Harmonisation of the urban environment by means of visual art, lighting design, and architecture

*olha_pidlisna@outlook.com, *alyonasimonova87@gmail.com, *ni.ivanova@outlook.com, 
*vik_bondarenko@yahoo.com, *andrii_yesipov@hotmail.com
	
Acta Sci. Pol., Administratio Locorum 22(1) 2023, 59–72.
https://czasopisma.uwm.edu.pl/index.php/aspal	
plISSN 1644-0749	
eISSN 2450-0771	
DOI: 10.31648/aspal.8214
ORIGINAL PAPER
Received: 16.09.2022  	
Accepted: 24.10.2022
© Copyright by Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Warmińsko-Mazurskiego w Olsztynie
psychology, ecology, and philosophical sciences: 
aesthetics, cultural anthropology and philosophical 
anthropology. Apart from that, the images of a city 
are reflected in literature, the visual arts, cinema 
and television. Together, these works of art form 
a figurative panorama of the city, a technological 
system of its design in which the city is represented 
INTRODUCTION
A city is not just an architectural phenomenon, 
but also a socio-cultural creation filled with 
different patterns of living. In its various functions, 
a city is a  subject of interdisciplinary research 
of many sciences, especially urban planning, social 
HARMONISATION OF THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT BY MEANS 
OF VISUAL ART, LIGHTING DESIGN, AND ARCHITECTURE
Olha Pidlisna1*, Alyona Simonova2*, Nina Ivanova3*, Viktoriya Bondarenko4*, 
Andrii Yesipov5*
1	ORCID: 0000-0002-7801-4475 
2	ORCID: 0000-0001-6802-0866
3	ORCID: 0000-0001-7452-7292
4	ORCID: 0000-0001-6228-1889
5 ORCID: 0000-0002-6004-1344
1,2,3 O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv
	 Marshal Bazhanov Street 17, 61002, Kharkiv, Ukraine
4,5 Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts 
	 Mystetstv Street 8, 61002, Kharkiv, Ukraine 
ABSTRACT
Motives: This study was undertaken to fill in the gap in theoretical knowledge about the challenges 
associated with transformations in the modern urban environment, the socio-cultural consequences 
of external changes in the urban landscape, and growing interest in the urban environment as a unique 
locus of artistic and creative activity. 
Aim: The purpose of the study was to analyse modern methods of optimising the urban environment 
by means of visual art, lighting design, landscape architecture, and small architectural forms. 
Results: A harmonious urban environment was created in Kharkiv through the introduction 
of sophisticated design elements, art objects, and urban furniture in the architectural context. These 
elements were integrated to create distinct and high-quality urban recreation areas. Basic modelling 
principles for optimising the urban environment can be used to analyse and combine the existing 
methods, and search for new opportunities to implement creative design solutions. 
Keywords: creativity of the urban environment, Kharkiv, urban space, small architectural forms, 
lighting design

Pidlisna, O., Simonova, A., Ivanova, N., Bondarenko, V., Yesipov, A. (2023). Harmonisation of the urban environment by means 
of visual art, lighting design, and architecture. Acta Sci. Pol. Administratio Locorum 22(1), 59–72.
60
*olha_pidlisna@outlook.com, *alyonasimonova87@gmail.com, *ni.ivanova@outlook.com, 
*vik_bondarenko@yahoo.com, *andrii_yesipov@hotmail.com
by the specific language of a particular art form (Song 
et al., 2022). Since the environment reflects changing 
cultural stereotypes and consumer demands over time, 
it requires changes and responses to life processes. 
To make the urban environment with the already 
established architectural and planning conditions 
and the existing development consistent with the 
changing needs of modern life, new forms of human 
and social behaviour at a particular point in time, 
it is both essential and achievable to reorganise the 
environment to a new level of content. The material and 
organisational forms of this reality are transformed, 
and the idea creates a harmonious environment 
with respect for the norms and values of culture. 
By determining the activity of the properties of various 
design tools and the possibilities of their interaction, 
it is possible to monitor the process of changing 
life and society, regulate the renewal of space, and 
find ways and means to preserve the value of the 
environment and its modernisation (Wang, 2021; 
Syrmanova et al., 2021).
The studies cover the general characteristics of 
the city’s architecture and the main trends of its 
development and changes. Many authors attribute 
the urban environment to various indicators, 
primarily aesthetic, architectural, landscape, 
spiritual, cultural and many others. In 2004, the 
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific 
and Cultural Organization) Creative Cities Network 
was established to strengthen cooperation between 
cities, recognising culture and creativity as strategic 
elements for sustainable socio-economic development. 
This initiative promoted intellectual interaction 
between the participating cities, allowed the exchange 
of cultural and artistic experiences, and enabled the 
implementation of joint international projects. Today, 
UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network brings together 
295 cities from more than 80 countries, representing 
one of seven creative disciplines (Meseneva, 2020): 
arts and crafts, gastronomy, design, film, literature, 
media arts (digital art) and music. UNESCO creative 
cities have a rich cultural heritage and use the potential 
of the creative environment for the socio-economic 
development of the region. Such cities play an 
important role in creating an atmosphere of openness 
to creative processes, developing creative clusters 
and facilitating the gradual transition to market 
globalisation. The urban environment in cities is 
formed by synergetic solutions based on a combination 
of different types of design, music, history and 
literature, modern information technologies and 
environmental principles (Narboni, 2020; Goussous 
& Al-Hammadi, 2018). One such city is Kharkiv. 
Based on this, the object of this study is the urban 
environment of Kharkiv, namely its object content. 
The analysis of urban environmental issues 
from a design perspective requires an examination 
of the trends and dynamics of urban planning tools 
and the degree of influence of social, economic 
and environmental factors. Modern Ukrainian 
society is  facing profound changes in the basic 
principles of life, which are actively influenced by 
the environment. Therefore, specialists are constantly 
searching for solutions to create a certain image 
of the environment. The image of the environment 
is interpreted as a category whose realisation is 
the most important task of the architect-designer. 
A detailed analysis of Ukrainian cities shows that their 
environment is becoming chaotic due to changing 
socio-economic conditions, especially commercial 
pavilions, advertising installations and haphazard 
evening lighting (Rudenchenko, 2013). In addition to 
the visual ecology often disturbed in cities, there is 
also the aspect of sound comfort, which in the modern 
urban environment can be achieved with the help 
of design solutions and specialized small forms that 
create an acoustic effect. Thus, to create a harmonious 
environment in a modern city, a synergistic approach 
is needed.
The purpose of this investigation is to analyse 
modern methods of optimising the urban environment 
by means of visual art, lighting design, landscape 
architecture and small architectural forms.

61
*olha_pidlisna@outlook.com, *alyonasimonova87@gmail.com, *ni.ivanova@outlook.com, 
*vik_bondarenko@yahoo.com, *andrii_yesipov@hotmail.com
Pidlisna, O., Simonova, A., Ivanova, N., Bondarenko, V., Yesipov, A. (2023). Harmonisation of the urban environment by means 
of visual art, lighting design, and architecture. Acta Sci. Pol. Administratio Locorum 22(1), 59–72.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study examines the design technologies that 
shape contemporary urban space and its environment. 
As a methodological basis for the study, the following 
general scientific and special methods have been 
applied: method of analysis and synthesis, design, 
scientific objectivity, and systematic approach to the 
study of urban environment optimisation. This study 
applies a number of techniques and methodological 
approaches, in particular systemic, dialectical and 
comparative approaches. The methodology of this 
study is determined by the topic evolving at the 
intersection of several branches of knowledge, such 
as design, urban ecology, urban planning theory, 
architecture, architectural design of the urban 
environment and many others. At the same time, the 
design of a comprehensive urban design and the spatial 
environment of a city is characterised by a considerable 
methodological effort through the design of the 
surrounding elements, using design techniques 
and tools developed in the design of architectural 
environment objects.
The primary method in the study was analysis 
adopted as the central method of scientific cognition. 
This method of scientific cognition involves the 
process of parsing an object into its component 
parts in order to fully comprehend them according 
to different parameters. The analysis characterised 
key judgements related to the study, including “small 
architectural forms”, “harmonisation of the urban 
environment”, “lighting design” and “landscape 
architecture” and many others. The method of analysis 
has made it possible to pursue the stated objective 
of this study, namely to examine the interaction 
between the available methods for optimising the 
urban environment by means of the visual arts, 
lighting design, landscape architecture and small 
architectural forms. Photographs and sketches of parts 
of Kharkiv’s urban environment were collected for 
this study. Historical data on some of Kharkiv’s 
architectural sites and future plans for the city’s 
development are also explored. It was brought to light 
how elements of modern design, street sculptures 
and small architectural forms contribute to the 
optimisation of Kharkiv’s urban environment. 
The design method has made it possible to 
evaluate the application of methods for optimising 
the urban environment by means of the visual arts, 
lighting design, landscape architecture and small 
architectural forms. It has determined the influence 
of the entire study on the questions generated by this 
subject. The design method is divided into several sub-
items, as the resolution of the chosen tasks must be 
consistent and complementary. Emphasis was placed 
on the explicit use of tools to summarise the findings 
of the entire research work and to harmonise the 
results in order to define the novelty and practicality 
of the work undertaken. The implementation phase 
of the study on “Harmonisation (optimisation) of the 
urban environment by means of visual art, lighting 
design, architecture” allowed for an assessment of the 
accuracy of the entire study, or to be more precise, 
the effectiveness of the chosen research methods to 
be determined. The purpose of this study has been 
achieved, as well as all theoretical and practical 
provisions concerning the study of the topic have 
been clarified. The method of scientific objectivity 
and classification of the findings was used.
RESULTS
Nowadays, small architectural forms are an 
important functional, artistic and decorative element 
filling the modern urban environment, and creating 
comfortable conditions for residents to live in the 
city and spend time on the city streets. Creative 
objects with which the city dweller interacts include 
landscape architecture, small architectural forms, 
design installations, sculptural compositions, and 
urban gardening. Small architectural forms are objects 
and devices with simple but independent functions 
that complement the architecture of urban buildings, 
structures, parks, squares and streets and are elements 
of their improvement (Rami, 2017). Small architectural 
forms of modern urban planning are:

Pidlisna, O., Simonova, A., Ivanova, N., Bondarenko, V., Yesipov, A. (2023). Harmonisation of the urban environment by means 
of visual art, lighting design, and architecture. Acta Sci. Pol. Administratio Locorum 22(1), 59–72.
62
*olha_pidlisna@outlook.com, *alyonasimonova87@gmail.com, *ni.ivanova@outlook.com, 
*vik_bondarenko@yahoo.com, *andrii_yesipov@hotmail.com
1.	 Decorative purpose: decorative walls, decorative 
sculpture, fountains, pavilions, bridges, facade 
decoration with bas-reliefs and mosaic panels.
2.	Mass utilitarian uses: benches, litter bins, fences, 
signs, stairs, retaining walls, number plates, flower 
vases and decorations; Light fittings, kiosks, 
information kiosks, telephone boxes, post boxes, 
bus stops, network support services, traffic lights, 
road signs.
3.	 For recreation, games and sports facilities: tables 
and benches, swings, carousels, slides, rollers, tents, 
fencing, lighting systems, etc. 
Modern urban planning also includes the 
following (Florida, 2007; Matrouk & Goussous, 2011):
a.	 street furniture; 
b.	furnishing of different places of urban space, 
squares, parks; 
c.	 devices for defining a particular area (fences, 
partitions between pavements and driveways, etc.);
d.	ground floor structures (dance floors and theatre 
arenas, graphic elements, art objects). 
Structures with small architectural forms, design 
installations, and sculptural compositions are an 
important part of any urban environment, making 
the city more humane and interesting for residents and 
visitors. Small architectural forms, in their essence and 
style, represent the most mutable layer of the subjective 
spatial environment of a modern city. Today, the basic 
principles of designing small architectural forms in 
the design of modern urban environment, including 
those of the city of Kharkiv, are (Shu & Zhong, 2020): 
–	complexity, which consists in designing not 
just individual forms of small architecture, but 
their functional and compositional complexes 
and interrelated elements of the object-spatial 
environment (it is worth noting that today, small 
architectural forms are not considered to be 
separate, self-sufficient elements, but are included 
in the planning and organisation of the functional 
zoning of the surrounding urban space); 
–	a unique design idea, the design of a group of small 
architectural forms in a single style based on the 
stylistic features of the existing image of the urban 
environment; 
–	the project incorporates the unique natural con-
ditions and landscape of the urban environment; 
preserving national identity, succession and respect 
for cultural traditions; 
–	creation of an interesting, unforgettable artistic 
image, adaptation of the artistic originality of small 
forms to their intended purpose; 
–	functional zoning, small architectural forms allow 
the area to be divided into certain zones of different 
purposes and emphasise them in appropriate places; 
–	the use of natural materials in urban environments 
embodies nature and creates a comfortable 
environment, psychologically close to the person; 
–	consideration of ergonomic requirements in the 
design of small forms in urban environments; 
–	scale and proportion, harmonious combination 
of part and whole; 
–	proportion of small architectural forms to the 
human scale and the surrounding space; 
–	rational, efficient use of materials and structures.
The struggle against noise in the central areas 
of cities is made difficult by the existing density 
of buildings. In this case, the most promising solutions 
to this problem are the reduction of the own noise 
of vehicles and the use of new effective noise-absorbing 
materials in buildings facing the busiest thoroughfares, 
the use of vertical greening of buildings and increasing 
the row of window glazing. If we consider highways 
in new residential areas of cities or expressways 
between areas of large metropolises, then in these 
conditions it is possible to build noise barriers, widen 
highways, and plant trees that reduce noise levels on 
roads. In order to prevent noise from such highways, 
there is a need to apply such measures, which would 
provide a high probability of protection from the 
entire spectrum of the noise impact of such transport 
facilities. One of these measures is the construction 
of acoustic protective walls, which also have an 
aesthetic function, that is, they are decided on the 
basis of artistic and design means of design. Such 
walls are not uncommon in Europe, but they are only 
beginning to regain their rightful place in the urban 
environment of Kharkiv (Long-term strategy…, 2015).

63
*olha_pidlisna@outlook.com, *alyonasimonova87@gmail.com, *ni.ivanova@outlook.com, 
*vik_bondarenko@yahoo.com, *andrii_yesipov@hotmail.com
Pidlisna, O., Simonova, A., Ivanova, N., Bondarenko, V., Yesipov, A. (2023). Harmonisation of the urban environment by means 
of visual art, lighting design, and architecture. Acta Sci. Pol. Administratio Locorum 22(1), 59–72.
A number of successfully implemented projects 
can be examples of the successful and effective 
use of the considered method of sound-insulating 
screens and barriers. A sound pipe in Melbourne 
(Australia) is designed to reduce roadway noise 
without compromising the aesthetics of the built-up 
area. The noise reduction wall in the Netherlands has 
a transparent part at the driver’s eye level to reduce 
the visual impact on road users. The proposal “Forest 
Corridor” took one of the 2 places (professional 
category) at the open international competition 
of  noise protection screens/fences organized in 
Hong Kong (Klishch, 2016). The project provides 
an  alternative image of construction for noise 
reduction in the dense urban environment of the 
city. Considering the existing buildings and transport 
network of Kharkiv, it can be suggested to continue 
to use the redistribution of traffic flows and increase 
the sound insulation of buildings along transport 
arteries. For some operated and, especially, for 
promising highways being built in the modern 
world, an effective second method is used – the 
device of sound screens and barriers. Considering the 
existing municipal projects in Kharkiv for the creation 
of new large highways connecting the city centre and 
sleeping areas (in particular, the Saltivsky residential 
massif and the “Kyivska” metro station, etc.), the most 
rational is the use of soundproofing structures. The 
implementation of European and world experience 
in the arrangement of similar structures in Kharkiv, 
taking into account their effectiveness and the 
possibility of application in the conditions of modern 
Ukraine, will be another step towards creating the 
most comfortable environment for the city’s residents. 
It should be understood that in Kharkiv, for the 
existing buildings, the use of screens is possible on 
the main multi-lane highways only if the design code 
of the city is taken into account.
Another feature of creative urban spaces is their 
flow from the external environment to public places 
where citizens stay, such as various cafes, bars, and 
fast food places. Their interiors are directly connected 
with the environment, are a part of it. Therefore, 
for such objects, the main means of solution will 
be elements of fine art, wall paintings, which are 
continued by monumental paintings on the external 
walls of buildings, elements of landscape design and 
art objects.
Table 1 presents photos of several art cafés and 
student projects of future creative facilities. It is 
possible to identify some common features and 
the necessary design tools to create such a creative 
environment. Designed for underground hangouts 
and cosy gatherings, Kharkiv’s art cafés, pubs and 
clubs are styled according to their name and the 
preferable theme of the meeting (literature, music, 
internet, etc.). The authentic designer lamps, which 
match the overall theme, and the muted, semi-
darkened light, which creates an intimate atmosphere 
and illuminates the performance space, are an absolute 
must. A characteristic feature of such establishments 
is the artwork on the walls (paintings, batiks, 
graphics, art photos) or accessories typical of the 
establishment’s style (musical instruments, books, 
autographs of famous actors and musicians, etc.). 
Lighting design techniques are often used to create 
dynamic stage illumination. The overall colour scheme 
is most often contrasting, which corresponds to the 
active trends of rock music and contemporary rap 
poetry. By studying existing equivalents and relying 
on personal creative needs, design students try to use 
the above techniques in a coursework project for 
food service places to create not just a comfortable 
and cosy, but also a branded, imaginative, creative, 
developmental environment. The implementation 
of such proposals should increase the creativity of the 
urban environment, facilitate the communication 
of modern creative youth and accelerate the formation 
of a new creative class of creative intelligentsia, which 
is an essential requirement for any city.
Nodal positions of harmonisation of urban 
environment design by means of small architectural 
forms in Kharkiv are formed at a proper level, but 
it is necessary to consider substantially the emerging 
trends. These trends include complexity of urban 
environment design, functional and compositional 
interrelation of all elements of the subject-spatial 
environment with the environment of the whole

Pidlisna, O., Simonova, A., Ivanova, N., Bondarenko, V., Yesipov, A. (2023). Harmonisation of the urban environment by means 
of visual art, lighting design, and architecture. Acta Sci. Pol. Administratio Locorum 22(1), 59–72.
64
*olha_pidlisna@outlook.com, *alyonasimonova87@gmail.com, *ni.ivanova@outlook.com, 
*vik_bondarenko@yahoo.com, *andrii_yesipov@hotmail.com
Table 1. Interior design features of multi-functional establishments
Existing food service facility
Functional purpose
Design tools 
and techniques
Creative environment 
student project
Korova Art Club
Café by day, with 
live performances by 
musicians, and poets in 
the evening
Designer lamps; poster; 
artwork; privacy 
and event seating 
arrangement, colour 
harmonies
Music Café
Pintagon Art Pub
Beer pub, Beer Club; 
occasionally hosts 
shows (bards, rock 
music)
Poster, artwork; event 
seating arrangement, 
trendy murals, 
artificially darkened 
interiors
Art Café
Agata Art Café
Evening café, hosts 
live performances 
by musicians, poets, 
possible discussions 
and dialogue
Poster, artwork; event 
seating arrangement, 
trendy murals, 
artificially darkened 
interiors
Theatre Café
CUB Literary Café
Operates as a regular 
café during the day. 
In the evenings it 
hosts poetry, music 
performances, and 
lectures.
designer lamps; 
artwork; event 
seating arrangement, 
uniformity of shapes
Literary Café
Source: own preparation.
city, the unity of style in the urban environment, 
originality of natural conditions and landscapes. 
Today, the emphasis on harmonising Kharkiv’s urban 
environment through visual art, lighting design, 
landscape architecture and small architectural forms, 
in line with current trends, is placed on designing 
(Bankovska, 2015): 
–	ecological qualities of urban spaces according 
to an appropriate standard; diverse utilitarian 
urban environment; friendly and humane urban 
environment; 
–	objects that are connected with historical 
or significant events of the city; urban exhibitions 
of small forms, art objects;

65
*olha_pidlisna@outlook.com, *alyonasimonova87@gmail.com, *ni.ivanova@outlook.com, 
*vik_bondarenko@yahoo.com, *andrii_yesipov@hotmail.com
Pidlisna, O., Simonova, A., Ivanova, N., Bondarenko, V., Yesipov, A. (2023). Harmonisation of the urban environment by means 
of visual art, lighting design, and architecture. Acta Sci. Pol. Administratio Locorum 22(1), 59–72.
–	genre sculptural fragments attractive for tourists 
and city residents; 
–	design of sports objects of the urban environment, 
given the massive enthusiasm of city residents for 
sports.
As for public lighting, it is intended to artificially 
increase visibility on the streets at night. The most 
commonly used lamps for this purpose are cantilever 
lamps with gas or sodium halide lamps or LED (light 
emitting diode) lamps. At night, the lights are turned 
on automatically or as directed by the dispatcher. 
However, whereas in the past street lamps were only 
used to improve visibility, in recent years a great deal 
of attention has been paid to their design. Over the 
years, urban public lighting has become an important 
element of the appearance of any space, revealing 
its essence and allowing a better appreciation of its 
architectural style. Decorative public lighting, the 
function of which, apart from being functional, is 
a decorative element that provides street aesthetics 
(modernity, restyling and unique design) (Inglis et al., 
2022). Lighting design is a relatively new industry in 
the history of art, constantly evolving and covering 
more and more areas of application. Lighting design 
is associated with technological advances, this design 
trend has a long history and plays an important role 
in the creation of urban environments. One might 
assume that street lighting with torches, then gas 
lanterns and street electricity are all signs of lighting 
design. An important step towards optimising the 
urban environment was the introduction of fluorescent 
lamps: neon lights have changed the appearance 
of the main streets of large cities. Another significant 
technical advance has been the emergence of LED 
light sources, which have become the most effective 
means of designing the urban night scene (Fil, 2020). 
Technological and scientific advances have made 
it possible to create magnificent nighttime laser 
structures and unique holographic images. The initial 
goal of modern lighting design is to create a pleasant 
and communicative urban atmosphere at night. 
Therefore, it can be argued that lighting design is 
a way to harmonise (optimise) the urban environment. 
In Table 2, the best design works of students of the 
Faculty of Architecture of O.M. Beketov National 
University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv and 
students of the Department of Interior Design 
of the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts 
were compiled to illustrate the results. These designs 
have also considered the lighting of the building 
and its surroundings, as well as the nearby streets, 
to optimise this aspect of Kharkiv’s overall design. 
Besides improving the usability of the environment 
at night-time, the solutions presented have important 
artistic and compositional value. Above all, the artistic 
image of the building is embraced, and each project 
has a specific idea.
Visual perception of objects and communicative 
elements influence citizens through many historical 
associations, tactile sensations, colours and composi-
tional means. The exterior elements (gardens, parks, 
squares and recreation areas) provide conditions for 
recreation, socialising and entertainment through 
green spaces, ponds, sculptures and industrial design 
elements: streetlights, letterboxes, and telephones. 
In recent years, a number of street and park sculptures 
have appeared, celebrating both real figures and fic-
tional characters. All these elements are systematised 
according to their location in the urban environ-
ment and their influence on its aesthetic perception. 
Modern urban sculpture is based on historical 
architectural and decorative traditions, the presence 
of sculptures on the facades of buildings that are 
architectural monuments. There are especially many 
such buildings in the centre of Kharkiv. Along with 
modern, realistic sculptures, the streets are filled with 
abstract, sometimes incomprehensible but attrac-
tive installations, elements of outdoor advertising for 
shops, cafés and businesses (Kuptsova, 2020).
The analysis of the literature on the studied 
topic reveals a lack of studies dedicated to the urban 
environment of Kharkiv through design. However, 
it  is worth noting that the complex functional-
spatial system of the modern urban environment 
is the subject of many contemporary studies for 
architects and designers. Today, the issue of organising 
the spatial social infrastructure of the modern 
urban environment is crucial for Ukrainian cities.

Pidlisna, O., Simonova, A., Ivanova, N., Bondarenko, V., Yesipov, A. (2023). Harmonisation of the urban environment by means 
of visual art, lighting design, and architecture. Acta Sci. Pol. Administratio Locorum 22(1), 59–72.
66
*olha_pidlisna@outlook.com, *alyonasimonova87@gmail.com, *ni.ivanova@outlook.com, 
*vik_bondarenko@yahoo.com, *andrii_yesipov@hotmail.com
It is important to create more humane recreational 
and landscape spaces in an urban environment. 
Commitment to overall renewal, orientation towards 
the most modern forms of activity and communication 
are characteristic features of citizens’ socio-cultural 
activities that influence their development in the daily 
life of the urban environment, significantly changing 
and emphasising the design of the urban environment. 
The promotion of similar competencies in these areas 
will enhance creativity, promote creative lifestyles, 
increase self-esteem and the competitiveness of young 
designers and architects in Ukraine.
As an example, many academic sources touch 
on issues of ethnic self-identification in the urban 
environment. Ethnodesign of the modern urban 
environment and its issues have been studied in great 
detail in the works of many contemporary scholars. 
Recent studies in this area include those by Grigorieva 
(2014), who examines the application of ethnic 
traditional design techniques in the design of modern 
interiors. According to Grigorieva (2014), today 
various exhibitions representing folk crafts, traditional 
art, achievements in the production of folk clothing, 
decorative items and much more play a significant role 
Table 2.	Projects of students of the Faculty of Architecture of the O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv 
and students of the Department of Interior Design of the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts on optimisation 
of the urban environment
No.
Project layout
No.
Project layout
1
5
2
6
3
7
4
8
Source: own preparation.

67
*olha_pidlisna@outlook.com, *alyonasimonova87@gmail.com, *ni.ivanova@outlook.com, 
*vik_bondarenko@yahoo.com, *andrii_yesipov@hotmail.com
Pidlisna, O., Simonova, A., Ivanova, N., Bondarenko, V., Yesipov, A. (2023). Harmonisation of the urban environment by means 
of visual art, lighting design, and architecture. Acta Sci. Pol. Administratio Locorum 22(1), 59–72.
in the promotion and dissemination of ethnomotives 
in the design of the urban environment. Apart 
from tradition, visitors to these exhibitions are also 
attracted by innovations based on the achievements 
of the national ethno-culture. The historical values 
behind contemporary design include traditional 
crafts such as decorative painting, embroidery, egg 
painting, ceramics, carpentry and more, incorporating 
distinctive national ornaments, and ancient tribes.
It is also worth mentioning the studies of Pang and 
Shen (2022), who have addressed the harmonisation 
of the contemporary urban landscape. They consider 
the absolute dominance of architecture in the urban 
landscape to be accompanied by a reduction in green 
areas, the monotony of the contemporary urban 
environment, the aesthetic, intellectual and emotional 
ambiguity of pedestrian communications and the 
dissonance between the scale of historic centres and 
the historic built environment. At the turn of the 
20th and 21st centuries, a number of original objects 
of landscape architecture appeared abroad, where 
these tasks were solved differently for different natural, 
climatic, urban, historical and cultural conditions. 
Historic landscape-natural compositions are based 
on the subordination of architecture to  nature, 
while landscape compositions are based on the 
subordination of architecture to nature (Goussous 
& Al-Jaafreh, 2020). Modern objects of landscape 
architecture, in which nature blends harmoniously 
into the urban environment, are already being created 
according to new construction principles based 
on the compositional interaction of architectural 
space with nature. This principle reads as follows: 
imitation involves the use of artificial materials that 
mimic nature; interpretation consists of designing 
the architectural and geometric design of natural 
elements that are subordinate to the urban context.
The studies of Zhan et al. (2022) address the 
increasing role of landscaping and greening of urban 
public areas in the context of today’s urbanised envi-
ronment. Flora plays an important role in improving 
a person’s mental well-being. Floral arrangements 
and a variety of tree and shrub crowns with brightly 
coloured accents counteract the aggressive linearity 
of modern urban development. Such landscape archi-
tecture techniques can improve a person’s mood, 
energy level and performance. Plants improve an 
emotional environment, which positively influences 
a person’s mental state while also affecting emotional 
and mental tension, has a positive effect on well-be-
ing, productivity and resilience to performance, and 
improves a person’s “quality of life”. When creating 
a psychologically favourable living environment for 
a person, it is very important to have an inner balance. 
The aesthetic, ornamental function of vegetation 
in the city enhances the artistic expression of urban 
development. Plants are a special material in creating 
landscape objects with common-use areas designed 
with functionality and power to optimise the envi-
ronment and make it more comfortable for humans.
In articles published by a number of publicists from 
other countries, Wang et al. (2021), Badura et al. (2021) 
the urban environment was considered an art object. 
The pieces present a classification of the options for 
creating artistic objects based on existing urban space. 
The possibilities of synthesising different types of art 
to create a harmonious and interesting atmosphere in 
the city are explored, and examples of actual projects 
are presented: painting, graffiti, use of lighting effects, 
video broadcasts, and advertising and installation 
productions. Using any combination of these methods, 
it is possible to change the visual perception of an 
object and space without physically changing the 
building itself. By synthesising the techniques of 
different art forms, it is possible to create a comfortable 
urban environment by bringing together different 
subcultures, thus reducing outbreaks of vandalism 
and aggression. In modern urban environments, it is 
common to see a large number of patterns on façade 
surfaces, concrete hedges, asphalt and more. 
Not all of them are of a purely ethical nature and 
fit harmoniously into the city’s composition. However, 
there are techniques for decorating architectural 
objects to reorganise space, enhance its socio-cultural 
significance, create a coherent image, and relieve 
the visual and emotional tension of residents, which 
is a synthesis of different types of art in the urban 
environment. This urban project aims, on the one

Pidlisna, O., Simonova, A., Ivanova, N., Bondarenko, V., Yesipov, A. (2023). Harmonisation of the urban environment by means 
of visual art, lighting design, and architecture. Acta Sci. Pol. Administratio Locorum 22(1), 59–72.
68
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*vik_bondarenko@yahoo.com, *andrii_yesipov@hotmail.com
Table 3.	Techniques for using artistic design to transform urban space into an art object
Source: own preparation.
hand, to divide the ownership of space into a dominant 
social group, and on the other hand, to combine 
a variety of urban spaces into one. Here are some 
examples of how art design techniques can be used 
to transform urban space into an art object (Table 3).
Currently, it is desirable to saturate the urban and 
suburban environment not only with functionally 
necessary elements of the architectural and design 
direction but also with art objects (Fig. 1).
A designer who received an academic art education 
can also give his projects a bright individuality, 
bringing them to the level of a work of art. Since the 
functional component still plays the main role in the 
design, the design object has a utilitarian purpose. 
The artist is not limited by the function, he is able to 
create unique products, giving them a personal life.
The environment actively affects the human 
subconscious, teaches certain values, adds energy, 
or, on the contrary, “sucks” it out of a person. The 
grey identical quarters of the socialist new system 
level individuals, accustom them to the same thoughts 
and take away the individuality of thinking. The

69
*olha_pidlisna@outlook.com, *alyonasimonova87@gmail.com, *ni.ivanova@outlook.com, 
*vik_bondarenko@yahoo.com, *andrii_yesipov@hotmail.com
Pidlisna, O., Simonova, A., Ivanova, N., Bondarenko, V., Yesipov, A. (2023). Harmonisation of the urban environment by means 
of visual art, lighting design, and architecture. Acta Sci. Pol. Administratio Locorum 22(1), 59–72.
modern approach to the architectural environment 
demands a creative individual approach to each 
environmental object. The active uses of colour in 
architectural structures, street art – murals and 
graffiti compositions, elements of land art that differ 
according to the conditions of the landscape create 
a variety of environments. Art objects can play an 
important role in strengthening such individuality: 
street sculptures, wall paintings, murals and graffiti, 
flower compositions (Fig. 1). The environment of the 
centre of Kharkiv can vividly confirm the active 
influence of this approach on the citizens. The closer 
to the outskirts of the city, the less suitable elements 
can be found. Typical playgrounds, of course, satisfy 
the minimum needs of children’s leisure, but the world 
in which people spend most of their lives should be 
brighter, more creative, different every time. That’s 
when the creative generation of young people will 
grow up.
Decorative light design installations, light 
fountains and interactive laser shows make a strong 
emotional impression on citizens, have an educational 
national-patriotic, ethical-aesthetic effect on the 
perception of urban architecture. All types of lighting 
enhance the creativity of the urban environment. It is 
possible to define the role of light design elements 
in the urban environment as those that have both 
functional and powerful decorative and aesthetic 
significance, increase the comfort and creativity 
of environmental and architectural objects, and have 
a
b
c
d
Fig. 1.	 Art objects in the urban environment
Note:	
a – bronze sculpture of children; b – green sculpture “Save every tree”; c, d – murals on the walls of high-rise buildings in the 
city’s sleeping areas.
Source:	own preparation.

Pidlisna, O., Simonova, A., Ivanova, N., Bondarenko, V., Yesipov, A. (2023). Harmonisation of the urban environment by means 
of visual art, lighting design, and architecture. Acta Sci. Pol. Administratio Locorum 22(1), 59–72.
70
*olha_pidlisna@outlook.com, *alyonasimonova87@gmail.com, *ni.ivanova@outlook.com, 
*vik_bondarenko@yahoo.com, *andrii_yesipov@hotmail.com
an educational and positive emotional impact on city 
residents. It can also be noted that the urban lighting 
environment of the city of Kharkiv has wide prospects 
in the sense of its development possibilities.
The architectural environment of the city is 
a scene with changing backgrounds, props, where 
one is both the protagonist and the audience. Buildings 
and structures are not static; they change, they move. 
An architectural image can influence a person’s 
emotions, making them experience, think and sense, 
as the artistic function of space often coincides with 
its emotional focus, where the utilitarian and practical 
function dominates. By playing with the above 
techniques, architects and designers can influence the 
interaction between people and the city, exacerbating 
or resolving arising conflicts. By making the urban 
environment interesting, unusual and comfortable 
for its inhabitants, it is possible to suppress outbursts 
of aggression and vandalism, enhance the aesthetic 
significance of the space and build its plastically 
correct layout (Badura et al., 2021).
The studies of Xin et al. (2022), Riapolov and 
Hesin (2020) consider means of visual art as an 
important means of creating an expressive, modern 
original architectural image. Although the synthesis 
of art is very evident today, painting is one of the main 
elements in the process. Painting has always been 
a means of completing a constructive architectural 
image: monumental painting, mosaics, stained 
glass windows, frescoes of various technologies help 
to create an expressive image, enrich colour, plasticity 
and texture. Painting offers a surprising feature 
of spatial illusions: in Renaissance ceiling paintings 
the frontal perspective deepens the wall space, 
while in contemporary 3D ART the architectural 
solution of the street space allows architects to 
express their economic and creative status to the full. 
The understanding and study of architecture as an 
art form is based on the general laws of art, on the 
grounds and categories for which artistic painting 
is necessary. The architectural image for the 
various schools is supplemented by images that add 
authenticity and artistic identity to the group. The 
prospects for a harmonious combination of various 
architectural and picturesque worlds in modern 
reality are indisputable. The architect must first 
have a general vision of the image being created and 
understand the harmony that the image carries within 
it. The figurative component of architectural art has 
always emphasised its uniqueness.
The content-image character corresponds to the 
distinction between the monumental image, which is 
a sign of the architectural whole, and the monumental-
decorative image, which merely decorates the surfaces 
of walls, ceilings and facades dissolving into the 
architecture. Monumental painting is also referred 
to as monumental-decorative painting, that is, 
painting that gives the mural a special decorative 
value. Depending on the function, monumental 
murals are approached using three-dimensional 
or two-dimensional decorative compositions. 
The monumental painting is complete and will only 
be completed when all elements engage together. 
For example, a significant phenomenon in the design 
of the 20th century was supergraphy as a form of active 
change in the appearance of the urban environment 
through colour. By supergraphy, experts understand 
artistic solutions that are superimposed on an 
independent three-dimensional object (structure, 
product, surface) based on contrast or coordinated 
interaction of a structural morphological image, which 
creates a completely new visual impression. In the 
visual transformation of three-dimensional form, 
the main feature of supergraphics is the tectonics 
of their colour, justifying the use of the prefix “super”, 
which allows them to be interpreted as photography 
or graphics and colour. Today, the arsenal of artistic 
paints of the city has expanded significantly. 
Dynamic artistic lighting of monumental art pieces, 
architecture, urbanism and landscape, video mapping, 
laser and LED technology enhance the architectural 
forms and spatial situations of the city. At this point, 
supergraphics can only be considered hypothetically. 
Namely, this would be the ‘supergraphic method’ 
or approach in urban architecture and design, which 
has an active transformation of architectural objects 
and environments on a visual, transformative and 
visual level. The origins of this approach go back 
to the distant past (Riapolov & Hesin, 2020).

71
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*vik_bondarenko@yahoo.com, *andrii_yesipov@hotmail.com
Pidlisna, O., Simonova, A., Ivanova, N., Bondarenko, V., Yesipov, A. (2023). Harmonisation of the urban environment by means 
of visual art, lighting design, and architecture. Acta Sci. Pol. Administratio Locorum 22(1), 59–72.
CONCLUSIONS
This study considers the impact of all the above-
mentioned forms of optimisation of the urban 
environment, namely, small architectural forms 
and elements of landscape and lighting design. 
In many of its manifestations, contemporary urban 
sculpture contributes to the comfort and diverse 
outlook of Kharkiv’s urban environment, expands 
the number of “urban centres” responsible for the 
ultimate comfort and creative atmosphere, the 
ground that forms the creative community spirit. 
Nowadays Kharkiv embodies such a vital and spiritual 
environment because this space is full of creative street 
sculpture. Summarising the above, it should be noted 
that a harmonious urban environment in Kharkiv 
is based on the inclusion of sophisticated design 
elements and small architectural forms. A careful 
combination of these elements creates a distinct and 
high-quality picture of the city’s recreation areas. 
Based on the basic principles of modelling the 
optimisation of the urban environment, it is possible 
to further analyse existing methods, combine them 
and look for opportunities for new creative design 
solutions. Design contributes to the expansion of the 
space of artistic exploration of different aspects 
of human existence, the introduction of artistic and 
technical products in many areas of life of modern 
society serves to meet not only the material but also 
the spiritual (including aesthetic) needs of people. 
Thus, it contributes to the formation and development 
of various aspects of human intellectual culture: 
orientation towards aesthetic values, aesthetic and 
artistic taste, humanisation of socio-cultural relations, 
and life values. 
The findings of the study indicate that the contem-
porary urban environment is seen as a realm of citi-
zens’ needs in the areas of residence, work, communi-
cation and recreation. Most urban planning is carried 
out without creative solutions, making it difficult to 
navigate the city, diluting the positive image of indi-
vidual historical fragments and creating a negative 
overall impression of the city. On the other hand, 
urban planning is currently going through a com-
plex development phase. Modern cities are a unique 
reflection of the information society, its crises, dead-
locks and resurgences. These are the trends of most 
Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv. Urban design 
is essential to a holistic appealing image of the city. 
Urban planning consists of aesthetic and functional 
objects. The aesthetics of the urban environment 
include landscaping, fencing, lighting, sidewalks and 
much more. Functional objects include small archi-
tectural forms (public transport stops, commercial 
pavilions) etc.
All of this creates a coherent image of any city. 
On the one hand, its socio-cultural component depends 
to a large extent on how a particular residential area 
of a city is designed, while on the other hand, the 
quality of the urban environment is influenced by 
society itself. Among other means of urban design, 
such as lighting design, water design, and landscape 
design, the following tools can be distinguished: public 
art and social advertising. The distinctive feature 
of these design tools lies not only in their aesthetic 
component but also in their significant impact on 
the socio-cultural process in the city. Public art 
in public space is not just art in urban space. It is an 
ever-changing dialogue between society and the urban 
environment, not only through static objects but also 
through the manifold actions generated by that same 
society. The mission for contemporary designers and 
architects is to balance the functional-spatial system 
of a city through the use of small architectural forms, 
natural and artificial green spaces, which will awaken 
the interest of citizens in the locations where they live, 
study or work. The methods and trends analysed in this 
study represent just a short list of architectural issues 
that architects and designers tackle when optimising 
Kharkiv’s urban environment.
Author contributions: authors have given 
approval to the final version of the article. Authors 
contributed to this work as follows: O.P. and developed 
the concept and revised the article critically for 
important intellectual content, A.S. analysed and 
interpreted the data, N.I. designed the study, V.B. 
prepared draft of article, A.Y. collected the data. 
Funding: There is nothing to declare.
Supplementary information: There is nothing 
to declare.
Note: There is nothing to declare.

Pidlisna, O., Simonova, A., Ivanova, N., Bondarenko, V., Yesipov, A. (2023). Harmonisation of the urban environment by means 
of visual art, lighting design, and architecture. Acta Sci. Pol. Administratio Locorum 22(1), 59–72.
72
*olha_pidlisna@outlook.com, *alyonasimonova87@gmail.com, *ni.ivanova@outlook.com, 
*vik_bondarenko@yahoo.com, *andrii_yesipov@hotmail.com
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