Panorama Ukraine was opened by Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on 12 April. The exhibition is the result of a collaboration between Ukrainian and Dutch architects and urban planners. Together, they are working on an inspiring and hopeful vision for the future of the country. The purpose of the collaboration is to rebuild Ukraine in a sustainable and inclusive manner, with the help of Dutch expertise. Panorama Ukraine is a collaborative initiative of six Dutch and Ukrainian organisations that receive financial support from the Dutch government. 

One of the participants is the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR). Its director, Saskia van Stein, describes design as ‘an important tool for visualising and accelerating change in an innovative and integrated way. In this partnership we aim to share inspiration, by reflecting collaboratively on design and other issues, and to learn from each other’s strengths and experiences. Driven by Dutch design insights, this initiative dovetails with Ukrainian visions for a better future.’

Hopeful future

Russia’s large-scale war of aggression in Ukraine has been raging for over three years now and has caused immense destruction throughout the country. A large number of cities and much of Ukraine’s infrastructure, such as buildings, roads and power plants, are in ruins. This destruction has had a major impact on society, the economy and social services and facilities such as healthcare. 
Panorama Ukraine offers a glimpse of a hopeful future. ‘Even in the darkest times, Ukrainians look ahead,’ said Yana Kryvobok, a senior policy officer for culture and public diplomacy at the Dutch embassy in Kyiv.  ‘The Russians are destroying our cities. With help from their Dutch counterparts, Ukrainian urban planners are working on ideas to change our cities for the better. We can all draw inspiration and strength from this.’

Water and sustainable energy

At the heart of the exhibition is the presentation of the results of the first three theme-based ‘Panorama Ukraine’ workshops: on water, healthy and future-proof neighbourhoods, and sustainable energy production. The workshops were held in both Ukraine and the Netherlands. By focusing on various regions and municipalities, participants in the workshops considered ways in which the Netherlands and Ukraine can work together to create a more inclusive and sustainable future. 
In addition to the physical exhibition there are also lectures for students and young professionals at the Lviv Polytechnic University and Kharkiv School of Architecture. 

For more information, see the website of the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR) (in English and Dutch). Panorama Ukraine is a collaboration between the Ukraine - Netherlands Urban Network (UNUN), Urban Reform, Restart Agency, the Board of Government Advisers (CRa) and the Deltametropolis Association. It is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the International Cooperation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG International) and the Dutch embassy in Kyiv.