From a discussion amongst Ukrainian participants on May 7, 2009:
AZ: When I returned to Kyiv, I wanted to warn architects/builders about gentrification.
SB: They [Berliners/Germans] are fighting all this power/money from a much more comfortable, stable position than us. Their economy, legal system is in place; their urban space is humanistic, heterogeneous. “All in all, to any Kyivan, it[Berlin]’s paradise.”
LB: I disagree, I missed Kyiv.
LN: After returning from Leipzig, Ukraine woke me up, as if I had fallen asleep.
AZ: Rhythm of life, people on the streets, here is better for me.
LN: Maybe a person needs to live in not-so-comfortable conditions. When everything is so good…
AZ: No, it’s us who think that for them it’s better, but they don’t agree.
SB: Their projects about urban gentrification, super imbau, fear. Those are the kinds of problems they are searching for.
LN: There’s not enough that just hits them in the face.
