A novel educational model for architectural heritage preservation in Ukraine: Digital tools amidst wartime challenges

The architectural heritage of every nation is a foundation of its historical and cultural significance, demanding urgent digital documentation and preservation, particularly in the times of crisis. (1) Ukraine's architectural heritage, despite its challenging history, has gained its standing as an invaluable part of global heritage. With approximately 15,000 architectural and urban monuments under threat due to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, immediate measures for their protection and restoration are needed. (2) This article highlights the role of advanced technologies such as digital documentation, remote sensing, and 3D modelling in training restoration architects, emphasizing their importance in safeguarding at-risk heritage. Case studies from the newly established program ‘Restoration of Architectural Objects’ at the Odesa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture showcase the application of modern restoration methodologies to valuable architectural objects, focusing on their surfaces and structural elements (3) The curriculum follows a three-phase approach: research and damage assessment, digital modelling and analysis, and preservation planning. This structured methodology equips students with theoretical and practical skills to tackle contemporary restoration challenges. (4) By leveraging innovative technologies for remote investigation and damage assessment, including photogrammetry and laser scanning, this evolving Ukrainian model of architectural restoration ensures heritage preservation while responding to threats posed by modern warfare. Our study underscores the necessity of continuous monitoring, documentation, and digital sustainability to protect Ukraine’s irreplaceable cultural heritage for future generations, and proposes key characteristics of a novel educational model shaped by current technological and geopolitical challenges.