Expert opinion. Mykola Chepelev: All we have left is copypaste and cargo cult

Mykola Chepelev's comment on the material "On the cutting edge of the trend. How cities and people turn global problems for good".

PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA: Western urbanists note the following trend: the pandemic has accelerated the development of so-called "18-hour cities", regional centers. How did two years of the pandemic affect Odesa?

Mykola Chepelev: But it didn't affect me at all, to be honest. Probably, except that there are more food delivery people on the streets. A pedestrian center appeared, but this happened not as a result of the response to the pandemic, but thanks to a few proactive and adequate deputies and officials.

Mykola Chepelev, architect, founder of the Association of Architects of Odessa

There are, of course, new construction projects, and marketers are calling with all their might to Odesa. But, unfortunately, there were no qualitative changes. So Odesa is hardly one of those regional centers that Western urbanists talk about.

PM: What kind of urban reform, which could significantly increase the comfort of life in Odessa, is needed immediately? And what are the conditions for its implementation?

M. Ch.: We urgently need a clear urban policy of spatial development. It is necessary to develop a strategy, a concept of integrated development. The conditions for the implementation of any urban reforms in the current legislative field are political will. A normal mayor should be elected.

PM: What is happening with architecture and urban design: are there traces of some fresh individual style in the new projects, something that could later be called the "Odessa school"? Is everything that's going on copypaste, cargo cult, and the like?

M. Ch.: I was amused by your question. "New Odesa school" can only appear under the conditions of healthy competition and professional discussion. There are no architectural competitions in Odesa as a class, the city planning council does not work, normal architectural criticism is not visible.

Trust in all participants in the process and popularization of healthy urban planning are necessary. This is already a task for local politicians

The union of architects in Odessa is quieter than water. Unless our Association of Architects of Odessa is making noise, but this is clearly not enough. Everyone is wondering which of the developers is sponsoring us. That's why: all we're left with is copy-paste, cargo-cult, etc.

PM: And are Odessans, in principle, ready for architectural and urban experiments and innovations?

M. Ch.: I have already partially answered this question. In order for Odessans to accept experiments and innovations, they need to be introduced to it, first of all. And secondly, to show that such projects should not be feared. Trust in all participants in the process and popularization of healthy urban planning are necessary. This is already a task for local politicians.

PM: What do you think is the reason that borrowing many successful Western practices in our conditions is either ineffective or leads to failures? How to borrow the best of Western practices without slipping into a cargo cult?

M. Ch.: The emergence and implementation of successful practices in the West took place in a Western way. Each Western country implemented the same practice with its own nuances and adapted it for itself. The process of adaptation in our country is too difficult a task for officials and designers. A possible recipe: the goal should not be the practice itself, but the way of its implementation. Then successful practice will naturally fit into our realities.

Main photo: Unsplash.com/@viktortalashuk