architectural students and representatives of the professional community regarding the future of Ukrainian cities

Yesterday, January 25, 2023, a dialogue was held between the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, the Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine – the Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov, the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Serhii Shkarlet with architectural students and representatives of the professional community regarding the future of Ukrainian cities, in particular their reconstruction taking into account comfort and accessibility for residents.
As part of the event, Olena Zelenska presented the Album bit.ly/3WGs9fG of barrier-free solutions.
The barrier-free solutions album is a practical guide that recommends and demonstrates with examples how urban environments can be friendly to different users.
“Imagine a person in a wheelchair who lives on the top floor of an ordinary five-story building. An air alarm sounds. In a few minutes, the first explosion is heard. Do you think this person can get to shelter quickly? Less mobile population groups now risk their lives more than others. Because even the path to salvation is dangerous for them. This war showed us how barrier-free is not a formality. This is a matter of survival,” said Olena Zelenska.
“Despite the wartime in Ukraine, we continue to create barrier-free spaces, in particular for educators and students of education. After all, regardless of age or special educational needs, every Ukrainian has the right to education. Education must be of high quality, safe and modern. I am grateful to the architectural students, professional community and colleagues for the apt questions raised during the dialogue regarding the restoration of infrastructure, educational institutions and the arrangement of shelters in each of them, as well as solidarity in the issue of barrier-free implementation. I am sure that in the future the restored Ukrainian infrastructure will not have any barriers,” said Serhiy Shkarlet.