The event «Resilience of Odesa: New Paths to Recovery» was held at the Odesa Regional Development Agency.
The meeting brought together local authorities, scholars, international partners, and urban planners. Notable participants included Martin Duplantier, President of the French Architects Association; Dovidas Vitkauskas, Advisor to the Office of the President of Ukraine; and former Chairman of the Lithuanian Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs, Alvydas Medalinskas.
During the dialogue, Alexander Filatov, the First Deputy Mayor of Odesa, emphasized that despite the historical center of Odesa being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Russian attacks continue to damage cultural monuments and civilian infrastructure.
«Odesa remains a city of resilience and development. We are dedicated to preserving our cultural heritage and restoring the city as quickly as possible. Thanks to the joint efforts of the city authorities and the Odesa State Academy of Construction and Architecture, we have a clear plan of action and practical experience in restoring residential buildings and managing the consequences of aggression,» noted Alexander Filatov.
Ukraine, particularly the port city of Odesa, is becoming a source of practical experience in business resilience and civil security systems during wartime. We are not just responding to threats; we are creating life-saving solutions. From building shelters and effective warning systems to promptly addressing the aftermath of attacks. From scientific support for stabilization and restoration of damaged facilities to systematic coordination with NGOs.
«Most importantly, we are not only adapting to the new reality; we are shaping it. We are creating models that are already attracting interest from Baltic countries and other European partners,» commented Alexander Filatov.
International partners also expressed interest in Odesa's experience in rebuilding structures after hostile attacks. European experts noted their readiness to share their expertise in managing UNESCO-protected sites and to assist in garnering international support for Odesa.
Anatoliy Kovrov, Rector of the Odesa State Academy of Construction and Architecture, highlighted the significance of the academic community's participation in international cooperation, sharing experiences with European partners, and researching the impact of Russian strikes on urban architecture.
As a result of the meeting, participants agreed to continue the dialogue and initiate joint projects in the field of urban environment restoration, cultural heritage preservation, and international partnership development.
The event was organized by the public organization «Volunteer Movement «Common Goal» in collaboration with Urban Buro.
