Safeguarding the Capital's Heritage: An Urban Center Reconstructing Itself Amidst the Onslaught of Conflict.

Lesia Danylenko beamed with pride as she displayed her recently completed front door. Volunteers had playfully nicknamed its ornate transom window the “croissant”, a playful reference to its bowed shape. “I think it’s more of a showy bird,” she commented, appreciating its branch-like details. The renovation effort at one of Kyiv’s pre-World War I art nouveau houses was made possible by residents, who celebrated with a couple of lively pavement parties.

It was also an demonstration of opposition towards an invading force, she elaborated: “We are trying to live like ordinary people despite the war. It’s about organizing our life in the best possible way. We’re not afraid of remaining in our homeland. I had the option to depart, moving away to a foreign land. Instead, I’m here. The new entrance symbolizes our commitment to our homeland.”

“We strive to live like ordinary people despite the war. It’s about shaping our life in the best possible way.”

Protecting Kyiv’s architectural heritage could be considered paradoxical at a time when drone attacks frequently hit the capital, resulting in death and destruction. Since the beginning of the current year, aerial raids have been significantly intensified. After each attack, workers board up broken windows with plywood and attempt, where possible, to salvage residential buildings.

Among the Conflict, a Campaign for Beauty

Amid the bombs, a collective of activists has been striving to save the city’s deteriorating mansions, built in a playful style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the downtown Shevchenkivskyi district. It was built in 1906 and was initially the home of a wealthy fur dealer. Its outer walls is decorated with horse chestnut leaves and fine camomile flowers.

“These structures stand as symbols of Kyiv. These properties are uncommon in the present day,” Danylenko said. The mansion was designed by a designer of Central European origin. Several other buildings nearby exhibit analogous art nouveau elements, including asymmetry – with a medieval spire on one side and a small tower on the other. One beloved house in the area boasts two forlorn white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a imp.

Dual Dangers to History

But armed conflict is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face profit-driven developers who demolish listed buildings, dishonest officials and a administrative body unconcerned or opposed to the city’s vast architectural history. The severe winter climate adds another burden.

“Kyiv is a city where wealth dictates. We don’t have genuine political will to save our heritage,” said Dmytro Perov, an activist. He asserted the city’s leadership was allied with many of the developers who destroy important houses. Perov added that the vision for the capital is reminiscent of a different time. The mayor denies these claims, saying they originate from political rivals.

Perov said many of the civically minded activists who once defended older properties were now fighting on the frontline or had been lost. The lengthy conflict meant that all citizens was facing economic hardship, he added, including judicial figures who mysteriously ruled in favour of dubious new-build schemes. “The longer this persists the more we see degradation of our society and public institutions,” he argued.

Loss and Neglect

One notorious location of loss is in the historic Podil neighbourhood. The street was the site of classical 19th-century houses. A developer who obtained the plot had agreed to preserve its charming brick facade. In the immediate aftermath of the 2022 invasion, heavy machinery razed it to the ground. Recently, a crane excavated foundations for a new commercial complex, watched by a surly security guard.

Anatolii Pohorily, a heritage supporter, said there was faint chance for the remaining turquoise-painted houses on the site. Sometimes developers demolished old properties while claiming they were doing “archaeological research”, he said. A previous regime also wrought immense damage on the capital, redesigning its main thoroughfare after the second world war so it could accommodate official processions.

Continuing the Work

One of Kyiv’s most notable advocates of historic buildings, a cultural activist, was killed in 2022 while serving in the frontline. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were continuing his vital preservation work. There were originally 3,500 stone mansions in Kyiv, many erected for the city’s prosperous entrepreneurs. Only 80 of their period doors survived, she said.

“It wasn’t aerial bombardments that destroyed them. It was us,” she lamented. “The war could last another 20 years. If we neglect architecture now nothing will be left,” she continued. Chudna recently helped to restore a full of character creeper-covered house built in 1910, which acts as the headquarters of her cultural organization and operates as a film set and museum. The property has a new vermilion portal and period-correct railings; inside is a historic washroom and antique mirrors.

“The war could go on for another 20 years. If we fail to protect architecture now not a thing will be left.”

The building’s tenant, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as “quite special and a little bit cold”. Why do many residents not cherish the past? “Regrettably they are without education and taste. It’s all about business. We are trying as a country to integrate with the west. But we are still a way off from civilization,” he said. Outdated ways of thinking remained, with people unwilling to take personal responsibility for their built surroundings, he added.

Resilience in Restoration

Some buildings are falling apart because of official neglect. Chudna showed a once-magical villa concealed behind a modern hospital. Its roof had caved in; pigeons made their home among its broken windows; debris lay under a storybook tower. “Many times we are unsuccessful,” she admitted. “Restoration is a coping mechanism for us. We are striving to save all this history and splendour.”

In the face of destruction and commercial interests, these activists continue their work, one facade at a time, stating that to save a city’s soul, you must first protect its walls.