Resourses

The Participation Handbook of Urban Planning for Ukraine 

The Public Participation Handbook of Urban Planning for Ukraine is a vital resource for fostering community involvement in Ukraine’s post-war urban planning and recovery efforts. The document was developed by the Ukraine Rebuilding Action Group (URAG) and Ro3kvit Urban Coalition for Ukraine, with support from the 3MIN Foundation.

Objectives and Scope

The Handbook provides practical guidance for planners, administrators, and public officials engaged in urban planning and development in Ukraine. It serves as a comprehensive tool for:

• Formulating regulations and procedures for urban planning;

• Creating tailored public participation frameworks for specific projects;

• Supporting educators and trainers in incorporating urban planning and public engagement into their curricula;

• Adapting recommendations to Ukraine’s cultural and historical context, recognizing the universal importance of community involvement while encouraging customization to fit local circumstances.

Key Features

• Practical insights and recommendations for effective public participation in urban planning.

• Balance between universal community engagement principles with Ukraine-specific considerations.

• Suitability to the unique needs of individual communities.

Methodology

The Handbook leverages expertise from urban planning professionals and incorporates feedback from stakeholders. The project team is committed to ongoing engagement with the planning community to provide clarifications, corrections, and supplemental information as needed.

Environmental Sustainability Planning Guidelines

These guidelines support sustainable rebuilding in Ukraine and other regions facing war, natural disasters, and climate change. Funded by a $4,000 APA Divisions Council Research Grant (2023-2024), the guidelines emphasize regional and territorial planning, aligning with UN-Habitat’s International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning (2017).

Objectives and Scope

The guidelines provide a framework for dynamic, resilient planning, integrating spatial, temporal, programmatic, macroeconomic, and environmental factors. They focus on:

• Regional planning for counties, oblasts, watersheds, and biodiversity corridors, complementing urban-focused efforts.

• Action planning to bridge vision and reality, using foresight, scenario analysis, and design thinking to address near- and long-term needs.

• Coordination of international donors, aligning Ukrainian sector plans (e.g., housing, transport), and incorporating EU environmental directives.

• Prioritization of international best practices and solicit ongoing input via the URAG website and webinars.

Key Features

The guidelines are organized into four parts:

• Main Document: 

  • • Ukraine’s pre-war environmental baseline, war impacts, planning laws, EU directives, and international aid programs.

• Regenesis: 

  • • Regenerative urbanism, advocating for performance-driven, whole-systems approaches to create resilient, sustainable cities.

• Environmental Sustainability Modules:

  • • Hazard mitigation and resilient infrastructure

    • Low-carbon urban development and green buildings

    • High-performing public and green spaces

    • River basin and water resource management

    • Contamination cleanup and waste management

    • Transportation planning for non-motorized and public modes

• Future Modules: 

  • • Under development, addressing air quality, resilient infrastructure, cultural heritage, and support for war-affected populations.

Methodology

The guidelines balance urgent needs with long-term sustainability, offering step-by-step methodologies adaptable to various contexts.