ADAPT. Designing urban spaces for veterans
Designing urban spaces for veterans. Urban and regional systems analysis to strengthen recovery pathways for veterans.
Location:
Ivano-Frankivsk and Ivano-Frankivsk region
Period:
2025-2026
Type:
Three-level spatial study. Rehabilitation site. Guidebook on adaptive and inclusive urban solutions
The purpose of the project
Наталія Макарук
Володимир Крижанівський Андрій Орлов
Олена Пітірімова
Юлія Попова
Вадим Денисенко
Микола Костриця
Анна Уварова
Марія Коробко
Євгенія Кулеба
Ігор Крицак
Юлія Брикульська
ADAPT is our response to a polycrisis where two urgent priorities intersect: urban recovery and veteran rehabilitation.
The project name derives from the principle of adaptation, emphasising a core idea: veterans returning from war should not be expected to adapt to existing urban environments — cities must adapt to them.
Ukraine has over 1.3 million registered combatants, and projections indicate that at least 10% of the country’s population will rely on veteran-related services after the war. Health-related challenges are already one of the primary reasons for discharge from military service.
In Ivano-Frankivsk and the surrounding region, we analyse the spatial context across local, urban, and regional scales to understand how the built environment and municipal systems can better support veterans. This approach strengthens recovery pathways while improving the inclusivity and accessibility of Ukrainian cities for a broader range of vulnerable groups.
Research Methods
Spatial Analysis
We conduct an integrated assessment of recovery systems for veterans and service members at three interconnected levels: the regional hospital campus, urban systems of Ivano-Frankivsk and the wider regional context.
In-depth Interviews & Surveys
We gather insights from groups directly involved in rehabilitation processes, including: veterans and their families, rehabilitation specialists, municipal staff, and other stakeholders.
Stakeholder Engagement
We map key stakeholders within the rehabilitation ecosystem to inform actionable recommendations and improve cross-sector coordination.
Expert consultations
We work on a regular basis with physicians and rehabilitation professionals who support veterans’ recovery not in theory, but directly on the ground. These experts represent the Ministry of Health’s Centers of Excellence — hubs of modern, inclusive, and barrier-free rehabilitation.
Spatial Analysis
We conduct an integrated assessment of recovery systems for veterans and service members at three interconnected levels: the regional hospital campus, urban systems of Ivano-Frankivsk and the wider regional context.
In-depth Interviews & Surveys
We gather insights from groups directly involved in rehabilitation processes, including: veterans and their families, rehabilitation specialists, municipal staff, and other stakeholders.
Stakeholder Engagement
We map key stakeholders within the rehabilitation ecosystem to inform actionable recommendations and improve cross-sector coordination.
Expert consultations
We work on a regular basis with physicians and rehabilitation professionals who support veterans’ recovery not in theory, but directly on the ground. These experts represent the Ministry of Health’s Centers of Excellence — hubs of modern, inclusive, and barrier-free rehabilitation.
Stages of the project
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Implemented partnership projects for the hromada's recovery
Future pilot projects
Project team
Наталія Макарук
Володимир Крижанівський Андрій Орлов
Олена Пітірімова
Юлія Попова
Вадим Денисенко
Микола Костриця
Анна Уварова
Марія Коробко
Євгенія Кулеба
Ігор Крицак
Юлія Брикульська
Founder
Oleksandr Shevchenko
Head of Research
Liva Dudareva
Designer
Margo Garyazha
Urban Economist
Oleksandr Nazarenko
Urban Planner
Anastasiia Popovych
Urban Planner
Daria Borovyk
COO
Marharyta Borysova
Urban Planner
Kateryna Bulatova
Urban Planner
Sashko Bielov
Project Manager
Olena Kotlyarenko
Communications & Copywriting
Dasha Hrishanova
Fundraising Project Manager
Anastasiia Mahera
Partners
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