Designing and Building a Nordic Therapy Garden in Kyiv — to Help Mitigate the Mental Health Crisis in Ukraine
As Ukraine battles to defend itself, the world continues to be in awe at the resilience of the Ukrainian people. They relentlessly rise to the challenges they are presented with on a daily basis.
I am in Kyiv right now and I’ve been in Ukraine for more than 15 months since the start of the full invasion in February 2022. I am witness to the aforementioned resilience each and every day in the capital — and all the other cities around the country that I visit with my NGO Bikes4Ukraine.org and with my many other urbanism projects in the country.
This remains, however, a war-zone and war also leaves deep, invisible scars on people — civilians and soldiers alike. There is a public health crisis that is growing fast each and every day. Mental trauma and PTSD.
This country is well-aware of the issue but my research, however, shows that they are both under-equipped to deal with the seriousness of it and focused on the overwhelming military aspect of defeating the invading army.
Firstly, there are the civilians who are constantly bombarded by missiles and drones , or the people who are affected by the stress of worrying about loved ones who are either refugees in other countries or who are active in the war.
And then of course there are the men — and more than 50,000 women — in the armed forces. Many of them are deeply affected by their experiences — including the many who have been injured or lost a limb.
Everyone I speak to about it here in Ukraine understands instantly and intuitively the urgency of the issue. We are already seeing the consequences in various ways. For example, domestic abuse rates are rising fast — mental trauma affecting women and children.
A Nordic, Trauma-Informed Therapy Garden in Kyiv
I am designing a non-profit public Therapy Garden in the heart of Kyiv where people suffering from mental trauma can find solace in a nature-based, trauma-informed healing space — specifically designed for their needs.
This pilot project of designing and building a Nordic therapy garden in the heart of Kyiv — and the projects that will follow — will help individuals with trauma and PTSD — that’s the point — but it will also create dialogue about what these gardens can do and their role in the battle against this public health crisis. They will also serve to inform and inspire other cities and towns to consider making their own gardens.
A trauma-informed Therapy Garden is much more than a fertile, green urban space. It is a space that is meticulously designed and purposefully planned to to create an environment that can provide healing, comfort, and a sense of safety for those who have experienced psychological or emotional distress.
As far back as Roman times, the therapeutic value of gardens have been well-known. Vitruvius was clear about it in his “Ten Books of Architecture”, written in 50 CE. Nowadays, our scientific understanding of the benefits that green spaces contribute to mental health has accelerated over the past couple of decades. The jury is unanimous: gardens are medicine.
We are now equipped to take the design of trauma-informed gardens and parks to the next level, with the inclusion of an arsenal of multi-disciplinary approaches . There are many similar gardens around the world, which is a good thing. My research has shown that there remains a lack of focus on the specific needs of soldiers who have seen brutal, front-line action like the soldiers in Ukraine over the past two years. I hope to add to the knowledge base with my research into this detailed aspect of therapy gardens.
I have found an abandoned plot of land in Kyiv that has been walled off to the public since a building was torn down in 1985. Nature has been given carte blanche without human interaction for almost 40 years. It is a unique space in the heart of a densely-populated neighbourhood.
I am working on getting permission from the City of Kyiv to use the land for a therapy garden and together with a brilliant group of volunteers, we will do the hard work involved to make this space a healing garden.
This is a personal passion project for me and I wondered why I am so intensely focused on it. Then I realised… I suffer from anxiety disorder and am happy to talk about it but I simply can’t wait to get into this plot of land and start the physical labour of clearing the underbrush, designing the pathways and secluded zones. This project is quite literally mental therapy for me — until I hand it off to the public users of the space.
The work will be intense. A lot of clearing dead wood and underbrush is this completely overgrown space. Then, because of the historical nature of the neighbourhood, an archaeological survey will be done. Then I’ll send in university students to survey the biodiversity of this unique plot of land and their research will guide us in planning what to keep and what to trim.
Our gardens are NOT the ultimate solution — they are merely an integral part of the many things that need to be done. But this is an excellent step in the right direction.
This garden will be carefully planned to incorporate elements that promote relaxation, mindfulness, and sensory stimulation, such as calming colors, soft textures, and fragrant plants. Additionally, it will include secluded areas for solitude and reflection, as well as communal spaces for social interaction and support. The design and maintenance of a trauma-informed garden fosters a sense of control, empowerment, and emotional resilience for those seeking solace and restoration from traumatic experiences.
The design addresses the different levels of trauma that the users might have — from those with the worst struggles to those who need a lighter approach to healing. Different zones are implemented to accommodate the different needs. We’ll employ Nordic sustainable design and architecture, as well as landscaping that uses native species to strengthen biodiversity and boost the sensory experiences.
With everything that is happening the world right now, there are countless humans who could benefit from a therapy garden. I wish I could design them everywhere they are needed. But I am here in Kyiv right now and we have to start somewhere.
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