I asked Gemini about the situation regarding reconstruction of one of the cities destroyed in the Ukraine War. It replied that nothing has started yet except ideas about how to go about it. I believe it is a great opportunity to build sustainable ecological economic founded new cities rather than Soviet style ‘Steel Dream’ architecture industrialists prefer. Hopefully Vladimir Putin has some innovative and brilliant ecological economists and architects working together for an ideal plan of reconstruction.
I asked Gemini; is there an alternative ecological economic design with better aesthetics and ecosphere values?
Steel Dream” is a leading industry-driven proposal, alternative regenerative urban design models have emerged that prioritize ecosystem restoration and a “nature-positive” aesthetic. These approaches shift the focus from rapid steel construction to biogenic materials and circular economics.
Alternative Ecological Design Models
- Regenerative Urbanism: Instead of just “sustainable” (maintaining the status quo), regenerative designs aim to restore local ecosystems. For Bakhmut, this could involve creating “sponge city” infrastructure—using absorbent, nature-based materials to manage water and prevent flooding while reintroducing native biodiversity into urban corridors.
- Biogenic & Local Materials: Organizations like Bauhaus Earth and the Kharkiv School of Architecture advocate for using mass timber and compressed earth. These materials turn buildings into carbon sinks rather than carbon sources and often provide a more organic, “warmer” aesthetic compared to industrial steel.
- Kintsugi-Inspired Retrofitting: For buildings not entirely leveled, firms like Stantec propose a “kintsugi” philosophy—repairing damage with visible, high-quality materials (like “blue gem” glass rooms) to celebrate resilience rather than hiding the city’s history.
Ecological & Economic Values
Community-Led Design: The Lugano Principles for Ukraine’s recovery emphasize democratic participation, ensuring that the new Bakhmut reflects the cultural identity and social needs of its returning residents rather than being a “cookie-cutter” corporate project.
Circular Economy: A “circular” reconstruction would reuse the millions of tons of war debris—crushed concrete as foundation fill and recycled metal for new structures—to minimize the need for new raw materials.
Decentralized Energy: Alternatives emphasize energy independence through neighborhood-scale microgrids powered by solar and geothermal energy, reducing vulnerability to future attacks on central infrastructure.
<The Industry approach with Unsustainable Economics>…
The “Steel Dream” project, initiated by the Metinvest Group, is a comprehensive vision to rebuild Bakhmut’s Yuvileyniy district as a modern, sustainable urban center.
The concept focuses on several key design principles:
Comprehensive Planning: The proposal includes more than 13 types of steel buildings, including low-rise apartments, medical centers, and underground shelters.
Speed and Durability: Utilizing prefabricated steel frames to allow for rapid construction of residential and social infrastructure.
15-Minute City: Designing the layout so that all essential services—schools, clinics, and shops—are within a 15-minute walk for residents.
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