On Friday, 28 June 2024, the UREHERIT and ARCH-E projects hosted a successful online event titled “The Role of Architectural Design Competitions (ADC) for Sustainable Heritage Preservation and Recovery: A First Exchange.” The event gathered ADC experts, architects, and stakeholders from Ukraine and the EU, creating an engaging space for discussion on how ADCs can be a powerful tool in restoring and preserving cultural heritage sustainably and ethically.
Key Highlights:
- The Potential of ADCs in Heritage Preservation: Experts explored the ability of ADCs to generate diverse, innovative, and context-sensitive architectural solutions for cultural heritage sites. It was emphasized that ADCs allow for broad participation, ensuring that the local community’s needs and values are at the forefront of heritage recovery processes.
- International Expertise and Knowledge Sharing: The event featured key insights from leading figures in the architectural field, including representatives from the Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE), UREHERIT, and ARCH-E. These contributions helped to deepen understanding of how ADCs can be applied in Ukraine and across Europe for sustainable heritage preservation.
- Focus on Participatory Design: One of the key discussions centered on the role of participatory design in ADCs, highlighting how broad engagement with stakeholders and citizens can result in more inclusive, socially responsible design outcomes.
- Strengthening Transnational Cooperation: Through the event, UREHERIT and ARCH-E successfully connected Ukrainian and European architects, planners, and heritage professionals. This international collaboration fosters ongoing cooperation and knowledge exchange, especially in the context of post-conflict recovery efforts and the restoration of Ukraine’s cultural heritage.
- Future Directions: The event set the stage for future workshops and collaboration opportunities under the UREHERIT and ARCH-E frameworks. These initiatives are aimed at further supporting architectural design competitions as a tool for addressing heritage challenges in Ukraine and Europe.
About the Projects and Organizations:
ARCH-E: A Creative Europe-funded project, ARCH-E promotes high-quality architectural solutions and the increased use of ADCs in Europe, working to overcome barriers in the cross-border market for architectural services. It connects architects from across Europe and Ukraine to enhance cooperation and share best practices.
UREHERIT: This Creative Europe-funded initiative explores how ADCs can support cultural heritage restoration, focusing on international cooperation and empowering communities to create sustainable solutions.
Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE): ACE represents the architectural profession at the European level, advocating for the interests of over 500,000 architects. Through projects like UREHERIT, ACE fosters cross-border collaboration, ensuring that architecture plays a vital role in sustainable development.
The event provided valuable takeaways for all participants, strengthening the network of professionals committed to sustainable heritage preservation through innovative architectural design. Full ADC Recommendation set can be found here.
Workshop Schedule
- First Online Workshop – 28 June 2024
Time: 13:00 – 15:15 (Ukrainian/English live translation provided)
Location: Online
This inaugural session will bring together experts from ACE’s Working Group on Public Procurement and ADC, ARCH-E participants, and Ukrainian professionals. The agenda includes:- Hanna Bondar, Architect and Ukrainian MP, presenting challenges and goals for ADC application in sustainable heritage preservation.
- Maryan Kardash, Secretary of the ADC Commission of the National Union of Architects of Ukraine, sharing Ukrainian ADC experiences.
- Grazia Tona, TU Eindhoven, providing insights into ADC systems across Europe.
- Contributions from ACE Working Group leads on public procurement and ADC guidelines.
- Second Hybrid Workshop – 13/14 November 2024
Location: Vienna, during the UREHERIT CPD Course excursion.
Participants will test the transferability of ADC digital SWOT tools for Ukrainian projects, integrating real-world applications into the broader European context. - Third Online Workshop – Early 2025
Focused on the UIA Competition Guide, this session will explore the alignment of international best practices with the development of digital ADC tools.
Location: Luxembourg, marking the 35th anniversary of the Luxembourg Chamber of Architects and Engineers.
This workshop will present project results, providing a platform for high-level discussions and further collaboration among architects and stakeholders.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author (s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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Contacts: info@ureherit.eu; media@ureherit.eu
