Babyn Yar, redevelopment of a Historical and Memorial Area

Project type : Masterplan

Status : Competition, Prize winner

Year : 2016

Location : Kyiv, Ukraine

“History is about “truth”, whereas memory is about “faithfulness”, to what ought to be remembered, what can be forgotten, what might be forgiven” - Paul Ricoeur

The area of Babyn Yar is a place of complex historical events, primarily the site of the historical ravines and a place for massive massacres. Although nowadays it undoubtedly has a profound historical meaning, it is more a combination of the scattered stories and signs, but not the unified space that holds a strong message for its users.
Although the area is mostly known by its historical narrative, the topography of space is the main feature that made it exceptional and probable for these historical events to happen.
The main concept of the proposition lies in the understanding of the existing landscape features, interpreted and expressed by the means of landscape design and natural elements. Topography, that is rich, becomes stronger, relating it to the historical events.
Since the areas hold different landscape features and different historical messages, they are expressed in three different ways by natural elements : The Stone, The Flower, The Water
Stones remind of a history, that has always been there and will always belong to the area. Flower field emphasizes the peaceful emptiness and the new hope. Water gives an impression of the constant change.