Showcasing Ukrainian Cities' Recovery Efforts at World Urban Forum 12
The UN4UkrainianCities project organized two events at the World Urban Forum 12 (WUF12) in Cairo this November, sharing progress on urban reconstruction and economic recovery initiatives in Ukraine. The forum, which gathered over 17,000 participants from 158 countries, provided a platform to discuss pressing urban development challenges.
The first UNECE-led event, "Ukraine Path to Recovery, Economic Growth and Housing Reform in Kharkiv and Mykolaiv," facilitated in-depth discussions on urban reconstruction and economic recovery. The Mayors of Kharkiv and Mykolaiv joined experts from UNECE, IWO, One Works Foundation, and the Fondazione Housing Sociale to explore local visions for housing recovery and identify necessary technical assistance.
The second UNECE event, "Digital Solutions for Reconstruction in Ukraine," highlighted the importance of establishing reliable urban planning systems despite ongoing challenges. The session introduced the 'City Project Tracker' - a GIS-based tool being developed to monitor the implementation of the pilot projects in Kharkiv and Mykolaiv. This system aims to support evidence-based decision-making and attract investment for reconstruction projects.
To add to this discussion, representatives from the Chernihiv City Council showcased a digital platform developed as part of a GIZ project, aimed at enhancing urban management. Mykolaiv's Chief Architect presented a GIS-based damage assessment tool, and the SSVA highlighted their own digital tool featuring case studies from Borodyanka. Additionally, the Ministry of Infrastructure introduced its urban cadaster digital solution, underscoring advancements in urban planning and digital infrastructure across Ukraine.
The project team also contributed as speakers to two additional events at the forum. At UN-Habitat's session on "Urban Recovery Efforts in Ukraine," organized in collaboration with NGO Restart Ukraine, discussions focused on key drivers for effective urban recovery and reconstruction. The event emphasized the importance of horizontal and vertical partnerships in advancing the urban recovery agenda.
The final session, "Multilateral City Diplomacy in Crisis Situation," organized by the Global Cities Hub, brought together UNECE, IFRI, Cités Unies France, and UN-Habitat. The discussion highlighted how city networks provide platforms for thematic discussions and peer-to-peer exchanges. The UN4UkrainianCities project was presented as a concrete example of effective cooperation, showcasing how it emerged from the UNECE Forum of Mayors when the Mayor of Kharkiv approached Lord Norman Foster to develop the city's concept master plan.
“UNECE is committed to giving cities a voice. That’s why we are organizing the Forum of Mayors. The Forum allows for the participation of mayors to share their city strategic plans, actions, and joint initiatives for addressing regional and global challenges, including implementing SDG 11 and other relevant targets. From this initiative the UN4UkrainianCities was born and is currently one of the most successful projects on urban recovery in Ukraine.”
Beyond presentations, WUF12 provided valuable opportunities to connect with global stakeholders and explore new collaborations for supporting urban reconstruction in Ukraine. The forum demonstrated how technical expertise and international cooperation can contribute to building more resilient and sustainable cities, while offering practical strategies for implementing urban planning systems that support long-term peacebuilding and reconstruction.