Beyond territory
Transforming the frontlines, defensive structures and battlefields of the Russo-Ukrainian War into a landscape of peace.
C.C. Chang (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
E.A.J. Luiten – Mentor (TU Delft - Landscape Architecture)
Marc Schoonderbeek – Mentor (TU Delft - Theory, Territories & Transitions)
Y.J. Cuperus – Graduation committee member (External organisation)
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Abstract
The Russo-Ukrainian War has had a profound impact on the land, people, society, and daily life in Ukraine, particularly in the frontline areas where battlefields and defensive structures stretch across the north to the south. As the war continues, this strip of land bears the scars of conflict, featuring devastated landscapes, abandoned agricultural fields, and an environment that feels insecure, sorrowful, and hopeless. This project seeks to explore the reimagination of war-torn territories and the concept of a neutral landscape, interpreting battlefields to create a meaningful and reflective space for remembrance and peace.
Situated at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Asia, Ukraine has long been a crucial border area. The research field focuses on identifying the landscape characteristics of the borderscape, examining the fragmented and traumatized landscape resulting from conflicts and defensive structures, in search of potential pathways to healing.
Inspired by case studies and precedents, the design proposes a neutral zone that aims to create experiential spaces that narrate the “stories of this border area.” The military artifacts are subtly transitioned, providing memorial spaces while restoring the natural ecosystem and agricultural activities. An elevated pathway gently weaves through these experiential sites along the entire 3,000 km stretch of land.
This project contributes to the broader discourse on the transformation of war landscapes by incorporating the significance of borderscapes with the restoration of the landscape. It offers a sense of comfort to individuals and society dealing with war trauma, serving as a reflection and reminder for the future.