Engaging Communities for Resilient Urban Transformation in Ukraine
Designing inclusive and participatory processes, balancing economic interests with community needs, and fostering collaborations between public authorities, community organizations, and international partners are crucial for the success of urban transformation projects in Ukraine. As the country prepares for the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024 in June, focusing on recovery and reconstruction, experts emphasize the importance of community engagement in urban planning and development.
In post-conflict contexts like Mykolaiv, integrating community initiatives into the reconstruction process is particularly important. By empowering local communities through participatory planning and ensuring their involvement in decision-making processes, cities can build resilient and cohesive urban environments that reflect the needs and aspirations of their residents.
Public authorities play a vital role in enabling community engagement by setting the stage for community-led initiatives and demonstrating the political will to support such processes. Balancing economic interests with community needs and leveraging non-speculative development models can help ensure sustainable and inclusive urban regeneration.
These insights were recently highlighted at the online workshop titled "Public participation and urban transformation: an open challenge," oganized by the One Works Foundation in collaboration with the Politecnico di Milano and international experts. The event, held on 23 May 2024 in Milan, brought together local policymakers, professionals, and international experts in urban planning and governance to discuss the crucial role of community engagement in shaping the future of Mykolaiv.
The workshop featured speakers from various European cities who shared their experiences and expertise in community-led urban regeneration projects. The event served as a platform for exchanging ideas and experiences, contributing to the ongoing efforts to support sustainable urban development in Mykolaiv and other cities in Ukraine.
“In these moments of strong discontinuity, a plural public debate between different perspectives on urban development becomes really important in defining and designing shared visions of the future, knowing very well that positions, interests, and perspectives might be very different but imagining that these strategies might also contribute to strengthening forms of local democracy and sense of citizenship.”
As Ukraine moves forward with its recovery and reconstruction efforts, prioritizing community engagement and participatory planning will be essential for creating urban environments that are resilient, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of their residents. By learning from the experiences of other European cities and fostering collaborations between stakeholders at all levels, Ukraine can build a stronger, more sustainable future for its cities and communities.