The Norman Foster Foundation Showcases Visionary Masterplan for Kharkiv at Triennale di Milano – results from the UN4UkrainianCities Initiative

At the 24th Triennale di Milano, the Norman Foster Foundation is presenting a groundbreaking urban vision for the reconstruction of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, as part of its broader exhibition addressing global inequalities. The project, titled the Kharkiv Concept Masterplan, stands out as a centrepiece of the Foundation’s contribution to “Towards a More Equal Future”, an exhibition that explores design’s role in building resilience and equity across the globe.

Just 30 kilometres from the border, Kharkiv has suffered significant damage since the onset of the armed conflict in Ukraine. In April 2022, during the United Nations Forum of Mayors in Geneva, Mayor Ihor Terekov invited Lord Norman Foster to assist in shaping the city’s post-war recovery. The response led to the formation of a multidisciplinary task force coordinated by the Norman Foster Foundation and supported by international partners including Arup (Berlin), economists from Harvard and Oxford, and both local and global urban experts.

Developed under the UNECE UN4UkrainianCities Initiative, with funding from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and support from GIZ, the Kharkiv concept masterplan reflects an extraordinary level of community and expert engagement. Over 230 working sessions brought together more than 800 professionals. Public consultations gathered input from over 16,000 citizens, underscoring the project’s participatory approach.

Guided by a long-term vision for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient Kharkiv, the masterplan is structured around five transformative pilot projects:

Restoration of cultural heritage
Revitalization of rivers and green spaces
Modernization of industry
Development of sustainable housing
Creation of a new science neighbourhood

The exhibition highlights the outcomes of the UN4UkrainainCities first phase, offering a closer look at specific interventions already completed. Among these are the results of the Housing Design Competition for North Saltivka, which reimagines conflict-damaged residential blocks and adjacent public spaces with a focus on liveability and resilience. Also featured are the competition entries for the Regional Administration Building and Freedom Square, which aim to restore Kharkiv’s historical and symbolic centre. In addition, the Foundation’s feasibility study for the new Science Neighbourhood is presented in detail, outlining plans for a vibrant, inclusive, and mixed-use innovation district that connects communities and promotes technological advancement.

These components reflect a forward-looking approach to urban regeneration, one that respects Kharkiv’s historic identity while fostering innovation and sustainability.

The exhibition at Triennale di Milano, open until 9 November 2025, offers visitors a chance to explore the Kharkiv Concept Masterplan alongside other initiatives that challenge inequality through design, urban planning, and technology. It positions architecture not just as a creative discipline, but as a catalyst for social transformation in times of crisis.