Bikes4Ukraine - my Danish non-profit - is the reason I first came to Ukraine in June 2022. We source used bikes in Europe and deliver them our growing network of NGOs in Ukraine. In over 35 cities and towns these used bikes are used to deliver food, water, humanitarian aid and medicine to the most vulnerable citizens in the most devasted areas. More on the official website and here is our crowdfunding website.

TORV Kyiv is the world’s largest tactical urbanism project—built in the heart of Kyiv during a full-scale war. Over 11,000 m² of dead asphalt transformed into a vibrant public space with benches, trees, art, play, and shade. No public money. Just urgency, design, and over 1,000 volunteers. It’s not just a square—it’s a prototype for a better city.

Read more here

Hope takes root in the ruins.

In the heart of Kyiv’s historic Podil district, on a forgotten plot left vacant since the Soviets demolished a building in 1985, something extraordinary is growing: a community garden for local citizens.

Podil Urban Farm opened in Spring 2025.

READ MORE HERE

READ MORE HERE

Together with 1000 volunteers and generous sponsors I designed and built the first Nordic Therapy Garden to heal mental trauma and PTSD in Ukraine. Using Evidenoe-Based Health Design in Landscape Architecture and Nature-based Healing, the garden opened in June 2024..

With Coolville Design Lab, we finished the Cycling Strategy for the City of Mykolaiv in Sept 2023, after being asked by the Mayor to use the opportunity the war presents to initiate positive urban change.

A long journey but now we are ready to implement the infrastructure and start the ball rolling.

The first book about post-war reconstruction in Europe in the 21st Century is a collaboration with 31 experts in urbanism and architecture - designed to inspire Ukrainian cities and towns to make the right choices as they redesign, rethink and rebuild.

Out in October 2023. Link to the Ukrainian website.

The art of temporary urbanism is relatively unknown in Ukraine so sometimes you do things because you can - and because you simply can’t stop yourself. Fixing a parklet, building outdoor ping pong tables, printing CNC furniture for public spaces, you name it. Keeping busy. Making things better. Instagram: DIY.KYIV

My global tv series about urbanism The Life-Sized City is shown in over 30 countries but not Ukraine so I have regular screenings of the episodes from the four seasons at Kino 42 in Podil.

THE LIFE-SIZED CITY

Mikael curated this collective art exhibition at the DIY Ukraine space in Podil, Kyiv. March-April 2025

More info

Having worked with kids in urbanism workshops around the world, it is great to bring the workshops to Ukraine. Starting with a weekend event with local kids in the Podil neighbourhood and moving on to school classes of 9-10 year olds. Tapping into their logical brilliance and encouraging them to redesign the streets of their city for the better.

The vibe in Ukraine is driven by positive change and opportunity. I collaborate with many cultural stakeholders and curate projects that have a strong cross-cultural reach in order to promote Ukrainian designers and artists in Europe and beyond.

With so many homes destroyed by Russian aggression, I am exploring a new typology of home that is cheap, fast to build and permanent, using both sustainable and traditional architecture. A model that can be easily implemented across the country.