European urbanism in the life of Ukrainian communities: The legacy of Dionysius McCler

The project aims not only to create an art object, but also to comprehensively rethink the space around the railway station, which is an important part of the urban environment, and to involve young people in actively shaping this space through participatory methods and educational activities.

Historical context:

Zdolbuniv was formed and developed thanks to two main factors: the railway and the cement industry. At the end of the 19th century, Czech entrepreneurs, the Jelínek brothers, opened one of the first cement plants in Eastern Europe here, and the railway built in 1873 turned the city into an important logistics hub of Volhynia.

The railway and cement are inextricably linked: it was the railway that allowed cement to be transported throughout Ukraine and beyond, creating the economic base of the city. However, today this unique history is almost absent from the urban space, and the concrete that once made the city famous is often perceived only in utilitarian terms.

Project objectives:

• Create the first landmark concrete art object in Zdolbuniv, which will highlight the unique identity of the city.
• To activate public participation, especially among young people, in rethinking and shaping public space.
• To conduct educational and advocacy work on the value of concrete as an artistic and urban material.
• To launch a process of comprehensive transformation of the station square.

Main project activities:

1. Creation of a concrete art figure:

• Development and approval of the design of an art figure symbolizing the connection between cement and the railway.
• Manufacture of concrete elements, metal structures, and glass parts for the art figure.
• Installation of the concrete art figure on the station square, which will become a new city landmark.

2. Educational and participatory program:

• Conducting workshops for young people on the following topics:
   
  • “Art concrete: new possibilities for the material in art and sculpture.”
  • “Concrete recycling: environmental aspects of material reuse.”
  • “Eco-concrete: innovative solutions for urban spaces.”

   
   

• Interactive master classes on concrete in urban design.
• Two participatory sessions and an online survey, during which young people and the community will form their vision of the future station square.

3. Advocacy campaign:

• Creation of a short informational video about the upcoming transformation of the square.
• Large-scale informational campaign on social media and local media.
• Presentation of the concept for renovating the square in front of the city council, developed jointly with the community, for its further approval.

4. Final event:

• Grand opening of the concrete art figure with a presentation of the project results to the community and media.

Expected project results:

• The city's first concrete art sculpture has been installed, which will become an important cultural and tourist attraction.
• More than 150 young people actively participated in participatory events and educational workshops.
• A concept for the transformation of the station square has been developed and submitted to the city authorities, taking into account modern standards of comfort, accessibility, and safety.
• Raising awareness among young people and the community about the history, culture, and potential of the city of Zdolbuniv.
• Strengthening cooperation between the community and the authorities on urban planning issues.

Target audience:

• Young people in Zdolbuniv (aged 15-35), schoolchildren, students, young artists, internally displaced persons, people with disabilities.
• The wider community of Zdolbuniv, which will gain a new high-quality public space.

Project partners:

• NGO “Center for Sustainable Initiatives” (coordinator).
• Zdolbuniv City Council.
• Youth and cultural organizations of the city.
• Local media and activists.

How to join the project:

We invite young people, local artists, experts in urban planning, ecology, and anyone interested in the development of Zdolbuniv and the creation of comfortable urban spaces to collaborate with us.

Contact details for collaboration:
📧 Email: centersustainableinitiatives@gmail.com