ANONYMOUS UKRAINIAN DESIGN: SPECIFICS OF FORMATION AND CHALLENGES OF THE POST-WAR RECONSTRUCTION

Abstract

The objects of urban vernacular culture, created through the knowledge and skills of local residents, are considered. They combine traditional (folk) technologies with locally embedded everyday practices within a specific architectural landscape. The issue of authorial anonymity is explored through the lens of postmodern studies, local subcultures, and theoretical concepts of the 1990s, as well as through approaches to the formation of semiotic and sign systems that articulate the visual representation of urban identity and address the challenges of post-war reconstruction in Ukraine. Purpose. To identify the peculiarities of the formation of anonymous Ukrainian design and to determine its role in the process of post-war reconstruction of urban spaces. Methodology. The study employs cultural-geographical and urban analysis, comparative examination of vernacular and professional practices, as well as interpretation of contemporary architectural projects and international exhibition cases. Results. It was found that anonymous design in Ukraine results from the self-organization of urban communities and reflects the democratization of the architectural environment. The names of the majority of the creators of such objects usually remain unknown. In the post-war period, it manifests itself in two forms: traditional (based on ethnic heritage and local building practices) and emergency (related to housing restoration in frontline regions). The analysis of examples of tactical urbanism, squatter initiatives, and creative hubs demonstrates that anonymous design becomes an instrument of cultural adaptation and social integration. It contributes to the formation of a new urban identity grounded in collective participation, the use of local materials, and flexible architectural logic. Scientific novelty. The phenomenon of anonymous design has been systematized as a key element of Ukrainian urbanism in the post-war reconstruction period. Practical relevance. The results may be applied in the development of strategies for the restoration of Ukrainian cities, the integration of vernacular practices into professional design, and the formation of sustainable architectural policy.