Reconstruction of Uspenska Square in Dnipro, Ukraine by Architectural Team of Dmytro Volyk and Ksenia Donetska

Uspenska Square in Dnipro is one of the oldest squares in the city of one million people.

Designed in the early 19th century, it was an important infrastructure element and the heart of public interactions. Now, it is part of a global system of planning elements located in the historic center. In the 19th century, the square was home to the majestic Assumption Cathedral with a public garden, and it was a significant attraction point for townspeople.

During the Soviet era, the cathedral lost its traditional function and architecture, and the space around it also stagnated. The square ceased to be a part of public life and instead turned into a transit area with no meaning, that people passed by without pausing. Before the reconstruction, its planning structure and functionality did not meet the current needs for a safe and inclusive pedestrian space. Therefore, the architects’ task was to revive the square as part of the city’s pedestrian framework, to make it more humanistic and qualitative in terms of social interactions.

On the territory of 1.45 hectares, we organized relevant pedestrian connections, planted 285 new trees, created new options for leisure and interaction between people and the city, taking into account the needs of different social groups. In terms of transportation, we prioritized pedestrians and bicycles, redistributed traffic flows, and organized parking. A two-way bicycle lane was arranged along the road. Pedestrian crossings on the roadway elements were created on the same level as the sidewalk. The necessary areas were paved with tactile tiles for people with visual impairments.

The existing historical logic was used to form the updated planning structure of the square. Each type of pedestrian connection was emphasized with a separate type of paving, and at night, pedestrian directions are additionally highlighted with light-colored paving.

The grid of pedestrian connections formed sections of functional zones, such as a play area with playgrounds, an intimate area of relaxation with islands of ornamental trees, and a festival zone with a three-level terrace, a fountain, and a free space for events.

The first to open to visitors is an active play area with a three-dimensional rope platform, artificial concrete terrain and climbing ramps. The square adds rich red colors to the area, which contrasts nicely with the green of the square. It is intended for children from three years of age. There are hammocks, a spatial grid, a slide, and an arched tunnel…

The entire site is paved with a rubber surface, and in the areas of a possible fall, the surface is additionally softened. The white concrete hills also serve as a climbing wall.

In the center of the square there is a cascading winding terrace – a dominant space-creating form made of granite. With a length of 72 meters and a height of about three, it highlights the central part of the square, forming a space for events.

Each of the three levels is equipped with seats made of durable and strong wood-polymer composite.

The function of the terrace is for viewing and relaxing: sitting on any of the three levels, you can view the entire square and watch the events that will take place here.

There is a laconic fountain in front of the terrace. Turned off in the cold seasons, in the spring it will open with a mirror of water with vertical jets up to three meters high. Together with the fountain, the terrace is the epicenter of the square and all future events.

The other side of the square is more private, with a lace of walking paths between islands of decorative trees.

285 new trees of valuable ornamental species were planted on the square. Among them are relict ginkgo biloba, magnolia, sakura, Pissardi plum, red oaks, Scandinavian mountain ash, ambergris, and multi-stemmed hornbeams. Due to the careful selection of trees, the square will have a significant amount of shade in summer. In spring, the trees will bloom one after another for a long period, and in autumn, they will impress with an amazing palette of foliage and bark.

The architects developed many original design elements, namely trunk gratings, a parametric fence, public restrooms decorated with steel scales.

In the evening, the square takes on a different atmosphere due to architectural lighting. Thanks to unique custom lenses, the luminaires on the poles create the effect of light caustics and a lace of natural shadows from the crowns. In the recreation areas, the lighting is located below eye level for comfort.

And the most greened part of the square turns into a magical forest in the evening, with its crowns dynamically manifested with light of different shades. The brightness, colors and dynamics of the lighting are adjusted to create the most comfortable atmosphere and emphasize the aesthetic component of the space. And for holidays or special events, the lighting symbolically changes colors. All the luminaires on the square are custom-made specifically for the project.

• Other credits:
General contractor AKAM LLC
Architectural lighting Expolight