Why does sustainability become an integral characteristic of successful landscape projects of public spaces and what is the attractiveness of such an approach for Ukrainian developers and urban customers? We talked about this topic with Maksym Kotsiuba, landscape architect, founder of the KOTSIUBA landscape architecture studio.
Maksym Kotsiuba, landscape architect, founder of the KOTSIUBA landscape architecture studio
PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA: Maxime, when we announced this competition, we drew attention to the peculiarities of its preparation. Department of Architecture and Urban Planning of the Odesa City Executive Committee in collaboration with public organizations "Odesa Architects Association" and Urban Inst. thorough preparatory work was carried out: territories were investigated, public discussions were initiated. After completion competition your project will also undergo a public hearing. Is such dense communication with the public necessary? Why is it called a guarantee of stability?
Maxim Kotsyuba: The most important thing in Ukraine is communication and the involvement of all interested parties in the process of integrated territorial development. Sustainability starts here. If the developer develops only his part, and the city develops his part, conflicts are inevitable. Even if the city develops a park on its own without involving residents or developers, it will not be accepted by the community. There will be no social control, people will feel no connection to this area because no one has asked them what they want, what they need. And if someone later breaks trees in this park, no one will feel responsible.
It is necessary to create a connection between the future users of this territory and the city so that they feel their belonging. This is possible only when a person is involved in the process, when they are heard, when they respond to what is needed. Yes, from the point of view of officials, it is easier to do something on your own with complex landscaping or landscaping, but when we talk about sustainability, communication is an integral component.
It is necessary to create a connection between the future users of this territory and the city so that they feel their belonging
There are many other interested parties, for example, business in its various manifestations, which is present around this site. And everyone needs to be heard. The process can be long - maybe even a year, but if we still conduct this moderation, formulate the tasks, understand what resources are needed, what problems, risks, potentials exist and determine the steps - this is at least half the success. Everything that is created will be accepted. This is from the point of view of connections, the social aspect.
PM: Regarding economics: is there a direct relationship between what we call sustainability and the commercial component of landscape projects?
M.K.: From the point of view of ecology and economy, it is necessary to count not only at the time of creation of the object. Here we have created - and it costs a certain amount... And exploitation? Who will do the operation? How much will it cost per year? And if we take 5 years? It is necessary to estimate the value of the object, taking into account the costs for at least 5 years of operation, and to decide who will be engaged in maintenance. One organization deals with green spaces, the second with roads, and the third with lighting. All this must be calculated at the very beginning and probably even sacrifice some design solutions, something is easier to do. Do not sacrifice functions, closing all needs, and perhaps choose simpler plants, trees, materials, but more permanent. That is, sustainability is also an understanding of the entire life cycle of the project. And the life of the project begins long before its implementation - from the moment when the territory becomes interesting, then there is a discussion, then - implementation and, perhaps, another 30 years of existence. The entire cycle must be taken into account in the design.
Sustainability is about minimizing maintenance. We minimize costs and thereby minimize risks. This is trivially profitable. If we plan the territory to be resistant to weather conditions, as independent as possible from the human factor in terms of care, then it will hardly be necessary to spend money on it. For example, a lawn... They believe that this is the simplest and cheapest thing. In fact, this is the most expensive solution, because the lawn needs to be taken care of all the time. If you don't mow, don't water, don't feed, it will die immediately. It is necessary to constantly throw money into it. Why should we pour rainwater down the drain and then spend money on electricity and pumping water from a well to water the plants? This is a foolish waste of resources. Why can't we use rainwater through landscape techniques to collect this water? Especially if we are talking about a residential complex, which has a lot of surfaces where water can be collected.
The renovation project of Zhanna Lyaburb's square "Step to the sea" in Odesa — KOTSIUBA landscape architecture studio, Space Odyssey Architects, "Casha Gorenyuk Studio". Image source: kotsiuba.com
PM: That is, when discussing the sustainability of the landscape with the customer, you appeal to economics rather than to neoliberal values?
M.K.: We speak the language of numbers with customers and developers. Because all sustainable goals, all decisions, all models of smart consumption of resources clearly affect costs. All green norms, conditions for further certification according to standards are beneficial. Of course, simple construction is cheaper at the time of its completion. But if we count the operation for at least 5 years, sustainable construction is already more profitable. It's the same with territories.
