Active post-war recovery awaits the country with all its difficulties. At the same time, it will make it possible to approach the issue strategically and solve other Soviet problems.
Getting rid of old approaches and taking into account new principles, the implementation of which will have a positive effect on people’s lives, the environment and the economy is the number one task. Ukrainian cities need a new human-centered approach to planning and organizing the urban environment. The primary vector for work is the availability and quality of public areas, green areas, bicycle routes and pedestrian paths. Also, a human-centered approach involves the renewal of space taking into account safety measures and the principles of inclusiveness, optimization and reuse of resources, energy efficiency of buildings, etc.

Given the daily devastation, tougher climate standards and other global changes seem like timely issues today. However, the use of innovations and other tools in urban planning that would take into account the principles of sustainable development is a strategic decision. It can streamline cities, solve old and new problems, and bring long-term benefits.

First of all, it is necessary to regulate building regulations by raising standards for modernization of enterprises and energy efficiency standards for new buildings. Next, solve the problem of traffic jams by abandoning the division into sleeping areas and the center, where business activity is mainly concentrated. Focusing on polycentricity allows creating a multifunctional, convenient and more ecological space.

Each city has its own characteristics, local context and priorities, which are usually taken into account during the creation of urban planning documentation. In Ukraine, the main urban planning document is the general plan, which fixes the limits of development and the rationality of the use of territories. The strategy, in turn, is a tool that will help determine the directions and vision of long-term development and reconstruction of cities. Its provisions should be taken into account in the general plan, but most of our cities have not done so. In addition, not all cities have master plans. Therefore, this problem also needs to be resolved. As history shows, the development of plans for the reconstruction of cities that were destroyed began even during the war. In particular, the concept of development of Chernihiv has been proposed in Ukraine today, which takes into account the city’s weaknesses, such as chaotic construction, low energy efficiency, traffic jams, etc. It is proposed to make the city sustainable. In particular, the concept proposes the development of a “15-minute city” with the possibility of quick access to the main infrastructure facilities.

They want to follow a similar path in Kharkiv. The proposed project envisages solving the problem of low energy efficiency of buildings, decentralizing the city, establishing transport routes, equipping and expanding public spaces. And also — to create areas with low-rise buildings and parking lots that will take on the role of shelter in case of shelling.

During the Second World War, Warsaw was destroyed by 80%. The decision to return the capital to its pre-war appearance is mostly considered a political one, since it would be cheaper to rebuild the city than to restore the destroyed objects without changes. The first step was the creation of a plan that took into account all the destruction, the final goal and, accordingly, became the guideline by which the further recovery and development of the city took place. This process — from the clearing of the territory to the construction of new residential buildings and the deep restoration of the historic center — lasted four decades. The city was faced with a lack of funds, building materials and labor, so the population was widely involved in the reconstruction, which also helped with donations.

It is time for us to choose our path of reconstruction, take into account the old shortcomings and modernize the current requirements.