About the forum

Modern cities are a living mosaic where diverse needs and identities constantly intertwine. Today, as we rethink the value of security, mutual support, and our common home, it is critically important to create spaces that do not divide but instead provide a solid foundation for recovery.

We are convinced: space is much more than just buildings or technical calculations. Architecture should not be a hollow physical shell or a monument to someone's ambitions. It gains meaning only when it serves people, brings them together, and becomes a tangible reflection of our ability to hear one another, reach agreements, and live together.

This year, we will seek inspiration and answers to the most compelling challenges: how can we transform architecture into a manifesto of community values? How can we plan spaces so they act as magnets for people rather than dividers? And how can we make the community the primary measure of all changes — from a small courtyard to an entire city?

Three days of visionary lectures, deep dives into real-world spatial projects, and a dynamic exchange of experience with top Ukrainian and international experts await you.

‍We invite:

Lviv Urban Forum will be held on June 28-30 and will bring together practitioners who daily make decisions on how our communities will look like:
‍
-mayors and chief city architects
-urban planners
-government officials and other city professionals
-students and teachers, specialized in urban studies

The pre-registration is now open - please fill out the application and get information on how to participate in the forum. The number of places is limited.

Program

day 01

30 june

9:00 – Registration opens

9:00–14:00 – Workshops and urban explorations (registration will open one week before the event)

16:00–16:30 – Forum opening

16:30–19:00 – Lectures in the courtyard of the Lviv City Hall

19:00–20:00 – Networking

day 02

1 juLY

08:00 – Registration opens at !FESTrepublic

9:00–10:30 – Presentation of the "Lviv North" project

10:30–11:00 – Coffee break

11:00–12:00 – Lecture: "The Community as a Measure"

12:00–12:40 – Lecture: "Urban Planning"

12:40–13:40 – Lunch

13:40–15:00 – Lecture: "Landscapes of Shared Life"

15:00–15:45 – Panel discussion: "Shared Movement: How Mobility Shapes Community Spaces"

15:30–16:00 – Coffee break

16:00–17:00 – Lectures on housing beyond walls

17:00–18:20 – Evening lectures

18:30–19:00 – Networking

day 03

2 juLY

08:00 – Registration opens at !FESTrepublic

9:00–9:40 – Parallel sessions: Community branding and projects presentation

9:40–11:00 – Lectures: "Creating Communities at Different Levels"

11:00–11:30 – Coffee break

11:30–13:00 – Parallel sessions: Architectural language of communities & Supporting the development of the construction sector

13:00–14:00 – Lunch

14:00–15:00 – Parallel sessions: Architecture of memory and sacred spaces & Presentation of the book Protest Beyond the Plaza

15:00–16:00 – Parallel sessions: Spaces of care & Bringing the light

16:00–16:30 – Coffee break

16:30–18:00 – Primary community spaces: Educational architecture, participation, and local research

18:00–18:40 – Evening lectures before closing
‍

Forum Speakers 2026

Urs Thomann

Swiss architect and urban planning expert with over 20 years of experience working in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Co-founder of the CAN urban bureau, leader of spatial development projects, and advisor on sustainable urbanism for numerous Ukrainian cities. He specializes in spatial development strategies, integrated planning, and urban environment transformation. At the event, Urs will share international expertise and actionable approaches to modern urban reconstruction and development.

Katrin Gügler

She heads the Urban Planning Department of Zurich. She manages the transformation and integrated spatial development of the Swiss city. At the event, she will present cutting-edge European practices in sustainable urbanism.

Kees Christiaanse

Internationally renowned Dutch architect, urbanist, and founder of the global firm KCAP. He specializes in large-scale master planning, industrial area revitalization, and integrated urban development. At the event, he will share global expertise in creating sustainable and adaptive urban spaces.

Patrick Meijers

Dutch architect and co-founder of the international architectural firm Orange Architects. Expert in conceptual design, sustainable construction, and the creation of mixed-use urban spaces. At the event, he will present innovative European approaches to modern architecture and urbanism.

Markus Penell

German architect and partner at the international firm O&O Baukunst. Expert in large-scale urban design, revitalization of iconic locations, and creation of modern public architecture. At the event, he will present European expertise in integrating new developments into complex urban contexts.

Lukas Schweingruber

Swiss landscape architect and co-founder of the renowned international firm Studio Vulkan. He specializes in spatial design, public space transformation, and the harmonious integration of nature into urban environments. At the event, he will share leading expertise in creating resilient landscapes and adapting cities to climate change.

Apply for participation

Participation in the forum is available via paid registration or free of charge. Your contribution helps cover organizational costs and coffee breaks during the event. It is non-refundable; however, if you are unable to attend, please contact us at support@lvivurbanforum.org, and we can update the name on the registration.

To fulfill our mission and share knowledge with representatives of Ukrainian communities, we offer free participation options. We invite chief city and regional architects, as well as architects serving in the military, to apply. Selection will be based on application forms.

FOR FREE

• Relevant for chief city architects interested in transforming communities into comfortable living environments.

If you are a service member or a veteran, please contact us at support@lvivurbanforum.org

APPLY

students

1100 UAH*

• *Pricing policy:
1100 UAH until June 27,
1400 UAH starting June 28.

• Relevant for students of architecture, urban planning, cultural studies, sociology, design, and other related fields with a valid student card.

Participate

INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION

2200 UAH*

• *Pricing policy:
2200 UAH until June 27,
2600 UAH starting June 28.

• Relevant for architects, urban planning professionals, and anyone interested in transforming cities into livable environments.

Participate

TEAM REGISTRATION

5100 UAH*

• *Pricing policy for teams of 4:
5100 UAH until June 27,
5700 UAH starting June 28.

• Relevant for architects and urban planning specialists, and everyone who is interested in transforming cities into a comfortable living environment.

Participate

EXCURSIONS AND WORKSHOPS

You can choose only ONE excursion or workshop.
Please note! Only forum participants are eligible to register.

‍EXCURSIONS
1. Unbroken: Архітектура зцілення
2. 3D-школа: Інновації у відбудові інфраструктури
3. Природоорієнтовані рішення міста з Олександрою Сладковою
4. Замарстинівський парк: Парк громади з Оксаною Луцько
5. Вулиці для людей: Досвід Інституту просторового розвитку
6. Ландшафти пам'яті: Марсове поле та Пагорб Слави (екскурсію проводить Жолоб)
7. Дбайлива реставрація: Деталі, що творять місто, з Бюро Спадщини
8. Lem Station з Віталієм Квичем: Ревіталізація промислової спадщини
9. Стрийський парк з Павлом Гудімовим: Мистецтво як магніт для громади
10. Міська Стрільниця з Михайлом Солуком: Нове життя історичних об'єктів
11. Кастелівка з Тетяною Казанцевою: Межі приватного та спільного
12. Спортивний майданчик на Йосипа Сліпого: проєкт, що гуртує громаду
13. Архітектура в стані невизначеності: екскурсія виставкою року у Харківській школі архітектури

14. Презентація фінальних проєктів програми Basic Urbanism студентів Urban Reform School!
‍
‍
WORKSHOPS
1. Майстерня міських архітекторів з Карстеном Полссоном
2. Applying the Kryvyi Rih Method in Practice
3. Performative Streetscapes: Читання вулиці
4. Тактична екологія: Створення міської луки
5. Від планування до втілення: Фінанси та інвестиції для громад
6. Зелена інтервенція: Велоекскурсія та плент-бомбінг
7. Міська флора: Від дослідження до ціанотипії
8. Місто чужими очима: Емпатія у просторі
9. Матеріали майбутнього: Лабораторія біопластику
10. Мистецтво архітектурних конкурсів з Губертом Траммером
11. Урбан-спільнота: як нам краще працювати разом?
‍12. Creating health trails (health paths): planning, design, and community benefits

Organizers

Event organizers: Department of Architecture and Spatial Development, European Youth Capital Office
of the Lviv City Council, UNBROKEN University,
and the NGO "PRO LVIV".

The general partners are the development company MARVEL and concrete production experts TONNY.
The title partner is the real estate developer WELL BUD.

The forum is supported by the United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine, funded by the Government of Sweden and the European Union.

The partner of the Lviv Urban Forum is the "Integrated Urban Recovery in Ukraine (JGURA)" project, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), as well as FELICITY II, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with the European Investment Bank and supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection under the International Climate Initiative (IKI). If you are (potentially) negatively affected by an IKI project or wish to report the misuse of IKI funds, you can lodge a complaint through the Independent Complaint Mechanism (ICM) of the IKI.

Additionally, LUF is supported by Alterra Group, Nova Oselya, Ukrainian Urban Platform, DOM Publishers,
and other organizations.

Media partners: misto.media, Algorytm Diy,
Urban Vision Lutsk, DMNTR, Urban Reform,
Urban Library, Dyvys.info, and LUN.

3

50

1200

day 01

30 june

day 02

1 juLY

day 03

2 juLY

Apply for participation

FOR FREE

students

1100 UAH*

INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION

2200 UAH*

TEAM REGISTRATION

5100 UAH*