Kyiv City Council session: Will it be possible to save the Literary Square and its vicinity from development? (Updated)
On March 21, the deputies of the Kyiv City Council may once again put at risk the territory near the Literary Square for development. The community has repeatedly demanded not to allow the developer to build houses here, neither in the square nor nearby, and has even picketed the Kyiv City Council.
Several years ago, letters demanding to save the square were written to the mayor, including by Ada Rohovtseva, Ivan Malkovych, and the late Ivan Dziuba.
The fate of this square has been postponed several times by the capital’s deputies this year. And finally, there is a draft decision on the agenda, but it will only protect the square from development. Consequently, the territory near the square, where Sosyura, Vyshnia, Tychyna, Honchar, Rylsky, and other writers lived, is intended to be left to the developer against the will of the community, who is associated with the “Fatherland” party.
Photo: Olena Makarenko. Protest action against illegal construction near the Kyiv City Council.
This square, formerly known as Chkalov, was decommunized last year and renamed Literary not by chance.
Photo: Ukrinform
Doctor of Historical Sciences and writer Maryna Hrymich recounts what happened here in the past century.
How did the literary community live?
Maryna Hrymich
Doctor of Historical Sciences and writer
In this little square, the Ukrainian literary process of the 20th century boiled, brewed, simmered, and fried. Imagine over 300 apartments and one and a half times more literary families... It was a unique communicative system, so to speak, a literary neighborhood community and unofficial literary networking. Writers and their families lived together, socialized with each other, and at the same time, were sometimes at odds, supported each other in the difficult moments of Stalinist repression, betrayed each other, sang songs together, and almost came to blows over disagreements. They created when the Muse came to them and indulged in revelry when she left. Sometimes they visited neighbors, and sometimes they didn't even greet each other when they bumped into each other in the stairwell.
Therefore, it is quite natural that the initiative of Kyiv residents who demanded to protect the square was supported by well-known writers and cultural figures.
The thing is, the territory of the square cannot be developed because it is part of the protected landscape zone of the architectural monument “Lapinsky’s Estates,” located opposite the square.
Photo: Ukrinform. Lapinsky’s Estates
But the historical value is not only in the square but also in the locality where these writers lived.
Twenty years ago, the Institute of Geology of the NAS decided to exchange its wing with workshops here for a small plot in a new development and entered into a joint venture agreement with the developer “Kyivmiskbud-1”. At that time, the issue essentially boiled down to just 140 square meters.
However, the project could not be realized. Due to the economic crisis, construction work stopped, and then another developer appeared – “Dilayvest”. It is associated with the “Fatherland” party, as one of the co-owners was the current deputy of the Kyiv City Council from this political force, Bohdana Tymoshchuk. There is also a connection here with the sponsor of the “Fatherland” party, developer Vlada Molchanova (“Stolitsa Group”), as reported by “Nashi Groshi”. It is she who appears in one of the “ponyatky” about the development of Kyiv. The public initiative “Golka” has already written about the attempt by the “Stolitsa Group” to develop the Osokorky Ecopark. Thus, the influence of the “Fatherland” party on attempts to develop land in Kyiv is quite significant.
The developer “Dilayvest” later subleased two more adjacent plots near the Institute, which were leased to LLC MZH “Obolon”, known for its scandalous development close to the “Holosiivsky Park”. And this made it possible for the developer to plan its project on a much larger area.
According to the project documentation, a high-rise building is planned to be built here. And the territory where construction is planned includes both the plot of the Institute of Geology and part of the Literary Square. This can be seen on the map visualized by “Nashi Groshi”.
Photo: Nashi Groshi
The construction fence, which encroached on part of the square, was erected by “Dilayvest” in 2017. Local residents protested and rallied to protect this area.
The decision that the Kyiv City Council may support on Thursday, March 21, involves separating part of the land leased by the developer, which encroaches on the square. However, this does not solve the entire problem. This is emphasized by activist Vitaliy Cherniavskyi, who has been defending the Literary Square for many years.
Will this solve the problem?
Vitaliy Cherniavskyi,
activist, who has been defending the Literary Square for many years.
The developer thinks that Kyiv residents will be satisfied if he gives away a piece of land encroaching on the square area. But this won't solve the problem. The project they plan to implement here is not supported by the residents. It will completely ruin the atmosphere created by the Literary Square and the monuments surrounding it.
Photo: Object Passport
The building of the Geological Institute is a monument of architecture and history, known as the “House of the Kyiv Technical Society.” The land designated for the construction of a high-rise building is within the protective zones of this monument, so new construction here is prohibited. This was noted in the expert conclusion by Olena Oliynyk, Vice President of the National Union of Architects of Ukraine.
What should happen with the construction?
Olena Oliinyk
Vice President of the National Union of Architects of Ukraine.
Any works carried out on the territory and within the protective zone of this landmark that are not directly related to its maintenance or restoration are illegal. Construction must be immediately halted, and the territory of the architectural landmark should be restored to its authentic appearance in accordance with the requirements of the heritage conservation legislation.
The scientist also emphasizes that any work on the territory of the landmark must be preceded by permission from the relevant cultural heritage protection authority and coordination with it on the scientific and project documentation. The developer does not have this permit. Previously, in connection with this, the Ministry of Culture issued an order to stop work; however, the developer challenged this in court.
Is there approval from the Ministry of Culture?
Natalia Voietseshchuk
Chief of the Permitting Documentation Department at the Ministry of Culture
In August 2005, under the signature of the Chairman of the State Service for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, M.M. Kucheruk, the historical and architectural justification and the project of the object "Office Center at 55-b O. Honchar Street in the Shevchenkivskyi District of Kyiv" (ordered by the Institute of Geological Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine) were approved. As of today, there is no information in the electronic document circulation database of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine regarding the approval of project documentation and the issuance of permits for earthworks for the construction of a multifunctional complex at the specified address.
Additionally, the construction could lead to damage to neighboring buildings. Such incidents have occurred in the past when construction work began on these plots. This is reported by Raisa Talalai, a writer, member of the Writers’ Union of Ukraine, and resident of one of the neighboring buildings.
What could be the consequences of construction work?
Raisa Talalai
writer, a member of the Writers' Union of Ukraine and a resident of one of the neighboring buildings.
Throughout the year, construction machinery operated on the premises of the Institute of Geology, pouring concrete for the foundation. Subsequently, walls in neighboring buildings began to deteriorate. In our building, "Ukrainian Writer," a massive crack formed between two entrances.
Due to active public resistance in 2020, the Kyiv City Council promised not to renew the lease agreement with the developer. At that time, the land commission voted in favor of this decision on the second attempt but did so one day later than the deadline set by the legislation. Subsequently, the developer challenged this decision in court and argued that in such a case, the agreement is renewed by “implicit consent.”
This is despite the fact that the developer did not fulfill the lease agreement terms and did not use the plot for its intended purpose. This is evidenced by the absence of issued urban planning conditions and restrictions.
Kyiv residents are gathering for the Kyiv City Council session, and activist Vitaliy Cherniavskyi emphasizes that they will monitor the roll-call vote of the deputies.
How are the active Kyiv residents tuned?
Vitaliy Cherniavskyi
activist, who has been defending the Literary Square for many years
We will fight as much as necessary because this is our home. We live here. For the developer, this is just another commercial project, the profitability of which is based on the destruction of Kyiv's cultural heritage. The developer thinks that by buying media coverage and politicians' loyalty, they will be able to build another high-rise in the historical center of Kyiv, but they will not succeed. The sooner the developer realizes this, the more resources they will save. The deputies of the Kyiv City Council have a representative mandate and must fulfill our will.
(Доповнено)
After the publication, the Secretary of the Kyiv City Council, Volodymyr Bondarenko, announced that the issue will not be considered at the session.
What is the position of the Kyiv City Council?
Volodymyr Bondarenko
Secretary of the Kyiv City Council
This matter will not be considered. Next to the square, we have two land users. Both of them must give part of the land to the square. After this, we need to consolidate the complex of land plots first near the Literary Square, transferring it to Kyivzelenbud. This way we will protect the square.
The community emphasizes that Kyivans do not want to see skyscrapers either in the square or near the square.
Especially for “Left Bank“.
