Public gardens, bicycle stations, and green space: how young architects in Mykolaiv changed the city

Mykolaiv architecture students have implemented nine innovative eco-projects. Thanks to this initiative, young people gained unique experience, and the city received modern solutions to improve the environment.

This was reported by the press service of the Mykolaiv City Council.

In Mykolaiv, young architects received awards for implementing innovative eco-projects. Students of the Mykolaiv College of Civil Engineering created modern public gardens, eco-locations, and workshops for cyclists with the support of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund, which provided technical and financial assistance.

During a meeting with the program participants, Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych reminded them that Mykolaiv joined the fund last year.

Among the projects implemented by the students:

• Druzhby Square (Inzhenerna Street) - arrangement of green areas;
• "Green Space (1 Slobidska St.) - planting trees and collecting rainwater;
• "Arch Garden" (Soborna Street) - decorative arch and landscaping;
• the area between 6 and 9 Slobidska streets along Tsentralnyi Avenue - rain gardens, parklets, protective grates for trees;
• an aid station on the bicycle route near the DOF - installation of technical means to improve bicycle infrastructure;
• green area near 48 Mira Ave. - landscaping, parklets, rain gardens;
• 3 Slobidska Street, near the building 33 - rain gardens and landscaping;
• the corner of Shoseina and 8 Bereznya streets along Tsentralnyi Avenue - landscaping and rainwater collection;
• 2, 1 Slobidska Street - tree planting, radial benches, rainwater collection.

The mayor noted the usefulness of such initiatives for the community and students, who gained valuable experience. Director of the Department of Architecture Yevhen Polyakov emphasized that the program participants have mastered modern technologies, and the director of the college, Georgiy Bondarenko, stressed the importance of such programs for education and professional growth.

Last December, thanks to the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, students of Mykolaiv College of Construction arranged a modern ecology area. They installed comfortable benches, laid paving slabs and decorated the area with stones, which not only improved the look of the institution but also helped to raise environmental awareness among young people.

The students also renovated the public garden at the intersection of Kolodyazna and 3 Slobidska streets with the help of an international grant. As part of the project, they leveled the surface, added soil, trimmed plants, planted 100 lavender bushes and 25 millet bushes, and replaced old benches and trash cans with modern ones.

In April 2024, Mykolaiv was included in the list of 100 cities that joined the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund program. Through this fund, cities receive technical support and funding to engage young people aged 15 to 24 in the development and implementation of projects aimed at quickly addressing climate challenges. As part of this initiative, Mykolaiv received $50,000 in microgrants to support youth climate projects.

Анна Бальчінос