The story of the transformation of an urban space in Chernihiv, where the community created an ecological oasis with its own hands.
Imagine a huge concrete desert in the middle of a city. No trees, no benches, no shade — only grey slabs that heat up in the sun so much that in summer it is impossible to walk on them. That is exactly what Studentska Square in Chernihiv was like until 2024. Located next to the old former “Peremoha” cinema, it was a reminder of the times when spaces were designed not for people but rather against them.
But over two years this place has transformed beyond recognition. Now the leaves of oaks and plane trees rustle here, ryegrass and lavender bloom, and on the information stands you can learn why it is important to leave the grass unmown. Studentska Square has become a living example of how ecological thinking changes not only the landscape but the city itself.
The beginning: when the community said “enough”
The initiative to change Studentska Square did not arise by chance. The NGO “Eco Misto” had long been working on the theme of sustainable development in Chernihiv, and it was this location that became a symbol of everything that needed to be changed. The absence of greenery, overheating in the heat, complete unsuitability for comfortable time-spending — all of this made the square a dead zone in the city centre.
In 2024 a project of systemic transformation was launched. The “Chernihiv Polytechnic” National University acted as a partner — its students became not just observers but genuine participants in the process. Financial support was provided by the Prague Civil Society Centre and the Ukrainian Climate Network, and the local company Valtech joined as a local partner.
But the real heart of the project was the people. Volunteers from Repair Together, INBUT, Chernihiv Events and BUR Chernihiv joined the work. Activists came from other cities and even from abroad. Students, pensioners, young families — everyone who cares about the fate of their city took up the work.
Dismantling the old world
The first task proved the hardest physically: more than 150 concrete slabs had to be removed. Each weighed dozens of kilograms, and removing them required not only strength but also care — the slabs had to be taken out intact to be used later, and at the same time the base had to be prepared for a new layer of fertile soil.
The volunteers worked for whole days. Some wielded crowbars and pickaxes, some carried away the rubble, some prepared the soil for planting. It was a genuine joint effort — with no division into “organisers” and “executors”. Everyone who came became part of the team.
When the last slab was finally removed, the earth was revealed to everyone — dry, trampled, but alive. It was from this that the new space was to grow.
A garden that breathes with the city
The next stage was greening. The team planted nine trees — oaks and plane trees, which over time will create a real green canopy over the square. These species were chosen for a reason: they are resilient to urban conditions, long-lived and able to give the dense shade that was so lacking before.
But trees are only the foundation. The real magic was created by perennials. About a hundred shrubs and more than two hundred plants formed a “Garden of Continuous Bloom” covering 500 square metres. This is not an ordinary flowerbed with petunias, planted every spring and thrown out in autumn. It is a living ecosystem that works all year round. The plants are selected to support one another: some retain moisture, others repel pests, still others attract pollinators.
And yes, bees, bumblebees and butterflies really did appear here. This is not just a pleasant detail — it is an indicator that the ecosystem has started working. The square stopped being dead concrete and became part of a living city.
Water, mulch and the wisdom of nature
One of the biggest problems of urban plantings is the lack of water in summer. The traditional approach — watering with a hose — is not only costly but also ineffective: the water quickly evaporates before it can penetrate deep into the soil.
On Studentska Square a different approach was used. A drip-irrigation system with bags that slowly release moisture directly to the roots was installed throughout the area. This makes it possible to save water and support the plants even in the heat.
The second secret ingredient is mulch. A thick layer of organic material covers the soil around the plants, retaining moisture, preventing it from drying out and gradually enriching the earth with nutrients. This is an old practice that modern urbanists are rediscovering.
Another important detail: the grass is deliberately not mown. To many this looks unusual — the stereotype persists that a “well-kept” city means a “trimmed lawn”. But in fact tall wildflower grass is home to insects, birds and small animals. It is natural biodiversity that makes urban space truly alive.
Education in the open air
The Studentska Square project is not only about planting trees. It is also a powerful educational platform. Over two years, more than 20 workshops and 10 lectures on urbanism, ecology and climate change were held here. More than 300 people took part in them.
The topics were varied. Architecture students learned to design public spaces, eco-activists shared their experience, and residents simply came to find out how they could make their city better.
Importantly, the learning took place directly at the site of the transformation. People did not just listen to lectures — they took part in creating the space. Some brought their own plants from home, some helped install benches, some drew sketches of future recreation zones.
Such a model of involvement forms something more than just a beautiful park. It forms a community that feels the space is its own and is ready to care for it.
When the city becomes cooler
Before the project began, Studentska Square was truly hell in summer. It is a classic example of an “urban heat island”, where built-up areas become much hotter than natural landscapes.
Greenery changes this situation. Trees create shade, plants evaporate moisture, cooling the air. The soil absorbs rainwater instead of immediately discharging it into the sewer. All of this together creates a local microclimate that makes being on the square more comfortable.
This is not just theory. Local residents noticed the changes in the very first summer after the planting. Now you can sit here in the shade, feel the light breeze rustling in the leaves and see greenery instead of grey concrete.
The green transformation is not only about ecology. It is also about social change. Studentska Square has become a place where people come not because they “have to”, but because they want to.
Challenges along the way
Of course, not everything went smoothly. Dismantling the concrete proved much more complicated than planned. The logistics of materials — from soil to plants — required constant coordination. Not all residents immediately understood the project’s concept: some were indignant at the unmown wildflower grass, considering it neglect.
The team had to explain a lot. To talk with people, give tours, put up information stands. Gradually the culture of perceiving urban greening began to change. People understood that beauty is not only a trimmed lawn but also a living ecosystem.
Money and support
Funding for the project was provided by the Prague Civil Society Centre and the Ukrainian Climate Network. But the team decided to involve the community itself as well. On the “City Workshop” platform they launched crowdfunding, raising 30,000 hryvnias to buy perennials for the “Garden of Continuous Bloom”.
This money made it possible to buy quality planting material, create a drip-irrigation system and set up information infrastructure. But most importantly — it showed that people are ready to invest in change if they see a real result.
What next?
Today the green zone occupies about 500 square metres, but this is only the beginning. Every year the trees will grow, the garden will gain strength, and the square will become ever cosier.
The “Eco Misto” team plans to gradually expand the boundaries of the transformation, involving new sections of the area. There are ideas to create rain gardens, install additional street-furniture elements and organise regular educational events.
But the most important thing is the experience the community gained. Now Chernihiv has a concrete example that change is possible. That there is no need to wait “until someone up above does something”. That you can take a shovel, plants and friends — and create a new city right here and now.