experts, including Politecnico di Milano, LIUC University, COWI, LAND, Systematica, Visionary Analytics, Fondazione Housing Sociale and GISdevio, to comprehensively address the city’s challenges with an overarching framework and five pilot projects already in development. During the event, the proposed strategies were presented alongside those developed for the city of Kharkiv by the Norman Foster Foundation, in collaboration with UNECE and Kharkiv City Council. 

In the face of challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, this UN4UkrainianCities initiative aims to support the sustainable reconstruction and transformation of Ukraine’s urban centers. Mykolaiv, once the industrial heart of Ukraine, is a key focus of these efforts. The city has the potential to emerge from this crisis stronger, more resilient and more vibrant than ever before.

Collaborative efforts for a brighter future

Acknowledging the collaborative efforts for Mykolaiv’s future, Tetiana Shulichenko, Head of the Economic Development Department of Mykolaiv City Council, noted:

“Collaborating with Oneworks and UNECE is fundamental for our city. We have a unique opportunity to regenerate Mykolaiv through best practices in urban and economic planning, which will lead to building back better together.”

The session also included representatives from the Norman Foster Foundation, UNECE, the Ministry for Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, and the city councils of Kharkiv and Mykolaiv, who shared the latest updates on: 

• Housing policy reform to meet the immediate and long-term needs of residents. 

• Urban cadastre development for improved land management. 

• Economic and demographic assessments to guide city planning and recovery. 

• The launch of a new city project tracker, which will monitor progress on key urban initiatives. 

Facing challenges yet looking ahead

Reflecting on the project, Pintus highlighted the difficulties faced during the planning process. 

“For an urbanist, it is quite challenging to reimagine a city without seeing it. For so long, we were not able to visit Mykolaiv, and the support of the Municipality, the UNECE interpreters, and the engagement of the local community have been fundamental to understanding the challenges and opportunities of the city.” she said.
 

Despite the logistical challenges, the collaborative spirit and innovative approaches displayed by all partners are set to reimagine Mykolaiv as a resilient and inclusive city, fostering sustainable development and economic growth. Oneworks remains committed and looks forward to working with partners to achieve this vision. The progress shared at the 85th session reflects the growing momentum to rebuild and reshape Ukrainian cities, ensuring they are equipped for the future.