Tag Archives: Ukraine

“Hydrograds” built by the former Soviet Union

  Following last week’s post on American Hydrograds, this blogpost explores the “Hydrograds“ built by the former Soviet Union. Hydrograds are cities and towns constructed specifically to house workers building the hydroelectric project, as well as the support staff to … Continue reading

Posted in archaeology, cities, culture, energy, Europe, geography, historic preservation, history, infrastructure, land use, pictures, place names, placemaking, planning, rivers/watersheds, Russia, spatial design, technology, urban planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Atomic “doomtowns” that once surrounded Chernobyl

The Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster occurred on April 26, 1986, when reactor #4 exploded. Before being brought under control weeks later, extreme levels of radiation had spread outward from the nuclear plant by both wind and rain. This inundated communities all … Continue reading

Posted in atomic age, cities, environment, Europe, film, geography, history, humanity, Maps, movies, pollution, Russia, Statistics, topography, Uncategorized, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Soviet-era “Atomgrads,” part 2 – Nuclear Energy Cities

http:// Part 2 of this series on Soviet-era “Atomgrads” focuses on those that were developed to build, service, and support nuclear power plants in the Soviet Union. Of the 12 cities listed and mapped, all but one remain active communities … Continue reading

Posted in archaeology, architecture, Asia, atomic age, business, cities, culture, economic development, energy, environment, Europe, geography, government, health, historic preservation, history, Housing, infrastructure, land use, Maps, military, place names, placemaking, planning, pollution, Russia, Science, spatial design, Statistics, technology, toponymy, Travel, urban planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A heartbreaking image from Ukraine

It is said that pictures can tell a 1,000 words. The photograph of this bewildered bicyclist above from Ukraine does that and much more – it depicts what should be the joy of cycling set against a backdrop of death, … Continue reading

Posted in Active transportation, Advocacy, art, bicycling, Biking, civics, civility, Communications, culture, diversity, environment, Europe, film, geography, Guns, history, human rights, humanity, inclusiveness, Love, military, music, peace, pictures, politics, video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Odessa” – where dreams and nightmares collide

When I purchased the Kindle e-book Odessa, Genius and Death in a City of Dreams,  I was excited to learn more about the Russian and Ukrainian history pertaining to this famous seaport founded by Catherine the Great. Never did I ever … Continue reading

Posted in adaptive reuse, architecture, art, Asia, book reviews, books, cities, civics, civility, commerce, culture, diversity, economic development, Economy, Europe, geography, globalization, government, historic preservation, history, humanity, immigration, inclusiveness, infrastructure, land use, literature, logistics, Maps, military, placemaking, planning, politics, Religion, spatial design, Statistics, tourism, Trade, transportation, Travel, urban planning, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment