Creating «Teple misto platform»: how NGOS form Ivano-Frankivsk urban space

Abstract

Purpose of the article. The article is devoted to the important topic: the impact of NGOs on the creating of urban space. We focused on the case of the Charity Organization Teple Misto Platform (which means “Warm City”) in Ivano-Frankivsk. This city is one of the province Ukrainian one where live about 200 000 people. However, with the help of initiative people who united around NGOs it became a progressive pleasant for investment city with creative projects and remarkable possibilities for the citizens. Methodologically, the study is based on Actor Network Theory the process of forming the urban space was investigate as the result of interaction different actors including NGO. From the point of view that every city has his own logic of development, “Teple Misto Platform” became an important element in the network, which form Ivano-Frankivsk urban space. The actor-network theory urges us to observe the principle of symmetry and consider the influence of different actors equally. Academic originality. The role of the non-government organizations in Ukrainian city has not traced correctly according to the real level of their influence. Many authors mixed the political parties and NGOs ignoring their differences and main points. However last searching (for example, by Zagoriy Foundation) showed the increasing role of NGOs in the Ukrainian society. Conclusions. During the research, we observed how important it is to have a common platform that acts as a ground and support for other, smaller initiatives. It is shown how from the activities of a few activists a force grows that is able to influence the formation of the development strategy of the entire city. This case and experience could be use with other cities from all over the world.