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Sobornosti Street Development Strategy

Sobornosti Street Development Strategy

Project Year(s)

2015

Location

Ukraine, Kyiv region, Petropavlivska Borschagivka village

Project Type

Streetscapes & Plazas

Size

917 hectares

Client / Owner

NovaBudova

Support

Petropavlivska Borshchahivka Village Council

Partners & Collaborators

Bureau of initiative architecture GA

Status

Vision

Objective

To create a long-term development strategy for Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, the wealthiest village in Ukraine, balancing rapid suburban growth with the need to preserve local identity.

Challenge

The village is under pressure from Kyiv’s urban expansion: agriculture is disappearing, population is set to grow from 6,500 to 30,000, and unplanned mid- and high-rise developments threaten to erase the village’s character. Poor pedestrian infrastructure, transit truck traffic, and fragmented land use further undermine livability.

Solution

The strategy introduces a polycentric vision with balanced density, new service hubs, and a strong village center — Dignity Square. A green-blue corridor along the Nyvka River and the lake anchors recreational infrastructure, while a new mobility plan redistributes traffic and prioritizes pedestrian movement. Together, these measures aim to transform the village into a compact town that retains its uniqueness, supports local economy, and provides high-quality living conditions.

The Wealthiest Village in Ukraine

Petropavlivska Borshchahivka is located on the eastern edge of Kyiv and has a rich history. The village is home to around 6,500 residents, most of whom live in low-rise single-family houses with private gardens. However, agriculture is gradually disappearing from Petropavlivska Borshchahivka as mid- and high-rise residential neighborhoods are rapidly being developed, and the population continues to grow steadily. Along the Ring Road, on the village side, there is a zone of supermarkets, businesses, warehouses, and hotels that form the backbone of the local economy.

Preserve and Enhance the Village’s Uniqueness

Kyiv has grown right up to the village and is beginning to absorb it. How can the village preserve its uniqueness and avoid dissolving into the fabric of the metropolis? The village needs to tell its story to visitors. To achieve this, we propose creating a unified system of navigation, signage, and wayfinding that introduces the village, outlines rules of conduct, and highlights recreational and service infrastructure. The primary goal of this system is to make movement and orientation within the village convenient and efficient while also promoting local businesses. With such simple measures, the local economy can benefit significantly. We are ready to take on this task and develop a high-quality navigation system.

Creating Favorable Conditions for Living and Working in the Village

As mentioned earlier, the village owes its economic prosperity to its advantageous location along the Ring Road and near the exit from Peremohy Avenue. Supermarkets, businesses, offices, and representative centers line the village frontage, while numerous residential neighborhoods are being built within the village itself. Residents benefit from convenient access to Kyiv, where most of them work. In essence, the village combines rural quality of life with urban comfort and excellent connectivity. The main goal of this strategy is to explore opportunities for creating even more favorable conditions for both living and working in the village.

Identify, Strengthen, and Develop the Village’s Potentials

The development of the village strategy began with thorough research. We analyzed the principles of functional zoning and identified the characteristics and potentials of its different areas. Broadly speaking, the village consists of four main parts: business and industrial zones, the old village, the new village, and agricultural land.

Proximity to Kyiv has led to the inclusion of modern high-rise development within each of these areas. Special attention should be given to the Nyvka River, which flows through the village, and together with the Lake forms a valuable green-blue corridor.

Functional Zoning

A Balanced Choice of Development Density in the Context of Kyiv’s Suburbia

We also analyzed the main housing typologies found in the village. Petropavlivska Borshchahivka is undergoing irreversible urbanization due to its proximity to Kyiv. Under these conditions, it is crucial to deliberately choose the right density strategy based on comparative characteristics. To address this, we developed alternative development models on plots of equal size and calculated key technical and economic indicators. Detached housing and low-rise development would quickly exhaust the village’s available land resources and prevent further growth within its current boundaries.

Detached and Low-Rise Development

The Village Should Evolve into a Compact Town

Our recommendations address the need to preserve the village’s compactness within its existing boundaries while also avoiding the loss of rural uniqueness through uncontrolled high-rise development. The right solution lies somewhere in between — maintaining local identity while preventing absorption by the metropolis. To be clear, Petropavlivska Borshchahivka will soon transform into a small town, and its development should reflect this reality. We recommend critically revisiting the village’s master plan in terms of density, population, and functions, and we are ready to assist in this process.

Mid- and High-Rise Development

Balanced Development Across All Village Areas

It is important to note that new mid- and high-rise residential districts are currently under construction in the village. Agriculture is disappearing, and soon former orchards and fields will be replaced by cottage settlements. The population is growing rapidly and already faces a shortage of local jobs, quality recreational facilities, and retail services. In the near future, the village will be home to around 30,000 residents. Therefore, developing the necessary infrastructure must be approached in a way that benefits all stakeholders.

Identification of Village Areas

Creating Service Centers in Different Parts of the Village

We propose establishing service hubs within walking distance across various parts of the village to ensure balanced development. This will not only significantly improve the quality of life for residents but also benefit all stakeholders in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka. As an example, we developed a concept for the redevelopment of the existing village center.

Polycentricity

The Main Street as a Catalyst for the Village’s Economic Growth

By analyzing the core potentials of the territory, we identified strategic directions and tasks for each section of the street. Here are the key development priorities for the six fragments included in the strategy:

Business & Industry — emphasize the business function
New Residential District — connect the neighborhood with the recreational infrastructure of the Nyvka River
Green-Blue Corridor — enhance recreational potential along the Nyvka River and the lake
Village Center — develop a hub for leisure and services
Old Village — improve pedestrian infrastructure
Square — strengthen the administrative and service core

Developing detailed design projects for each section of the street, based on these strategic directions, can form the second stage of cooperation between the village administration and our team.

Identification of the Village’s Main Street

A European Village Center

Today, the village center includes a church, a children’s creativity center, several shops, cafés, a maple alley, a World War II memorial, public transport stops, and individual housing. In the near future, with the construction of new residential districts and cottage neighborhoods, the population will grow from 6,500 to 30,000 people. It is clear that a new village center with developed leisure and service infrastructure will be in high demand among new residents. For the local economy, it is crucial to create conditions that encourage people to stay in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka to live, work, and spend their free time, rather than commuting to Kyiv.

Marking the Village Center

Dignity Square

Imagine a new, comfortable village center where you can relax in a cozy café, open a bank account, send a letter to your grandmother, buy groceries, sit in the shade of maple trees, enjoy a fountain, work productively in an office during the day, and return home in the evening. A place easily accessible by public transport and a true landmark of the village.

Now let’s build it!

A New Square for the People of Petropavlivka

Unexpected Investment Opportunities

At present, the village center has formed at the intersection of major streets with heavy traffic. Service infrastructure consists of grocery and household shops, a cafeteria, and a tailor’s studio. These facilities are housed in three single-story buildings of questionable quality. In front of them, a maple alley with benches has been planted, and the space is actively used by residents for rest and while waiting for public transport. The geometric center of the village is marked by a World War II memorial, isolated on all sides by roads. This small island also hosts a minibus stop.

Phasing of the Village Center Development

A New, Worthy Village Center

We propose creating a new center that matches the status of the wealthiest village in Ukraine. While studying the village on a summer Friday evening and observing how people spend their time, we noticed a lack of leisure and service infrastructure both in the new residential districts and in areas of individual housing. That is why we propose building a square where people can relax, gather, live, and work.

On the plots currently occupied by low-quality commercial structures, a new frontage of low-rise buildings should be developed to shape the square. Ground floors can host a bank branch, post office, café, restaurant, and shops, while upper floors accommodate housing and offices. The mix of different functions will ensure activity and safety throughout the day and across seasons.

We are confident that Dignity Square will become a popular destination for residents of Petropavlivska Borshchahivka and its visitors, while also meeting the expectations of investors.

Phasing of the Village Center Formation

Festivities on the New Square

We confidently state that in 2025, once traffic from the main street is evenly distributed across the entire village road network and Petropavlivska Borshchahivka gains two additional connections to the Ring Road, it will be possible to improve the traffic scheme in the village center and integrate the small island with the World War II memorial into the central square.

That same year, the village will gain a true square, which will host two fairs and celebrations for Independence Day, Village Day, and Christmas. In autumn, the annual OctoberFest will take place here, uniting the entire community and welcoming new residents to their homes. The village head and chief architect will enjoy the strongest support from a satisfied community, while the investor will be ceremoniously awarded the diploma of “Most Responsible Developer of the Year.”

Public Space, Housing, Offices, Retail, and Services — All for the People’s Enjoyment

Redistribute Traffic, Unload the Main Street, and Create Three Connections to the Ring Road

Currently, the village’s main street carries both transit and local traffic, with a significant share made up of heavy trucks. This situation is extremely damaging to the local economy and creates unsafe and uncomfortable conditions along the central street.

We propose banning transit truck movement through the main street, as the local budget gains no benefit from it but is forced to spend resources on repairing damaged roads. In addition, heavy vehicles generate high levels of noise and pollution, disturb residents, and obstruct pedestrian and cycling mobility.

Our strategy is to connect the village directly to the Ring Road, complete the missing road sections, establish a clear hierarchy of streets by function, and evenly distribute traffic across the entire road network. The emergence of traffic in previously underused areas will also stimulate new infrastructure and contribute to the local economy’s growth.

Developing Pedestrian Infrastructure to Stimulate Economic Growth

We propose creating a continuous pedestrian network throughout the village, including sidewalks, crossings and safety islands, and green elements such as trees, shrubs, lawns, and flowerbeds. At present, walking along the village streets is unsafe, making it essential to separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

A well-developed pedestrian infrastructure will connect different parts of the village and allow residents to move freely on foot. Walking is a pleasant and globally recognized attraction. People will meet on the streets, greet one another, and interact — strengthening the sense of community. Constant pedestrian presence will also foster the growth of pedestrian-oriented businesses and contribute to the village’s economic vitality.

Investments in Recreational Infrastructure

Special attention should be given to developing the green-blue recreational corridor along the banks of the Nyvka River and the Lake. With a future population of 30,000, residents must have access to quality leisure opportunities. We are aware that a detailed planning scheme for this area has been developed; however, we are convinced that the economic feasibility of the proposed program and the phasing of its implementation must be critically revised and clarified. We are ready to assist in this process.

Only under such conditions will the plan become realistic, attractive for investors, and beneficial for the community. At the same time, we believe that several tactical steps can already be implemented to enhance the user qualities of this territory: