Spatial aspects of the post-war reconstruction of urban settlements in the Kyiv region

Abstract

Abstract: The article focuses on the analysis of spatial aspects of post-war reconstruction of urban settlements in Kyiv Oblast under the conditions of the full-scale war in Ukraine. The relevance of the study is determined by large-scale destruction of residential buildings, social and engineering infrastructure, demographic losses, forced migration, and profound transformations of the spatial organization of urban areas caused by military actions and occupation.

The aim of the research is to identify spatial features and develop a typology of urban settlements in Kyiv Oblast according to the level of destruction, reconstruction dynamics, and functional-spatial transformations in the post-war period.

The methodological framework of the study is based on a socio-geographical approach that integrates spatial analysis with the study of social and demographic processes. The research employs methods of analysis and synthesis, comparative geographical analysis, cartographic and GIS-based methods, as well as elements of typological and functional zoning. Statistical data, official reports of state institutions, analytical materials of international organizations, and open spatial data were used as the empirical basis of the research.

The study results in the development of a typology of urban settlements in Kyiv Oblast, which distinguishes four main types according to the degree of war-related destruction and reconstruction trajectories: cities with high levels of destruction and intensive comprehensive reconstruction; settlements with extremely high but uneven destruction and fragmented recovery; cities with moderate damage and stable local reconstruction processes; and cities with low physical destruction but significant demographic pressure and functional transformation. Representative cities for each type are identified, including Irpin, Bucha, Borodianka, Vyshhorod, Brovary, and Bila Tserkva.

The research demonstrates that post-war reconstruction processes in Kyiv Oblast are highly differentiated spatially and cannot be addressed through uniform planning approaches. Effective recovery requires consideration of demographic dynamics, changes in urban functions, infrastructure resilience, security conditions, and memorialization practices. Special attention is paid to the role of local communities as key actors of reconstruction and to the importance of integrating sustainable development and green recovery principles into spatial planning.

The practical significance of the study lies in its applicability to regional and urban planning, development of spatial strategies, and formulation of evidence-based policies for post-war recovery of urban settlements in Ukraine. The proposed typology can be used as an analytical tool for prioritizing reconstruction measures and allocating resources at regional and local levels.