Architectural Anarchy

By Walter Kish

Kyiv, like most major cities, European or otherwise, has lots of neighbourhoods.  Sad to say, most of them are vast tracts of Soviet-era block housing in various states of disrepair, presenting little of either architectural or cultural interest.

While it is true that Kyiv is currently experiencing a construction boom, with new high-rises and office buildings sprouting up like mushrooms, the emphasis has been on volume, keeping costs down and fitting as many people as you possibly can into every square metre of space.  What esthetic architectural effort has been made, has usually consisted of overdone, neo-modernistic aping of what I personally consider the worst architectural trends of the Western world.  It is particularly painful to see one of these hypermodern monstrosities standing out in an established neighbourhood with graceful, classical period buildings from the last century. 

Even worse is when a large building structure is located in a space where it is totally at odds with its natural surroundings.  A good example in Kyiv is a tall new residential high-rise being built on parkland on the high escarpment overlooking the Dnipro River near the country’s Parliament buildings.   The formerly beautiful, verdant skyline of Kyiv, when viewed from the river, is now ignominiously broken up by this discordant monstrosity, which is both out of proportion, as well as totally out of place with the surrounding landscape.  The building contravenes any number of official plans, zoning regulations, and geological restrictions. However, it is said that the money behind its construction belongs to a highly placed and highly powerful oligarchic elite, to whom such considerations are more of a nuisance than a restraint.  A properly functioning zoning infrastructure and its enforcement are obviously not on the immediate horizon in Kyiv.

Lest I be accused of being an architectural reactionary, I would like to clarify that I have nothing against modern architecture and appreciate innovation and creativity in this sphere as any progressive product of the twentieth century. But, I do believe that municipal authorities have a primary duty in ensuring that there is an esthetic and a cultural consistency within historically or functionally formed neighbourhoods and districts within a given urban area.  Architectural anarchy and visually clashing forms or styles abutting each other do not make for esthetically and spiritually satisfying urban vistas.  The environment within which we live or spend significant amounts of our lives can have a large impact on our psychological and emotional well-being, and the visual aspect of that environment can be a key factor. 

In addition, the appearance and visual atmosphere of a city can have a major impact on its success as a tourist destination.  When one looks at some of the major tourist centres in Europe, it is not difficult to appreciate that the huge popularity of such places as London, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Rome, Venice and even Krakiw are due in large measure to their architectural and historical beauty, one that has been carefully nurtured and preserved.

Kyiv has that same potential, as do Lviv, Kharkiv, Poltava, and many other Ukrainian historic cities.  However, this will only be achieved if Ukraine’s municipal and other relevant government authorities make it a priority to encourage the restoration and preservation of their historical architectural heritage, and prevent the unplanned and unregulated development in established historic neighbourhoods.

I have seen marvelous examples in Kyiv and Lviv of the restoration of centuries-old buildings to their original glory.  I have also seen new building go up in older established areas that, though new, preserved the look and feel and the essential esthetic spirit of their surroundings, leading to a harmonious consistency that is pleasing to both the eye and the spirit. Unfortunately, there are nowhere nearly enough such examples.

Ukraine needs to turn its attentions towards preserving its historical and cultural legacy before too many more of its unique buildings and neighbourhoods disappear as a result of the pressure from the proponents of progress and real estate profits.