Odesa's Resilience: New Challenges and Opportunities
A significant event titled «Odesa's Resilience: New Challenges and Opportunities» took place in the Odesa region.
This meeting gathered representatives from local government, scientists, and international experts. Notable attendees 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 Odesa being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Russian attacks continue to threaten cultural landmarks and infrastructure.
«Odesa remains a symbol of resilience. We are actively working on preserving our cultural heritage and restoring the city. Thanks to our collaboration with the Odesa State Academy of Construction and Architecture, we have a clear action plan and practical experience in restoring residential buildings and addressing the consequences of aggression,» noted Alexander Filatov.
As a port city, Odesa is becoming a source of practical knowledge in business resilience and civil security systems during wartime. We are not just responding to threats; we are creating solutions that save lives. From building shelters to effective emergency responses to attacks.
«Most importantly, we are not just adapting; we are shaping a new reality. Our models are attracting interest from Baltic countries and other European partners,» added Alexander Filatov.
International partners also expressed interest in Odesa's experience in rebuilding after hostile attacks.
European experts highlighted their willingness to share knowledge on managing UNESCO-protected sites and to support international aid for Odesa.
Anatoly Krov, rector of the Odesa State Academy of Construction and Architecture, emphasized the importance of academic community participation in international collaboration and researching the impact of Russian strikes on urban architecture.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants agreed to continue the dialogue and initiate joint projects focused on urban recovery, cultural heritage preservation, and fostering international partnerships.
The event was organized by the public organization «Volunteer Movement «Common Goal» in collaboration with Urban Buro.
