Post-war urbanism. 10 points for a new urban policy of the reconstruction of Ukrainian cities

City of Borodyanka near Kyiv after shelling, 2022 (The Guardian)

We are all facing national disaster with Russian Federation treacherously bombing civilian infrastructure in the unjustified war. But we need to get out of this situation stronger than ever and build a better future for the generations to come.

1. Envisioning housing as a necessity, not as a profit-seeking field of business. New housing laws with a rebalancing of power towards housing associations, special taxation regime and land auctions closed for profit-seeking developers. Abandonment of the soviet system of propiska and queue and creation of need-based flexible housing assistance. Creation of municipal housing development companies, accountable to councils that provide rented housing on a long-term basis. Utilize opportunity for self-help — drafting and approving new Laws for cooperative housing construction and non-profit housing associations — allow people to create housing projects with architects and build their own homes;
2. New land and property taxation policies — increasing taxation by the analysis of the true value of the real estate and decreasing the tax pressure on the revenue and income of people. New local land policies allowing non-discriminatory competitive access to land plots with rent for 99-years free of charge for non-profit organizations;
3. Create a new Law on Urban development and planning — giving more power to local councils and local departments of architecture. Abandonment of General plan in its current form and provision of the land-use and spatial masterplan instead. State and cities have to restructure the departments for architecture and urban planning and give them the rights and resources to drive and formulate aims of future development;
4. Avoid creating more monofunctional, ecologically disastrous and car-oriented Pozniaki and Southern Borschagivka-style development. Only multi-functional and socially relevant projects with dense and meaningful urban spaces, short distances, access to jobs and social services by the introduction of new guidelines for spatial development, zoning and height, and density limits in cities;
5. Develop a new national mobility policy. Strong anti-automobile pressure, as people will see them as vehicles of safety with disastrous consequences. Car has to become redundant as an unnecessary and costly asset. Getting rid of it means getting rid of the dependence on Russian oil and gas, as well as achieving new quality of air and urban space. Taxation of cars and fuel and streaming the revenue into public transport and alternative mobility projects;
6. New requirements for housing construction. Imperative for the re-use of materials, especially rubble. No more coal or gas heating. Only electricity from alternative sources, nuclear stations or autonomous heating from natural biogas. Guidelines and regulations for climate-resilient materials and surfaces. Parking for non-motorized transport and urban gardening as indispensable parts of the projects.
7. It is extremely necessary to support these policies by reviving Regional spatial planning. Complex sustainable land-use schemes, integrated mobility connections and strong anti-sprawl policies can revive devastated regions. Legal power over local planning and continuous update with experts for comprehensive visions of the regions from the competitiveness perspective;
8. There is a necessity for funding and opening new universities and departments for urban planning, architecture and construction. Contemporary education in this field in Ukraine is simply poor, outdated and unable to provide high-class multi-profile specialists needed. Increase of funding for short-term programs and academic exchange as well as incentives for studies abroad and return programs;
9. Promote international cooperation and competition in planning and construction. Allow international architecture and construction companies to operate in Ukraine without additional legal entities and compete in tenders or competitions.
10. Incentivize tourist potential and revenue by comprehensive rehabilitation and restoration projects in cities and towns. Development of new legislation for heritage protection with transparent rules, zones and requirements. Strengthening the heritage protection administering system and punishment for the violation for businesses and individuals.

Peace in Lviv, 17th of February, 2022

How to make it happen? Let's cooperate on new research and policy advising groups. Write to me: go.oleksandr.anisimov@gmail.com