Kharkiv
As Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv is a hub of industry, education, and culture.
The UN4UkrainianCities project is supporting Kharkiv in developing a new concept master plan that will guide the city’s recovery and growth in the coming years, with a focus on sustainable infrastructure, affordable housing, and innovative public spaces. The project aims to engage local stakeholders and international experts to create a resilient and inclusive vision for Kharkiv’s future.
Photo: © Kharkiv City Council 
Photo: © Kharkiv City Council 
Photo: © Kharkiv City Council 
Photo: © Kharkiv City Council 
Photo: © Kharkiv City Council
Main Challenges
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Extensive damage to urban infrastructure and housing, with around 25% destroyed due to the ongoing conflict.
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Loss of nearly 5 million jobs as a result of business closures.
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Need for reconstruction of 500 residential buildings and major repairs for 2,990 others.
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Damage to educational institutions, including 207 kindergartens, schools, and 14 university buildings.
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Necessity to replace 80 tram units, 60 trolleybuses, 70 buses, and repair 80 boiler houses before winter.
In response to these challenges, the UN4UkrainianCities project, led by UNECE and the Norman Foster Foundation, in close collaboration with Arup Berlin and Kharkiv City Council, has been working to develop a new concept master plan for the city. This plan aims to support relief, rehabilitation, and development through pilot projects that ensure balanced and inclusive urban development.
City-Wide Strategies
- Nature: Creating a harmonious network of blue (water) and green (nature) corridors that intertwine natural infrastructure improvements with the city’s overall development and social well-being.
- Energy: Embracing innovative solutions and technologies to enhance energy efficiency, reduce the carbon footprint, and explore the potential of renewable energy sources.
- Water: Ensuring a stable, efficient, and high-quality water supply system while promoting water conservation measures and improving wastewater management.
- Economy: Establishing key priority areas for sustainable development and aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals to create a thriving, resilient, and inclusive economic landscape.
- Transport: Developing a seamless, sustainable transportation network that enhances accessibility, reduces car dependency, and fosters a more connected and people-centric future.
Pilot Projects
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HeritageAn international architecture competition to redesign the damaged Regional Administration Building in Kharkiv’s Freedom Square and its surroundings, engaging the local community and ensuring diverse architectural solutions that honour the city’s roots while serving as a catalyst for recovery.
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Science NeighborhoodTransforming the Barabashova Market site into a mixed-use neighbourhood dedicated to promoting scientific and technological innovation, with a feasibility study to quantify economic impact and establish tailored strategies.
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HousingAn international architecture competition for retrofit design of damaged panel housing blocks in the Saltivka neighbourhood, encouraging innovative and sustainable solutions that prioritise safety, liveability, and public spaces while aligning with Kharkiv’s cultural and historical identity.
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Economic AssessmentDeveloping an assessment to examine pre-conflict and current economic conditions, understand the potential for transformation, and identify key priority areas for the city’s future economy in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In partnership with the Initiative Wohnungswirtschaft Osteuropa (IWO) e.V. - Housing Initiative for Eastern Europe, the UN4UkrainianCities project is developing an affordable "Rental Municipal Housing Programme for Kharkiv" to address the challenges of damaged and neglected housing in the city. Since the conflict started in Ukraine, more than 1.4 million homes have been damaged or destroyed, and the existing housing is in poor condition due to mass privatization in the early 1990s and decades of neglect.
The goal is to provide a range of housing options for different groups in Kharkiv through local housing enterprises and cooperatives, working hand in hand with broader recovery efforts. The key aspects of this initiative include:
- Producing an analytical report on housing sector trends and resources
- Reviewing international models and providing tailored recommendations
- Working with international partners, including the European Investment Bank and the European Commission, to secure support
- Helping the city understand the administrative, organizational, and legal steps needed to establish independent entities that can collaborate with investors and financing institutions
The initiative has already made progress, including initial data analysis, drafting legally binding local documents, and receiving positive feedback on a baseline presentation about European municipal housing experiences. The IWO team is dedicated to collaborating closely with the Kharkiv City Council and international partners to ensure this critical initiative succeeds in addressing the city’s housing needs and fostering inclusive urban development.
