In the spring, the Cabinet of Ministers reported that 250,000 residential properties in Ukraine had been destroyed. According to MP Olena Shuliak, Ukrainians have submitted 640,000 reports through the Diia app regarding damaged or destroyed homes.
We spoke with Tetiana Vodotyka, Academic Director of the Master’s Program in “Urban Studies and Post-War Reconstruction” at the Kyiv School of Economics, about how Ukraine can address current and post-war infrastructure challenges.
On the chances to build back what was destroyed
Is it possible to rebuild the destroyed premises? This is an extremely complex question (it’s worth using the word “premises,” as it refers not only to housing but also to offices, business centers, warehouses, etc.). After all, every day, Russians destroy something, yet at the same time, buildings are constantly being repaired and restored.
Will Ukraine be able to ensure the reconstruction? We will only know the answer to that question when a peace treaty is signed and the total losses can be calculated.
The key points of the podcast were compiled by Anna-Mariia Mandzii, a Reform Index project intern.
The reconstruction processes have already begun. As Myroslava Savisko from the Kyiv School of Economics notes, the term “restoration” is currently used for urgent reconstruction efforts, which involve replacing windows, repairing roofs, and restoring walls. This is what is urgently needed right now. But will these temporary measures meet today’s and tomorrow’s needs?
Approach to architecture: old or new?
In some cases, there is no sense in duplicating the old if the true value of what was lost cannot be restored. After the start of the full-scale invasion, the principle of “build back better” was proposed for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
The phrase “Build Back Better” first appeared in Ukraine’s National Recovery Plan Blueprint presented at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano, Switzerland, in July 2022. This document defines BBB as one of the key reconstruction principles, emphasizing rebuilding to higher quality standards and using more advanced technologies. The recovery plan’s authors highlighted the need to align Ukraine’s reconstruction with European principles, such as the green transition and digital transformation.
Some cities are choosing to create something new, preserving the memory of the past through modern architectural solutions. In Ukraine, considering decentralization, decisions about reconstruction should be made by local communities, taking into account their needs for using rebuilt spaces and their vision for the future.
Resources for the reconstruction and engaging society
Significant resources are needed to rebuild the premises. However, this is not just a matter for the state but for all of us, as many different actors are involved in reconstruction: charitable foundations, non-governmental organizations, and other institutions, such as the foundation Caritas. What’s needed here is a synergy of efforts and a collective determination of needs.
The most urgent priority now is supporting internally displaced persons, many of whom cannot restore or purchase housing on their own. In this situation, the assistance of non-governmental organizations, the state, and the support of society as a whole is crucial.
In addition to assisting IDPs, the distribution of efforts and effective coordination among various players is vital in other areas as well. The state provides the legislative framework, but there are also moral, ethical, and financial considerations. Society—including the media, academia, urban communities, and civil organizations—is already engaged in the process. Each of these sectors can contribute, from raising awareness to providing material support.
Urban communities in Ukraine are evolving. They already exist in cities like Lviv, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Kyiv. However, questions remain regarding their internal capacities and the tasks they set for themselves. Clearing rubble and rebuilding basic infrastructure is one thing. However, planning reconstruction for decades ahead requires an entirely different level of capability and expertise.
Urbanists bring their expertise to the reconstruction process. Various higher education institutions in Ukraine are currently developing programs to train specialists in this field, each with its specific focus—management, architecture, or other aspects critical to organizing the reconstruction process. For example, the urban studies program at the Kyiv School of Economics brings together individuals with diverse experiences who are eager to grow in this domain.
A city is the longest-lasting project in human history. The responsibility of those living in a city is to make it better and more comfortable without causing harm. Urban studies is the science of cities, accounting for the multifunctionality and diversity of urban spaces. Its primary goal is to make these spaces better and more comfortable for residents.
Architects, the government, or local residents: Who should make reconstruction decisions?
Decisions should be made by those who are well-acquainted with the local context. For instance, the Literary Museum in Kharkiv had a reconstruction project developed back in 2017, but its implementation was delayed by the war and the pandemic. Can an architect who has left the city understand its new reality?
Ukraine needs solutions designed by those familiar with local specifics or those willing to study them. Architects are already coming to Ukraine with ready-made proposals; for example, British architect Norman Foster has developed a reconstruction project for Kharkiv. However, it is clear that someone who has never been to Ukraine can only have an advisory role.
Photo: depositphotos.com/ua
Attention
The authors do not work for, consult to, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have no relevant affiliations
