Ukraine – metamorphosis

In a seismic shift that reverberated across the globe, Russia’s full-scale military incursion into Ukraine on February 24, 2022, jolted the world into a state of shock and disbelief. As the war continues to unfold, its profound impact is becoming increasingly evident, with Ukraine grappling with a multitude of challenges that span both human and environmental dimensions.

The scale of the devastation wrought by the war is staggering, with widespread displacement, a surge in unemployment, and a sharp downturn in economic activity. The physical toll of the war is equally stark, as communities and nature are left ravaged by destruction and infrastructure lies in ruins.

Despite the immense challenges, the people of Ukraine remain resilient, buoyed by a spirit of determination and hope. Embracing the motto of «building back better,» Ukrainians are steadfast in their commitment to rebuilding and forging a brighter future.

Building on this energy, the ‘Metamorphosis’ research initiative emerges as a beacon of innovation and resilience in the face of adversity. Serving as a nexus for reflection, research, and collaborative ideation, ‘Metamorphosis’ transcends mere recovery or restoration efforts, charting a course towards a profound metamorphosis for the future of Ukrainian cities.

Multi-Actor Mapping

Recovery efforts in Ukraine are becoming tangled as international organizations join national actors in navigating the new governance landscape. To shed light on this complexity, this line focuses on understanding and visualizing Ukraine’s recovery complexity: actors, networks and discourses. The idea is to provide a snapshot rather than a comprehensive view, utilizing a combination of interviews, workshops, and quantitative data analysis to explore the emerging complexity.

Go to Kumu Map

Multi-Actor Mapping

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Dream City (Місто Мрія)

At the heart of ‘Dream City’ lies a participatory scientific journey that commenced in June 2023, resonating with the voices of displaced Ukrainian individuals in Valencia, Spain, and Stockholm, Sweden.

Through a kaleidoscope of methodologies – including in-depth interviews, immersive workshops, evocative PhotoVoice exercises, visionary foresight sessions, and even LEGO city building – we’ve ignited a vibrant dialogue, amplifying the dreams and aspirations of those often marginalized in discussions about their own cities’ futures.

This pioneering project represents a harmonious convergence of art and science, wherein displaced voices take center stage. By harnessing this synergy, ‘Dream City’ contributes a tapestry of diverse perspectives to the metamorphosis of post-war cities and the nuanced shaping of migration patterns across Ukraine and Europe.

Download the process

Climate Recovery

We are crafting a Theoretical Framework and a powerful practical tool (Climate Recovery Contracts) for urban post-disaster recovery that will be directly co-created and tested in the Ukrainian cities.

The results aim to empower cities facing disasters not only to return to their pre-existing state, but to advance towards climate-resilient and net-zero recovery, covering two of the EU’s critical missions: Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities; as well as Resilient Regions and Communities until 2030; as required by the scale and scope of the climate emergency.

The Team

Oksana Udovyk

Founder of the ‘Metamorphosis’ project. She is conducting postdoctoral research at INGENIO (CSIC-UPV), working with the EU Mission: Climate-Neutral Smart Cities. Her passion is to bridge grassroots innovations with cutting-edge research, bringing together citizens, science, nature, technology, and policy for the common good.

Ruth M-Domènech

Graphic designer and Ph.D. student in Local Development and International Cooperation (UPV). Her academic interest focuses on community art as a tool for emancipation and political impact.