Bridges for Ukraine: accelerating opportunities for reconstructing Ukraine
Join us for a panel exploring how innovative design and entrepreneurship can uplift Ukrainian citizens.
Bridges for Ukraine: accelerating opportunities for reconstructing Ukraine
09 Jun 2025, 15:00
What would regenerative design look like for rebuilding a post-conflict Ukraine? How can we harness emerging technologies and nature-based solutions to encourage refuge, healing and sustainable prosperity?
'Bridges for Ukraine' is a project by UCL Institute for Global Prosperity that highlights the key role of entrepreneurial partnerships in reconstructing a post-conflict Ukraine. The initiative promotes knowledge and skills exchange between thought leaders, emerging businesses and scalable financing mechanisms, with the shared goal of rebuilding a Ukraine that is fit for the challenges of our planet’s future.
As part of 'People Powered Prosperity' at the 2025 London Design Biennale, this one-hour panel discussion, led by Arthur Kay, will delve into the possibilities that emerge when innovative design uplifts Ukrainian citizens and through entrepreneurship that supports long-term social and environmental resilience over short-term return.
This panel talk forms part of a series of collaborative outputs for ‘Bridges for Ukraine’ that include a forthcoming White Paper, supported by the Ukrainian government, the UK Department for Business and Trade and other strategic partners.
Peter Harrington
Global International Development Leader
Arup
Peter Harrington is an economist and governance expert focused on infrastructure, inclusive growth and institution building. Over the past 16 years Peter has worked in over thirty countries and five continents, advising governments on growth, infrastructure, energy transition and reform. He has also advised banks, donors, foundations and private clients on developing and financing projects across Europe, Africa and Asia. Peter is an Associate Fellow at the Harvard Center for Public Leadership.
Dr Ehab Sayed
Founder and Chief Evolution Officer
Biohm
Ehab Sayed is a regenerative design engineer, strategic biomimic, built environment innovator and public speaker that strives to realise a biomimetic (nature-inspired) future that harmonises and realigns cultural and natural systems. He founded Biohm to develop nature-inspired biotechnologies aimed at decarbonising industries through scaling ground-breaking regenerative products and systems.
Arthur Kay
Director
Innovo
Arthur Kay is an entrepreneur, urban designer, and advisor building solutions for sustainable cities. He is the founder of Skyroom; The Key Worker Homes Fund; and Bio-bean. Arthur is an Honorary Associate Professor at UCL. He is a Board Member of the Museum of the Home; and Fast Forward 2030. He is co-author of the forthcoming book Roadkill: Unveiling the True Cost of Our Toxic Relationship with Cars (Wiley, 2025).
Justin Morey
Government Partnerships Lead
Building Design Partnership (BDP)
A Chartered Landscape Architect, Justin leads international urban projects focused on sustainable development and post-crisis recovery. With over 24 years of experience in master planning and public realm regeneration, Justin is currently engaged in major transformative initiatives globally, including transit-oriented development (TOD) opportunities with UKDfT in Lviv, Ukraine.
Nataliya Katser-Buchkovska
Co-founder
Ukrainian Sustainable Fund (UASIF)
Nataliya Katser-Buchkovska is an energy security, green transition, and infrastructure expert with 20 years of experience. She was a Member of Parliament of Ukraine (2014-2019), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Energy Security and Transition, Committee on Energy, and was a co-author of systemic economic and energy laws.
People Powered Prosperity
UCL Institute for Global Prosperity is participating at the London Design Biennale at Somerset House from 5-29 June with a pavilion titled 'People Powered Prosperity'.
People Powered Prosperity explores the multidimensional aspects of prosperity through a citizen science research approach, highlighting how people from different localities and backgrounds can be involved in co-designing innovative pathways to improved livelihoods, secure environments, democratic voice, healthy cities and climate resilient communities.
Our new approach of working directly with trained citizens to rethink prosperity with and for communities brings new forms of knowledge creation, innovative solutions and creative tools for businesses and policymakers to tackle today's most pressing issues with improved results; allowing citizens to power the transformations we need.
The pavilion is designed by Ab Rogers, a London-based designer known for unique projects that are rich with colour and energy, while providing functionality and subtlety in design.
About London Design Biennale
London Design Biennale returns to Somerset House from 5 - 29 June 2025 for its 5th edition. Featuring world-leading design, innovation, creativity and research by up to 50 exhibitors from across the globe, London Design Biennale showcases today’s designers and ideas that will change our world. The three-week international exhibition features curated installations accompanied by a programme of events, thought-leadership talks, performances and workshops. This year’s theme ‘Surface Reflections’ by Artistic Director Dr Samuel Ross MBE, explores how ideas are fuelled by both our internal experiences and external influences.
About UCL Institute for Global Prosperity
We are redesigning prosperity for the 21st century, changing the way we conceive and run our economies, and reworking our relationship with the planet. Our vision is to help build a prosperous, sustainable, global future, underpinned by the principles of fairness and justice, and allied to a realistic, long-term vision of humanity's place in the world. Find out more ►
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Cost
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All
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Yes