Ukraine, the Netherlands to work on air defense project – Zelenskyy

Ukrainian officials are collaborating on a groundbreaking city project as part of the country's recovery efforts, with plans to showcase it at prestigious international events. Vladyslav Rashkovan, the Ukraine's Alternative Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), revealed that Oksana Markarova, Presidential Advisor on Reconstruction and Investment Attraction, and Viktoria Trotska, Executive Director of the New City initiative, are spearheading the project.

The initiative aims to develop various districts inspired by cities like Slavutych, with architects from Germany, Italy, France, Japan, and Japan working on the design. The project currently operates without any financial compensation for its architects, but international funding is crucial to professionalize the initiative. Rashkovan emphasized that the project is seeking a physical space to anchor itself, with potential funding from international organizations, as Europe lacks modern experience in constructing new cities.

The blueprint for building new cities, which includes principles applicable to Kharkiv, Odesa, Kyiv, and Trostianets, could benefit not just Ukraine but also countries like Syria, Lebanon, and other war-affected nations. Rashkovan highlighted that 95% of state-level reconstruction efforts are already present at the local level, making the city-level approach feasible.

The project envisions self-sufficient cities that create jobs, draw talent, and foster a favorable investment climate, supported by private capital and investments. The initiative also involves collaboration with experts in restorative cities, safe city concepts, and green energy systems, drawing on the expertise of Jenny Roe, former Director of the Center for Design & Health in the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia, and Finnish and Korean specialists.