Odessa, with over one million inhabitants, it is one of the most prominent cities of the Ukraine. Directly located at the north west coast of the Black Sea it is the main administrative, cultural and trade centre of the Odessa Oblast and has been a multiethnic city since its formation. Odessa has 18 universities and higher education centres, with an emphasis on science. This booklet presents the outcomes of a research-based seminar, where students observed, mapped, cri- tically evaluated and visualized various layers of the city Odessa – a modern post-socialist city – in its socio-cultural, political, economic, and environmental context.

Large Settlements from the 1960s and 70s pose both more qualities and problems than apparent on first eyesight. The political and economic system, the state socialism, had a huge impact on the appearance, their structure and urban and spatial qualities. Cheryomushki is the biggest of the large housing estates in Odessa, located in the south-west of the city. Housing is the dominant function which is well supported with a dense network of schools and kindergardens throughout the entire district. Although this area could be attractive to live in, it faces significant problems, the lack of environmental comfort and visual appeal are significant fostering the already bad image of the district. This booklet presents the results of a seminar, where students observed, mapped, critically evaluated and visualized various aspects of Cheryomushki in Odessa. Aim was to look beyond the classic layers of infrastructure, housing, culture, greenery or public space and to identify the specific features in this Ukrainian neighborhood.

The atlas tells various stories, to be explored, in order to become conscious of our own agency as designers in researching and narrating the remote reality of Beirut – and thus helping us to understand the city. All topics are related to the urban planning and architecture on one side and put into a broader context of Beirut and its geographical, socio-cultural, political, economic, and environmental conditions.