The reconstruction of Kharkiv’s residential neighbourhoods is one of the city’s most significant recovery challenges. Large-panel apartment blocks form a defining part of Kharkiv’s urban fabric, with residential districts such as Saltivka, Oleksiivka and Novy Domi developed during the second half of the twentieth century. Many of these buildings already required major repairs and modernisation, while extensive damage has highlighted the urgency of safe and sustainable housing recovery. With around 80% of residents living in apartment blocks, improving housing quality is a city-wide priority.

North Saltivka, one of the residential areas most severely affected by the war, was selected as the pilot neighbourhood where new approaches to housing reconstruction can be developed and tested. The pilot is designed to generate solutions and lessons that can be adapted to other residential neighbourhoods across Kharkiv and beyond.

The first phase included the Kharkiv Housing Challenge, an international architecture competition launched in May 2024 and completed in October 2024. It attracted 259 submissions from 53 countries, including 27 from Ukraine. First prize went to United Kingdom, second to China, and third to Türkiye. Six proposals also received honourable mentions, broadening the range of ideas available to inform the pilot’s development.

Building on the competition’s findings, the project is progressing from concept design to coordinated technical and detailed design in partnership with O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv. This work brings together architectural, structural, engineering and landscape design, with the aim of producing tender-ready documentation aligned with Ukrainian building standards and requirements for future implementation.

The pilot focuses on new housing blocks that combine energy efficiency, accessibility and safety with comfortable living spaces. Residential buildings are integrated with dual-use underground parking and shelter facilities, a pre-school education facility with its own shelter, and welcoming public spaces. Together, these elements support everyday life, improve access to essential services and establish a replicable model for neighbourhood recovery.

The Science Neighbourhood envisions the transformation of the Barabashova Market area into a mixed-use district centred on science, innovation and knowledge-based development. The project builds on Kharkiv’s strong academic, scientific and industrial identity, creating an environment where universities, research institutions, technology companies, entrepreneurs and residents can come together as part of the city’s long-term recovery and economic transformation.

Selected following an assessment of three potential locations, the site offers available land, room for growth, access to public transport and proximity to the Kharkiv River and natural spaces. Its position between the city centre, Saltivka and the Industrial District creates an opportunity to reconnect these areas through a compact, walkable neighbourhood. Green spaces, pedestrian and cycling routes, and improved access to riverside nature would strengthen these connections while supporting biodiversity, recreation and social interaction.

Barabashova Market is central to the proposal. As an established commercial and cultural landmark, it supports livelihoods and community networks that are important to the area’s identity. The concept retains and modernises the market in a more compact form, integrating trading activities with spaces for community gatherings, exhibitions, fairs and business events.

Research facilities and workplaces are combined with housing, education, commerce, culture and leisure, supported by accessible public spaces and sustainable mobility. This integrated approach aims to create a neighbourhood that remains active throughout the day, generates opportunities for employment and enterprise, and provides an inclusive, climate-resilient model for Kharkiv’s future development.