In this article, we introduce three participants of this year's Urban Heritage Strategies short course offered by IHS in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE). Svetlana Sukhanova, Dana Khushman, and Liza Goncharenko are strongly connected with their cities. In this interview, we discuss how heritage can serve as a vital asset for future urban development.
Liza Goncharenko
Liza Goncharenko is a Ukrainian architect and urban designer who lives and works in Brussels. She holds an MSc in Architecture from LUCA School of Arts, KU Leuven, and a BArch from KhNUCEA, with additional studies in Urban Design and Landscape Architecture from Lisbon University. After graduation, she gained practical experience at several architecture offices in Kharkiv, Stockholm, Antwerp, and Brussels. From 2013 to 2017, Liza was a National Contact for Ukraine and a tutor for several workshops at the han, where she remains an active member. "I am interested in alternative economies, more-than-human ecologies, material cultures, and adaptive reuse."
Kharkiv - a major educational and intellectual hub
Kharkiv, a vibrant cultural and student city, is a major educational and intellectual hub in Ukraine. Urban heritage in Kharkiv is a testament to the city's rich historical tapestry and architectural diversity. The historic centre, with its cobblestone streets and elegant facades, captures the essence of Kharkiv’s past while incorporating modern developments. However, the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine poses a significant threat to its urban heritage. Numerous historical buildings and cultural landmarks have been damaged or are at risk, underscoring the urgent need for preservation amidst the war. The destruction threatens not only the physical structures but also the cultural identity and historical continuity they represent, making efforts to protect and restore Kharkiv's urban heritage more crucial than ever.
"The prospect of engaging in a continuous professional development programme that bridges the gap between heritage protection and sustainable urban planning in Ukraine resonates deeply with my aspirations."
Liza is enthusiastic about exploring the theoretical frameworks and methodologies within the Urban Heritage Strategies short course. By participating in the programme, she hopes to deepen her understanding of participatory and sustainable development with a focus on heritage. In Ukraine, where adaptive reuse is a relatively new concept, Liza's interest in the course is driven by the potential to explore and implement this approach in post-war reconstruction and housing. "My main interests and driving forces for participation in the programme revolve around gaining expertise in adaptive reuse, heritage preservation, and sustainable development." Through the course, she aims to meet the needs of developing context-specific solutions for post-war urban environments in Ukraine.
Dana Khushman
Dana Khushman is a design architect, project coordinator, and consultant from Jordan, holding a degree in Architecture and the Built Environment from the German Jordanian University. She specialises in setting plans, preparing detailed studies and architectural designs, and ensuring the preservation of their historical significance. "My work involves preparing studies and designs for government buildings, supervising their execution, and managing their maintenance, with a keen eye on integrating heritage elements into modern architecture". She also plays a crucial role in updating and developing building-related legislation and specifications to prioritise heritage conservation.
Amman and its rich cultural tapestry
Amman, the vibrant capital city of Jordan, holds a special place in Dana's heart. The city is a living testament to the rich cultural tapestry that has been woven over millennia. What makes Amman truly unique is its deep-rooted "sense of place" that has developed over time. This sense of identity is reflected in its built environment, which tells stories of the past while standing resilient in the present. Amman is a city where ancient civilizations meet contemporary history, creating a unique blend of cultural heritage. The patterns of cultural identity in Jordan and Amman are evident in its architecture, which ranges from ancient ruins to modern buildings. The city's heritage is not just about preserving old structures; it's about celebrating the diverse history and culture that have shaped its identity.
"Architecture is more than just structures to me; it embodies art, politics, social statements, functionality, beauty, and cultural heritage. As a passionate architect from different global backgrounds, I feel a profound calling to contribute positively to the world through my work and experiences."
Dana is passionate about making a positive impact in her community, improving resource distribution, and safeguarding waste resources in rich architectural heritage communities. "I believe preserving cultural heritage is crucial and must be examined to clarify its characteristics and benefits." She considers the Urban Heritage Strategies short course a great step in providing her with the necessary framework to realise her full potential and adapt heritage development to modern circumstances. "Growing up in Jordan, surrounded by the rich historical tapestry of Amman, I became aware of how architecture can tell stories of ancient civilisations while adapting to contemporary needs, as well as the relationships between heritage preservation and modern urban planning."
Svetlana Sukhanova
Svetlana Sukhanova is from Odessa, where she graduated from the Odessa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture (OSACEA) with a degree in Civil Engineering. She is a certified expert in technical inspection of buildings and structures. As a PhD and associate professor of the Department of Production of Building Products and Structures of OSACEA, she teaches materials science, construction organization, construction base of construction, and more. Besides OSACEA, she also works at a design organisation. "We prepare design documentation, develop it, and carry out technical inspection of buildings and structures, specializing in buildings that are monuments of urban planning and architecture, i.e., precisely what is of cultural value."
The cultural heritage of Odessa
Svetlana sees Odessa's peculiarity as being built according to a regular plan. "The streets intersect at right angles, and from a bird' s-eye view, the city looks divided into even squares and rectangles, so it is easy to navigate and difficult to get lost." The buildings in Odessa represent many different styles, such as classicism, empire style, neo-baroque, gothic, modern, and neoclassicism.
When asked about her approach to urban heritage, Svetlana said she has always preferred reparation rather than destruction.
"I have the same attitude towards the city's cultural heritage—not to destroy, definitely, but to repair."
Svetlana shared that the course is an opportunity to share experiences with other participants. "We can tell each other how we solve problems that inevitably arise with our old buildings, and we will be happy to get acquainted with other's methods and technologies." She believes that such an exchange of experience should be carried out continuously to guarantee peace, goodness, and a shared creative idea that can unite people.
