As Kharkiv embarks on the long road to recovery following the devastating conflict in Ukraine, a global design competition has been initiated by the Norman Foster Foundation and Buildner to reimagine one of the city's most significant landmarks—Freedom Square. A symbol of Soviet-era urban planning, the square, along with the Regional Administration Building, was heavily damaged by a missile strike on March 1, 2022. The attack left the building in ruins and the square scarred by conflict.
Now, two years on, the city is rallying to restore and renew its urban spaces. In collaboration with Kharkiv City Council, UNECE, and Arup, the open competition calls on architects and designers worldwide to submit proposals for transforming the square into a dynamic, revitalized public space. The challenge includes not only restoring the damaged Regional Administration Building but also reimagining Freedom Square—one of the largest squares in Europe—as a vibrant center for civic life.
Freedom Square has long been central to Kharkiv's identity, representing both its cultural and political significance. However, its vast expanse has often left it feeling empty and underutilized. Today, the competition seeks to change that, asking designers to create a space that is pedestrian-friendly, community-centered, and reflective of the city's resilience in the face of adversity.
