An international contest is being held to transform Kyiv's historic Kontraktova Square (Deadline: 29 January)The competition organised by Danish charity DIY Ukraine seeks innovative tactical urbanism proposals for new quick-to-assemble street furniture that could transform the historic plaza which had been earmarked for a major overhaul prior to Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022.The call for concepts aims to identify a range of quick, low-cost, and scalable solutions to upgrade the square which is located in the historic Podil commercial district of Kyiv which saw heavy fighting on its outskirts in the opening weeks of the conflict.Kontraktova Square in KyivCredit:Image by Nick Grapsy Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International licenseKey aims include boosting community resilience, healing, and connection and testing out upgrades that could catalyse long-term change in the area.According to the brief: Following tactical urbanism principles, proposals should emphasize flexible, easy-to-build-and-remove interventions that also adopt trauma-sensitive design strategies ensuring the space feels safe, welcoming, and inclusive.Participants are encouraged to use sustainable materials, inclusive design practices, and user-friendly features that foster everyday comfort, social interaction, and respect for the squares cultural heritage.By championing cost-effective, quickly deployable, and empathetic solutions, this initiative strives to transform Kontraktova Square into a people-centred, resilient public space despite the constant threat of attack and to set a new standard for reimagining historic urban centres both in Ukraine and around the globe.The Russian invasion of Ukraine started more than two years ago on 24 February 2022 and has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties, the displacement of millions of people and the destruction of large areas of the country.The latest contest comes shortly after the Norman Foster Foundation named the winners of an open international contest to reimagine Freedom Square in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The foundation announced the winner of a separate contest to rebuild housing and public spaces in the city in November.The competition invites designers, architects, and urban planners worldwide to draw up concepts to transform Kontraktova Square into a vibrant, inclusive space that welcomes all members of the community.Kontraktova Square in KyivCredit:Image by Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported licenseKey aims include introducing new accessible, comfortable seating areas with adequate shade and providing a peaceful haven for relaxation and recovery featuring sports and outdoor fitness facilities that encourage active living.Proposals should be harness sustainable or recycled materials, be easy to construct with a team of volunteers, be cost-effective and replicable, be resilient enough to last at least two years, and be respectful of the square's historical significance and architectural context.The contest languages are English, Ukrainian, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and French.Judges will include Danish urbanist Mikael Colville-Andersen and Oleksandr Vaschenko of L Design Landscape Architecture. Concepts will be judgedThe overall winner of the competition due to be announced on 7 February will be built and implemented in Kontraktova Square during spring this year. The completed concept may also be relocated to other Ukrainian cities.How to applyDeadline: 29 January 2025Competition funding source: Novo Nordisk, UkraineActive, DIY UkraineProject funding source: Novo Nordisk, UkraineActive, DIY UkraineOwner of site: The City of KyivContact details: diy.ukraine.ngo@gmail.comVisit the https://www.diy-ukraine.com/design-competition