Preserving Kyiv's Heritage: An Urban Center Rebuilding Itself Under the Threat of Conflict.

Lesia Danylenko showed off with satisfaction her recently completed front door. Local helpers had playfully nicknamed its elegant transom window the “croissant”, a whimsical nod to its bowed shape. “In my opinion it’s more of a peafowl,” she commented, appreciating its tree limb-inspired details. The refurbishment initiative at one of Kyiv’s early 20th-century art nouveau houses was made possible by residents, who celebrated with several neighbourhood pavement parties.

It was also an expression of resistance in the face of an invading force, she clarified: “We strive to live like everyday people in spite of the war. It’s about organizing our life in the optimal way. We’re not afraid of remaining in our country. The possibility to emigrate existed, relocating to another European nation. On the contrary, I’m here. The new entrance symbolizes our allegiance to our homeland.”

“Our aim is to live like ordinary people regardless of the war. It’s about organizing our life in the most positive way.”

Preserving Kyiv’s architectural heritage could be considered paradoxical at a period when drone attacks routinely fall the capital, bringing death and destruction. Since the beginning of the current year, offensive operations have been notably increased. After each attack, workers cover shattered windows with plywood and attempt, where possible, to save residential buildings.

Amid the Conflict, a Campaign for Identity

Amid the bombs, a band of activists has been working to conserve the city’s decaying mansions, built in a whimsical style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the historic Shevchenkivskyi district. It was constructed in 1906 and was first the home of a affluent fur dealer. Its facade is decorated with horse chestnut leaves and fine camomile flowers.

“These structures stand as symbols of Kyiv. These properties are quite rare nowadays,” Danylenko noted. The residence was designed by a designer of Austrian-German origin. Several other buildings in the vicinity showcase similar art nouveau characteristics, including asymmetry – with a medieval spire on one side and a projection on the other. One popular house in the area boasts two unhappy white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a demonic figure.

Dual Dangers to History

But military aggression is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face unscrupulous developers who raze listed buildings, corrupt officials and a political leadership indifferent or hostile to the city’s profound architectural history. The bitter winter climate adds another challenge.

“Kyiv is a city where capital prevails. We are missing substantive political will to save our heritage,” said Dmytro Perov, an activist. He claimed the city’s mayor was closely associated with many of the developers who flatten important houses. Perov further alleged that the plan for the capital is reminiscent of a different time. The mayor denies these claims, attributing them from political rivals.

Perov said many of the civically minded activists who once protected older properties were now engaged in combat or had been killed. The lengthy conflict meant that everyone was facing economic hardship, he added, including those in the legal system who curiously ruled in favour of questionable new-build schemes. “The longer this persists the more we see degradation of our society and state bodies,” he argued.

Demolition and Abandonment

One egregious location of loss is in the riverside Podil neighbourhood. The street was the site of classical 19th-century houses. A developer who purchased the plot had pledged to preserve its charming brick facade. Shortly following the 2022 invasion, diggers demolished it. Recently, a crane prepared foundations for a new commercial complex, observed by a surly security guard.

Anatolii Pohorily, a heritage supporter, said there was little optimism for the remaining coloured houses on the site. Sometimes developers destroyed old properties while stating they were doing “archaeological research”, he said. A previous regime also wrought immense damage on the capital, rebuilding its primary street after the second world war so it could allow for military vehicles.

Upholding the Legacy

One of Kyiv’s most notable champions of historic buildings, a cultural activist, was fell in 2022 while engaged in a eastern city. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were continuing his vital preservation work. There were at one time 3,500 brick-built mansions in Kyiv, many constructed for the city’s prosperous entrepreneurs. Only 80 of their period doors are still in existence, she said.

“It was not foreign rockets that got rid of them. It was us,” she admitted sadly. “The war could go on for another 20 years. If we fail to protect architecture now not a thing will be left,” she added. Chudna recently helped to restore a full of character creeper-covered house built in 1910, which functions as the headquarters of her cultural organization and operates as a film set and museum. The property has a new red door and period-correct railings; inside is a vintage sanitary facility and antique mirrors.

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

The building’s tenant, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as “very cool and a little bit cold”. Why do many citizens not cherish the past? “Sadly they are without education and taste. It’s all about business. We are striving as a country to move towards the west. But we are still not yet close from that standard,” he said. Soviet-era ways of thinking remained, with people hesitant to take personal responsibility for their urban environment, he added.

Therapy in Preservation

Some buildings are falling apart because of institutional abandonment. Chudna showed a once-magical villa hidden behind a modern hospital. Its roof had caved in; pigeons nested among its broken windows; rubbish lay under a whimsical tower. “Often we lose the battle,” she admitted. “Preservation work is a form of healing for us. We are attempting to save all this heritage and beauty.”

In the face of destruction and commercial interests, these volunteers continue their work, one door at a time, stating that to rebuild a city’s soul, you must first cherish its walls.