It is reported that since the full-scale conflict between Ukraine and Russia in February 2022, more than 2,000 schools in Ukraine have been destroyed or destroyed, and two-thirds of children (more than 5 million) have been displaced. The war has not only made these children lose their opportunities to learn, but has become refugees directly.
But as Ukrainian begins moving back to the relatively safe zone of Lviv , the non-profit team4Humanity (TEAM4UA) has begun planning to rebuild the country's infrastructure through 3D printing , including building schools, which will also be the first 3D printing school in Europe ever.
The planned 3D printing school in Ukraine, picture from: Balbek Bureau.
"This saves time, it is effective in terms of energy costs, and it is fast," said Charles Tiné, a member of the Strategy Committee of Team4Humanity. "It's not like putting refugees in buildings that can only last for two weeks. It's long-term, and when it's done, you can pack your printer, put it on a truck and move it elsewhere."
Team4Humanity
As the Humanitarian Aid Foundation in Ukraine, Team4Humanity's main job has been to provide important food, medical supplies and sanitary supplies to citizens of the country since the beginning of the war. To date, the organization has provided 4,000 tons of rescue supplies to more than 100,000 people in 17 administrative regions of Ukraine.
However, despite the war still raging on the eastern front of Ukraine, Team4Humanity said western cities like Lviv are relatively safer at present, and there are already many returning refugees choosing to go there. But as the number of people increases, the demand for shelters has also increased rapidly, and for this reason, the nonprofit has thought of building a house through 3D printing.
Ukrainian children who lost their homes in the war, picture from: foreignpolicy
To meet the needs of Lviv, 10,000 houses need to be built, but it will take at least two years to build these houses through traditional buildings. By contrast, using 3D printing, the organization believes that construction can be completed in just a few months, meeting Lviv’s demand for a house. The nonprofit added that combining 3D printing with other advanced technologies could create a better opportunity to rebuild while also ensuring “according to the Ukrainian way of life”.
Through this strategy, Team4Humanity envisions the ability to build a “safe and sustainable community” composed of environmentally friendly and energy-efficient homes. These communities can use internal circulating water systems and solar panels to produce renewable energy while allowing resources to be shared among households.
To help, Team4Humanit plans to bring 15 3D printers into the country and then teach Ukrainians how to use them to recycle debris from destroyed buildings into new infrastructure. Although Lviv was hit by the missile earlier this week, the group said it still planned to do the construction, although it acknowledged that time had been postponed.
"This is definitely not going to deviate from our goal a centimeter, it is to help people rebuild what is destroyed and get a long education," added Charles Tiné. "After school, we can print bridges, warehouses, and once the Ukrainian war is over, our idea is to transfer these printers to other places where it is needed."
3D printing, in addition to playing an important role in the reconstruction of Ukrainian war houses, in terms of medical care, BCN3D also sent 3D printed tourniquet parts to Ukraine to help local humanitarian rescue work.
War is cruel, no matter which country or region occurs, and what endangers the future of their next generation. I sincerely hope that the 3D printed schools can be rebuilt in Ukraine as soon as possible so that these children can continue to learn.
