This research paper delves into the intricate relationship between space, memory, and identity in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting how the built environment mirrors and shapes the nation’s ongoing reconciliation with its past. It examines how the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995 and its aftermath have shaped the country's spatial dynamics and collective identity. Once part of Yugoslavia, public spaces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, such as monuments, plazas, and convention centers, played an essential role in creating a collective identity within the ethnically diverse country. The dissolution of Yugoslavia and the Bosnian War led to significant changes in the spatial organization of the region, with various ethnic groups reappropriating urban spaces to assert their dominance and identity. This reappropriation involves the destruction and reconstruction of buildings, monuments, and public spaces to reflect new power dynamics and social hierarchies.

This ongoing process of spatial reconfiguration continues to influence the social and political landscape of Bosnia and Herzegovina today. Through reappropriation, neglect, and even weaponization of built environments, spaces that once represented unity now contribute to today’s contested identity. Nearly three decades later, these urban spaces remain imbued with memories, acting as silent witnesses to the nation’s historical trauma, with lingering echoes of the conflict manifesting through a multitude of reminders scattered across the built environment. These reminders take various forms and scales, serving as silent witnesses to the scars carried in public spaces. This research paper highlights the role of the built environments in reflecting and shaping collective memory, identity, and resilience in the aftermath of war. By examining public spaces, such as monuments and street signs, this study underscores how conflicting narratives are reflected within them. It illustrates that the built environment not only reflects but also influences the nation’s ongoing struggle with its past.

Ongoing conflict leaves many of Ukraine’s small towns destroyed, abandoned, or seized. With an uncertain future, Ukraine remains optimistic and ready to rebuild. Much of the reconstruction efforts are focused on larger cities such as Kharkiv and Kyiv with international support from renowned practitioners in architecture and planning. However, Ukraine relies heavily on smaller towns for agricultural production and manufacturing, emphasizing the need for reconstruction in these areas. This paper summarizes research on Ukraine’s intertwined history with the Soviet Union, investigates Soviet-based planning and infrastructure, and examines the impacts of war on culture and the built environment. Further examination focuses on Zolochiv, a small town forty kilometers from Kharkiv’s city center and twenty-five kilometers from the Russian border, inviting discussion around how resilience planning and architectural interventions could rebuild Ukraine. This paper also documents the challenges faced and pressing concerns identified from discussions with stakeholders in partnership with the Kyiv School of Economics, imagining a new environment reflecting identities and community aspirations. Design research investigates an interplay between cultural heritage and resilient development, proposing new strategies across five sites to foster wellness, healing, and placemaking for long-term social cohesion and growth. In summary, this paper highlights architectural and planning responses for the post-conflict recovery of Ukraine, reimagining Zolochiv’s future.

Urban green spaces play a critical role in shaping mental health, offering environments that can either restore well-being or exacerbate stress. However, access to these restorative benefits often reflects deeper socio-economic patterns, raising questions about equity and inclusion. This study investigates how visitor perceptions of urban parks—gathered through Google reviews—differ between neighborhoods with varying degrees of gentrification. Examining this data alongside the socio-economic trajectories of neighborhoods in mid-sized cities like Greenville, Spartanburg, and Charlotte aims to inform urban planning and policy-making strategies that prioritize equitable access to restorative green spaces, ultimately ensuring that parks benefit all community members.

The stakes of this inquiry are significant. As cities grow and invest in public green spaces, disparities in access and perceptions of safety, usability, and comfort can emerge and perpetuate social inequities. This study situates itself at the intersection of urban design, public health, and social justice, asking: How do perceptions of parks as restorative or pathogenic align with neighborhood socioeconomic profiles, particularly in areas experiencing gentrification compared to historically marginalized neighborhoods?

By analyzing user-generated reviews, this paper uncovers recurring themes related to greenery, safety, accessibility, and community-oriented design. These findings are then juxtaposed with neighborhood-level data to reveal patterns of preference. Readers will learn how urban greening efforts may unintentionally contribute to social stratification and strategies for designing parks that prioritize inclusivity and shared well-being. Ultimately, this research highlights the need to reimagine green spaces as equitable resources, ensuring their benefits are accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status or neighborhood context.