What is Urban Hack
Urban Hack is a participatory planning format with the goal of creating better, more sustainable living environments through inclusive collaboration. Urban Hack is a participatory planning methodology, but also a tool for raising awareness on spatial issues and creating democratic decision-making. Its process brings together diverse stakeholders — architects, planners, activists, officials, developers, and local residents — who, over the course of an intensive, fast-paced 2-3 day event, work side by side to analyze urban challenges, co-create solutions, and develop visionary yet practical proposals. While the outcomes are non-binding (key strength of the format), they often inspire new initiatives, foster collaboration, and lay the groundwork for real spatial change.
UREHERIT Project
Urban Hack is a part of UREHERIT project.
“UREHERIT: Architects for heritage in Ukraine. Recreating identity and memory” is a project co-funded by the European Union under a dedicated call for proposals to support Ukrainian displaced people and the Ukrainian Cultural and Creative Sectors. The project is a cooperation between the consortium of 11 organizations: Architects Association of Lithuania (LT), Architects Sweden (SE), Federal Chamber of Architects and Chartered Engineers BKZT (AT), Royal Danish Academy, The Institute of Technology and Architecture IBT (DK), Romanian Order of Architects OAR (RO), The National Council of Architects, Planners, Landscapers and Conservationists CNAPPC (IT), Federal Chamber of German Architects BAK (DE), Estonian Association of Architects (EE), The National Union of Architects of Ukraine (UA), Ro3kvit: Urban Coalition for Ukraine (UA), Kharkiv School of Architecture (UA) with the Architects’ Council of Europe (EU) as associated partner.
GRP-EACEA-CREA-2023-COOP-UA-EXT
The project addresses the topics of evaluation, preservation, and restoration of the urban and architectural heritage in Ukraine during and after the war, treating it as a resource for sustainable cultural, social, environmental, and economic recovery. Interdisciplinary teams of Ukrainian and European heritage specialists, architects, planners, engineers, other professionals, officers of local authorities and communities of Ukrainian cities in various forms - professional workshops, seminars, public events, research etc. - share their knowledge and experience to build competence on the heritage protection, regeneration of culturally meaningful plans and projects and empowering of local communities as a tool for building the new, democratic and sustainable Ukraine with a unique yet European cultural DNA.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author (s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Event structure
Pre-event
Site visit
Involvement according to individual ability, with team leads, participants, local experts and anyone interested
Day 1
Morning:
- Opening words from moderator, local experts and authorities
(Public part)
- Meeting team leads and groupmates
Afternoon:
- Team work
Evening:
- Small presentations
- Dinner and informal discussions
Day 2
Morning:
- Continuation of group work
Afternoon:
- Finalising presentations
Evening:
- Presentations and reflection session
(Public part)
After event
- The results are given to local municipality for future development and implementation
- Established partnerships continue
Team Leads
For our event we invite team leads with rich and diverse experience in architecture, urban planning, and community initiatives - socially engaged, collaborative, and guided by democratic values people, who bring knoweledge and creativity.
Urban Hack 1. Zhytomyr
Ülar Mark
Former chief architect of Narva,
Chairman of the Estonian Centre of Architecture,
Co-founder of Urban Mark Architects
Lembit-Kaur Stöör
Architect, Several Architecture
competitions winner
Marjo van Schaik
Researcher, strategic director and designer in Netherlands and Ukraine
Marianna Kuzemska
Head of the Urban Department at Cedos think tank,
Lecturer in the Cultural Studies program at the Ukrainian Catholic University
Daryna Pasuta
Urban Planner of the Ro3kvit Urban Coalition
Urban Hack 2. Zhytomyr
Karin Bachmann
Landscape architect, Projects curator, Partner at Kino Landscape architects
Inna Dobrovolska
Architect, Urban Planner, Strategist, Researcher
Siim Tanel Tõnisson
Co-founder of Studio TÄNA,
Vice President of Estonian Association of Architects,
Tutor at Estonian Academy of Arts
Daryna Pasuta
Urban Planner of the Ro3kvit Urban Coalition
Ra Martin Puhkan
Co-founder of Studio TÄNA,
Tutor at Estonian Academy of Arts
Urban Hack 3. Kalush
Anna Pashynska
Co-founder and curator of the urban laboratory METALAB;
affordable housing project CO-HATY.
Rebecca Pütsep
Landscape architect
Urban space designer
Kaspar Tammist
Organizer of the Opinion Festival, Community activist, Entrepreneur
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Varvara Yagnysheva
Architect,
Researcher in Urban Curators and METALAB
Liina Soosaar
Architect,
Architecture Competition Coordinator at the Estonian Association of Architects
Urban Hack 4. Lviv
Paco Ulman
Urban planner at Tallinn City Council, Architect, Exhibition curator
Oleksandr Anisimov
Researcher in spatial planning at Aalto University and Kharkiv School of Architecture, Orhaniser of symposium
Martynas Marozas
Urban designer and planner,
City Development moderator
Elina Liiva
Architect,
Curator of the Estonian Pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennale 2025,
Researcher at Estonian Academy of Arts
Ruslan Antonenko
Architect, Urbanist at Ro3kvit
Urban Hack 1
Zhytomyr 28. - 29.09.2024
Experts from Estonia, Ukraine, and the Netherlands examined the social and architectural significance of the "Kosmos" cinema, which until 2006 hosted film screenings, discos, and events. Workgroups developed proposals to redesign the building and surrounding area as a modern, accessible public space that meets residents' needs, fosters social cohesion, and improves safety. The cinema, it was agreed, has the potential to become a hub for cultural and social initiatives that support the city's and community's post-war recovery.
The proposed solutions emphasized the need for quality, free public spaces, aligning with the Estonian "Good Public Space" program, where improvements in public space quality have increased the surrounding area’s value and property prices. Suggestions included repurposing the cinema as an arts and learning center, formatted like a modern library. Multifunctional shelters were also discussed, offering various activities during emergencies.
Urban Hack 2
Zhytomyr 04. - 05.10.2024
The second forum focused on the unique natural site of Sokolovski Quarry in Zhytomyr's outskirts. Participants analyzed the needs and interests of different visitor groups, from locals and tourists to divers. Working groups explored the possibility of developing safe infrastructure that caters to diverse users while preserving the area’s natural beauty. Ideas ranged from modest step-by-step solutions to islands and floating pathways. Floating saunas were also part of the dream!
The ideas from the five discussion groups will be consolidated and presented to Zhytomyr's city administration for future action.
Gallery
Urban Hacks 1 & 2
Photograph: Andriy Tkachenko
Urban Hack 3
Kalush 01. - 03.05.2025
The Kalush Urban Hack focused on the former kindergarten building in the New Kalushi microdistrict, where the municipality will create a residence for displaced Ukrainians. The Urban Hack sought ideas and solutions for the renovation of the outdoor area of the future residential building and the vision of the surrounding residential area in the context of the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
The focus was on three scales, focusing on a former kindergarten and its grounds (1.3 ha), the surrounding neighborhood, as well as the general housing situation in Kalush. The former kindergarden building will be turned into housing for Internally Displaced People (IDP). The Hack resulted in a joint vision and recommendations for action for Kalush.
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Urban Hack 4
Lviv 14. - 15.05.2025
Urban Hack Lviv focuses on the topic of “Holistic Renovation of Modernist Housing” and will have a closer look at a microdistrict in Sykhiv district in Lviv. The microdistrict is located between Chervonoi Kalyna Avenue and Oleksandra Dovzhenko Street.
Holistic Renovation of Modernist Housing aims to meet contemporary standards of comfort, energy efficiency, safety, and social use, while respecting and preserving their architectural integrity. It involves looking beyond just superficial fixes and considering the building as a whole: its design, structure, systems, and its role in the community. This topic is also a research project lead by Architects Association Lithuania in collaboration with Kharkiv School of Architecture that is investigating roadblocks regarding renovation and hoping to offer a toolbox of solutions.
In the neighborhood in focus (https://maps.app.goo.gl/jH31c4X6Bcp6zxMx9) are a lot of challenges specific to the area that are quite common in typical soviet mass produced housing areas.
We believe that if residents, municipal officials, and interdisciplinary teams are involved in modeling the renovation of a modernist mass construction neighborhoods, it is possible to create a realistic foundation for a municipal program to upgrade outdated housing. The hackathon will serve as a lab for developing a first draft framework adaptable to different funding sources and various levels of intervention.
The Urban Hack had 5 teams that had a look at the renovation process challenges from different angles, next to visual ideas. All teams are dealing with one umbrella task of renovation challenges, but every team can choose a more specific viewpoint. We can view the issues from the perspective of the residents, homeowners association, local municipality, financial means and partnerships with donors. With this Hack we aim to empower everyone to take control over their own environment and think outside the box of restrictions and can’t do’s.
17 Urban Hacks - Urban Forums held in Estonia
The Urban Forums, organized by the Estonian Architecture Centre, have been held 17 times in different parts of Estonia since 2009, following a well-established format. They are two-day events, somewhat similar to hackathons. The focus of the discussion is always on a specific area of space and/or problem, and a goal is set, which the discussion wants to reach.
The Urban Forums consist of two public sessions (held at the beginning and end) and two sessions with invited participants. In the public part at the beginning of the forum, the format of which has traditionally been a one-day conference, the topic is opened from different perspectives. Then the activity continues in working groups, to which experts from various fields are invited. Each working group has its own moderator and a slightly different task. In addition to the moderator, the working groups are also assisted by professionals who help to formalize the ideas of the discussions into presentations illustrated with diagrams, pictures and plans, which are presented in the public closing session summarizing the Urban Forum.
List of Urban Forums that took place in Estonia:
2022 – Tallinn - Old Town City Forum "The Old Town's New Opportunity"
2022 – Viljandi City Forum "Our Dream Lakeside"
2021 – Uue-Raadi City Forum
2020 – Tallinn - Bastion Zone City Forum
2018 – Tallinn - New Old Port – A Good Shared Space
2017 – Tallinn - City Heart City Forum – What Kind of City Heart Do We Want?
2017 – Tallinn - Open Seafront City Forum: New Old Port.
2016 – Tallinn - Toome Sea Main Street Area
2015 – Tallinn - Tallinn Main Street
2010 – Pärnu - Pärnu City Center – Integrated Development
2010 – Tartu - University of Tartu in Tartu City
2010 – Rakvere - What is Public Space in a Small Town?
2010 – Tallinn - Fish Shore and Tallinn City Center
2010 – Tallinn - North Field / South Field
2010 – Tallinn - From Kadriorg to Maarjamäe
2010 – Harju County - Developments in Viimsi and Haabneeme Villages
2009 – Narva - Borders in Narva
