Business has also joined the work on the revival of Mariupol, in particular, Rinat Akhmetov, who initiated the Mariupol.Reborn project together with local authorities.
The initiative started with the creation of a project office, for which the first 1.5 million dollars were allocated. This office developed a phased strategy for the revival of Mariupol, which envisages the complete restoration of the city by the end of 2024. International partners have already joined the project: USAID, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank. Four European cities have also expressed their willingness to contribute to the revival of the city –- Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw and Utrecht.
The project does not impose a solution – the residents of Mariupol themselves are involved in it. Their opinion is taken into account when forming the urban concept, architectural appearance and planning solutions. Ideas are collected, analyzed and adapted taking into account the best global practices. The ultimate goal is to create a modern, sustainable and livable coastal city. The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation also plays a significant role in this transformation, supporting humanitarian and social projects aimed at helping the city’s residents and defenders.
The path to restoring metallurgy
Before the start of the full-scale war, the metallurgical giants Azovstal and Ilyich Iron and Steel Works accounted for 40% of national steel production and 90% of the Metinvest Group’s output. These were not just factories – they became growth points for the region’s economy, providing jobs for tens of thousands of Mariupol residents.
Rinat Akhmetov not only expressed his intention to bring these enterprises back to life, but also focused on the implementation of modern production standards. It is expected that after restoration, the plants will become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Restoration will begin with a technical assessment of the destruction and the development of a clear reindustrialization plan.
Recognition in the international arena
The Mariupol.Reborn project became part of the exposition of the French pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale. The architectural coalition Ro3kvit presented a unified concept of the city of the future, based on the principles of human-centeredness, sustainable development and respect for Ukrainian cultural identity.
The design was carried out by four architectural teams: Ro3kvit, Big City Lab, Zotov&Co and Mriya. They conducted extensive research, and each decision was discussed with the Mariupol
community. This is not just a restoration project – it is an attempt to rethink the city, based on the experience of loss and hope for the future.
During the years of full-scale war, Rinat Akhmetov transferred 11.3 billion Ukrainian hryvnias for the needs of defense, assistance and restoration of Ukraine. These funds cover both humanitarian programs and military support, medical initiatives, housing and rehabilitation. And the Mariupol. Reborn project is not just a restoration of the city, but a statement of the idea that Mariupol has a future.
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