Danish urbanist Mikael Colville-Andersen, known worldwide as the author of the best-selling book “Copenhagenize! A Guide to Global Cycling Urbanism,” has been living in Kyiv for over two years. Volunteering, humanitarian initiatives, community gardens—including the “Garden of Recovery” for Pavlov Hospital—have all been part of his work, but now he is working on the world’s largest tactical urbanism project.
Mikael Colville-Andersen, urban planner, urban design consultant, writer. Photo: Yuriy Ferendovich
“Our task is not just to change the appearance of Kontraktova Square, but to make it a living public space,” explains Colville-Andersen, speaking to a modest audience at the DIY Ukraine office in Podil. His TORV project, which starts in April, involves transforming Kontraktova Square in the historic center of Kyiv into a comfortable urban area with benches, green areas, sports fields and recreation areas.
“Our project will be the world's largest tactical urbanism project. Before that, the biggest example was the temporary transformation of Times Square in New York in 2008. There, the changes covered an area of 10 m², and in Kyiv we are working with a space of 000 m² — that is, the scale is even larger,” the urbanist notes. “This is not just an urban transformation — it is a signal that Kyiv is alive, developing, and looking to the future. We are showing that even during war, it is possible to quickly create a space that will serve people.”
New visual look for Kontraktova Square. Image courtesy of the TORV project authors.
The project was financially supported by Novo Nordisk (Novo Nordisk is an international healthcare company headquartered in Copenhagen with an office in Ukraine), as well as the Embassy of Denmark and other partners. One of the key advantages of the temporary approach is its attractiveness to city managers, because if the project were positioned as permanent, it would take years to agree on it.
"We emphasize that these solutions are temporary, and it works. Politicians see them as quick and easy to implement. It is thanks to this that we were able to get approval for the project during a meeting with the Danish embassy and the mayor of Kyiv," the urbanist adds.
According to him, Kyiv does not necessarily need exclusively capital, monumental solutions. Temporary transformations allow for experimentation, testing space, and finding the best solutions without the risk of costly mistakes. But can tactical urbanism really program the future of Kontraktova?
Colorful graphics on the asphalt will highlight iconic locations. Image courtesy of the TORV project authors
Drawings and plans on asphalt
The team of Danish urbanists aims to make Kontraktova Square lively, bright, and full of meaning. The first step is to update the monotonous gray asphalt, which currently does not evoke any emotions. Urbanists plan to use color solutions similar to those that are already successfully working in various cities around the world. This is not only an update of the coating, but also the creation of a unique graphic identity that will encompass drawings on the ground, the design of recreation areas, and even the visual language of the surrounding buildings. The goal is not just aesthetics, but the opportunity to tell the story of this place through design.
“We will mark with special lines and graphics the places where buildings once stood, destroyed by the great fire of 1811, which almost completely destroyed Podil. This will allow citizens and guests of the capital to literally “read” the history of the streets, understanding what was here before,” explains the author of the project. Places where tram tracks used to run will also be marked, so that people can not only use the renovated space, but also study the history of the city.
Another important principle is the Scandinavian approach to design, which involves maximum involvement of residents. Numerous surveys, workshops and meetings were conducted with representatives of different age and social groups to take into account their needs. As a result, three main requests were identified:
- recreation areas with benches and shade;
- more trees and greenery;
- cozy places for communication.
Graphic solutions that emphasize the direction of pedestrian flows. Image provided by the authors of the TORV project
Interestingly, during the discussions, many Kyiv residents expressed a desire to play petanque, a French game with metal balls. There were also requests for comfortable walking paths, space for jogging, football, basketball, and other activities.
Analysis of the flow of people showed that most residents cross the square as quickly as possible, almost without stopping. A 2017 study confirmed that functionally the square works only as a transit zone. Urban planners suggest changing traffic routes to activate the space, make it attractive for residents, and create a place where people want to stay, interact, and spend time.
This concept remains flexible: it can be adjusted according to the needs of the community and the realities of the urban environment.
The current state of Kontraktova Square is a huge gray and boring space. Photo provided by the authors of the TORV project
Functional division
Since there are 11 square meters to redevelop, the space is divided into separate functional parts.
The area of the square, which is most often used by students of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, will be adapted to their needs. A survey of young people showed that they need places for communication, relaxation and active leisure. Therefore, metal structures for sitting in the shade, a mini-ramp for skateboarding, a space for playing petanque and a green area for a comfortable stay are provided here.
For family recreation, a children's space with a play area and opportunities for active entertainment will be organized. There will also be a small stage for performances and events - this initiative is supported by the Embassy of Denmark, which promotes the development of public spaces in Kyiv.
Another area is dedicated to the historical memory of the square. Here, the routes of the old tram tracks will be graphically marked to show how the urban space has changed. Information stands will also be installed that will tell about the events of the past, combining the present with historical continuity.
Creating numerous places for pauses and relaxation will increase the attractiveness of the space. Image provided by the authors of the TORV project
The project involves creating comfortable places for recreation - corners with benches where you can just sit and relax. The possibility of arranging a small football field is being considered separately. So far, there is no funding for this, but the team is working to attract support to implement this idea. Flexibility and adaptability have become key principles of the project. All elements of the space will be mobile and temporary, which will allow them to be changed depending on the needs of the townspeople. This solution also meets the requirements of the Podilskyi district administration, which insisted on the absence of massive facilities and stationary sports grounds.
Since historically Kontraktova Square has always been a place of active trade, this aspect is proposed to be preserved, adapting it to the modern needs of the townspeople. Danish urbanist Mikael Colville-Andersen notes:
“The square is the heart of the city, and the heart should beat. We want to bring life back here by creating a space for local producers and craftsmen. This will not be a classic market, but a place where you can easily present your products or products - from artisanal items to homemade delicacies - Mikael Colville-Andersen
The design approach is based on the principle of adaptability. The infrastructure should be flexible so that the citizens themselves can determine how to use the space. Benches and seating will not be typical industrial products, they will be made from available materials. How exactly? It will be improvisation.
“We don’t want to create another tightly regulated space. Our goal is for people to decide for themselves how comfortable they are here. We have already received some of the structures and will soon begin integrating them into the urban landscape,” explains Colville-Andersen.
To improve navigation and comfort of movement around the square, it is also planned to change the routes. Flow analysis showed that most pedestrians try to cross the square as quickly as possible. Therefore, it is proposed to create a kind of boulevard that will make a walk along Kontraktova more pleasant and meaningful.
Street furniture doesn’t have to be boring and standard – Mikael Colville-Andersen suggests using custom benches and platforms. Photo courtesy of the TORV project authors
During war, quality public space is even more important than in peacetime
Details are the Achilles' heel of any project. PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA journalist Oleksandr Dmytruk decided to find out the most important ones in a short exclusive interview with Mikael Colville-Andersen. And first of all, the details about what will remain after the test period. Colville-Andersen assures that even after the dismantling of temporary elements, valuable experience will remain, but... more specifically?
Oleksandr Dmytruk: What positive consequences could this project have for Kontraktova Square? Let's imagine that it has already been dismantled: what happens next?
Michael Colville-Andersen: When the project is completed, we will gather a team of volunteers and conduct a cleanup. We will dismantle the structures, transfer some of them, for example, to Chernihiv, where they can still be useful. But the main thing is not just physical cleaning, but that the people who used the space will feel its value. They will begin to understand that it is possible to have a comfortable environment for reading, communication, and relaxation. This changes the very approach to urban space.
We are currently coordinating with Zelenbud, they like the idea, although bureaucracy, of course, slows down the process. We plan to involve volunteers from the local community who will look after the territory, maintain its cleanliness and order. This will help create a sense of responsibility for the space.
Mikael Colville-Andersen answers a question from Oleksandr Dmytruk. Photo: Yuriy Ferendovich
And here's what's going to happen next: when this project is finished, people will start demanding better changes. They'll say to the city, "We've already seen what a great space this could be. Let's make it even better." This will be a conversation between the city and the government, not just between activists and architects.
The architects who won the competition to reconstruct the square are not snobs, as is sometimes the case. They are open to ideas. We have already talked to them, and our project will help them understand how people actually use this space.
O. D.: What do you think about Gostiny Dvor? It is a very important place for Kyiv residents, but nothing has been happening there for almost ten years. How do you think Kyiv should resolve this situation?
M. K.-A.: Of course, renovation is needed, and historically responsible renovation. I am glad that a shopping center never appeared on the site of Gostiny Dvor - that would have been a big mistake. I see this place as a cultural space. Workshops can be created there - for example, metal and woodworking, where young people could learn the craft from experienced masters. This is a kind of innovation hub. In many European cities, small industries are returning to urban space - there are similar projects, for example, in Berlin. These are interesting locations where you can work with wood, metal, ceramics, create unique things that can then be sold. In addition to workshops, Gostiny Dvor could become a cultural center where concerts and other events are held. A huge space with good acoustics is perfect for this. There could also be cafes and restaurants here. The main thing is to create a place that will become a center of creativity and attract different people, including those who work in the creative industries.
An example of a simple and inexpensive graphic solution to revitalize a street space. Image courtesy of the TORV project authors
O. D.: When you talked about the TORV project on social media, you received a lot of negative comments. People wrote that today is not the time for such projects, and such an important historical place as Kontraktova Street needs a more thoughtful and contextual approach. There were also opinions that the square needs large-scale renovation, not tactical urbanism. What do you think about such criticism?
M. K.-A.: People who write like this simply don’t understand the essence of the project. First, tactical urbanism is not an alternative to major renovation, but a way to make space better here and now, while there is no possibility to implement large-scale changes. Second, during war, high-quality public space is even more important than in peacetime. People need places where they can meet, relax, and feel safe. Our project is not just a landscaping project. It is a way to let the townspeople feel what their space can be like and encourage them to demand changes from the city authorities. Therefore, I do not see any contradiction between the war and this project. On the contrary, it is even more relevant now.
I hope that after ten years of waiting, we will finally see the implementation of this large-scale project. And we are happy to help drive these changes forward. We are simply showing that the city can be better.
