ETH with Ukraine—Exchanging Knowledge for a Sustainable and Resilient Future
Dates: 24.01-05.02.2024
Location: ETH HG Main Hall, Rämistrasse 101, 8006 Zürich
Program and description: https://uasaz.org/blog/announcement-eth-with-ukraineexchanging-knowledge-for-a-sustainable-and-resilient-future
The exhibition, ETH with Ukraine—Exchanging Knowledge for a Sustainable and Resilient Future, stands as a milestone presentation, marking the inaugural showcase of collaborative projects developed by members of the Swiss Network with Ukraine. These projects are the result of close collaboration with Ukrainian network members based in Switzerland and partner organisations within Ukraine. The exhibition provides direct and first-hand insight into the past, present, and future of reconstruction in Ukraine, as well as its underlying networks of support in the rest of Europe.
The Swiss Network with Ukraine was initiated at ETH Zürich in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. It operates as a dynamic forum of individuals and organisations hosted by ETH Zürich and supported by the Department of Architecture (D-ARCH) and the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geomatics Engineering (D-BAUG). The network aims to link the immediate distress of Ukraine’s war realities with prospects of reconstruction in a spirit of solidarity, sustainability and democracy. With a deliberate emphasis on a decentralised reconstruction effort, the network integrates both short-term relief measures and long-term developmental strategies on local and global scales.
ETH with Ukraine serves as the first major manifestation of these collaborative initiatives, delineating the interdisciplinary and transnational projects that are fuelling ongoing and future reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. Organised around seven thematic clusters mirroring the organisational structure of the Swiss Network with Ukraine, the exhibition encompasses Mapping Ukraine, Refurbishment and Material Supply, IBA Ukraine, Housing and Spatial Planning, Agriculture and Energy, Capacity Building and Education, and the Ukrainian Community and Culture Platform.
Each thematic cluster within the exhibition serves as a curated repository for multimedia presentations, integrating text, drawings, models, videos, interactive installations, and building components. These presentations offer comprehensive insight, encompassing documentation and mapping of wartime destruction and the provision of spatial information. They showcase the impactful work of grassroots initiatives operating in Ukraine and present alternative modes of supplying building materials for wartime rebuilding. Additionally, the exhibition sheds light on scientific research, planning, and organisational frameworks shaping postwar recovery and reconstruction visions for Ukraine.
The exhibition transcends its role as a mere showcase; it emerges as a catalysing force, fostering the identification of synergies, exploring avenues for multiplying positive impacts, and provoking discussions on how academic institutions can complement the work of NGOs, companies, and national and international institutions to respond effectively to the challenges posed by massive destruction. Ultimately, ETH with Ukraine is a testament to the power of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and collective determination in shaping Ukraine’s sustainable and resilient future.
In addition to the stationary exhibits, there is an intense program with film screenings, lectures and coffee lectures open to everyone and free of charge.
We look forward to seeing many of you at the exhibition!