Rebuilding Ukraine: How New Standards Will Protect the Future of Ukrainian Cities
Author: Denys Kostrzhevskyi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Kyiv International Airport
Ukraine has witnessed the horrors of war firsthand—missile strikes on critical infrastructure, millions of people left without electricity or heating in major cities, and thousands forced to flee their homes. The war has exposed the vulnerability of vital infrastructure and how quickly cities can freeze and decay without energy support.
Today, the concept of rebuilding Ukraine cannot be limited to merely restoring damaged buildings. It must account for all the challenges war has presented: the need for autonomous housing complexes, enhanced protection for critical facilities, and the integration of bomb shelters in all new constructions, especially in schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and residential buildings. This marks a new era in Ukrainian construction, where safety and resilience become top priorities.
Let’s take a closer look at how new building standards will help us create safer, more autonomous, and more resilient cities in the face of external threats.
Transparency and Reform in the Construction Sector
One of the most important challenges in post-war reconstruction will be overcoming the corrupt schemes that have dominated the construction industry for years. To ensure effective recovery, the government has implemented several reforms, the most significant of which is the abolition of the State Architectural and Construction Inspectorate (DABI) and the creation of a new body—the State Inspection of Architecture and Urban Planning (DIAM).
These changes aim to increase transparency, minimize bureaucratic delays, and introduce new construction standards. For instance, the Unified State Electronic System in the Field of Construction (EDESB) has been implemented, automating most processes—from submitting applications to issuing construction permits. This reduces the risk of corruption by eliminating human influence in key decision-making.
An essential aspect of these reforms is the introduction of the “tacit consent” principle. During martial law, this mechanism accelerates the process of obtaining permits: if the authority does not respond within a specified timeframe, the permit is automatically considered granted. This is particularly important for the restoration of damaged infrastructure and the construction of new facilities.
The reform also introduces new licensing rules. Licenses for high-complexity projects (CC2 and CC3) will only be valid if new standards are met. This ensures that developers comply with all construction norms, improving the quality and safety of new buildings.
These changes aim to create an efficient, transparent, and reliable system that will not only rebuild the country after the war but also make the construction process more resilient and trustworthy for investors and the citizens of Ukraine.
Safety and Reliability: New Standards for Rebuilding Housing and Social Infrastructure
Reforming the construction industry and ensuring transparency are important steps, but Ukraine’s reconstruction must also re-evaluate the approach to safety and reliability based on wartime experience. The missile strikes by Russian forces have demonstrated the vulnerability of residential buildings, schools, hospitals, and other social infrastructure. Thus, new safety standards must become an integral part of modern construction.
One of the main challenges is the integration of bomb shelters into residential complexes, hospitals, schools, and kindergartens. This approach is successfully used in Israel, where every new building must include specially equipped protective rooms that can quickly serve as shelters in the event of danger. Ukraine can adopt this experience, integrating shelters not only in large residential complexes but also in individual houses. This will ensure the safety of residents regardless of their location during a threat.
In addition to residential buildings, it is essential to create safe zones in social infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, as well as in places with large gatherings of people—train stations, markets, shopping centers, and entertainment venues. In Israel, schools are built with potential threats in mind, allowing quick evacuation of students and staff to safe rooms. Every school is equipped with a shelter that can be used for daily activities but also provides reliable protection during attacks.
Addressing New Challenges: Autonomous Buildings
The experience of mass power outages in Ukrainian cities during the war highlights the need for autonomous energy sources in residential complexes. Today, every construction project must include provisions for installing generators, energy storage systems, and solar panels. This ensures that residential buildings and social facilities are not only secure but also autonomous during critical situations, making these structures more resilient to external threats.
In addition to bomb shelters and autonomy, it is essential to utilize modern technology for monitoring building safety. Advanced systems can track the condition of structures, timely alerting about risks and automatically initiating evacuation in case of danger. In Israel, such systems are used not only in residential buildings but also in government facilities, ensuring prompt response to emergencies.
Urban Planning of the Future: Comfort and Safety as Key Elements of Reconstruction
Rebuilding Ukraine’s cities is not just about returning to their former state. Today, we have the opportunity not only to restore what was destroyed but also to create cities that are more modern, safer, and comfortable for living. One of the leading approaches is the concept of the “15-minute city,” which is gaining popularity in many countries around the world. It envisions that all necessary services—schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and stores—should be within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from any point in the city. This approach enhances residents’ quality of life while reducing dependence on cars and promoting environmental sustainability.
This concept is already being actively implemented in cities like Paris, Milan, and Copenhagen. Kyiv also has several projects demonstrating how these ideas can be realized. For example, the RiverStone and Holosievo residential complexes by MISKZHITLOBUD reflect the principles of proper urban planning. These complexes are designed so that residents have access to all necessary social infrastructure: schools, kindergartens, medical facilities, stores, and sports grounds are all within the complex. This not only improves the quality of life but also aligns with global trends in urban development.
Ukraine can also draw lessons from Israel, which has extensive experience in ensuring city safety. In Israel’s new buildings, bomb shelters (miklat) are standard, allowing residents to take cover quickly during a threat. Given the growing threat of missile strikes, this practice could be effectively adopted in Ukraine.
Integrating New Security Systems in European Cities: Lessons from Ukraine
European cities, closely observing the war in Ukraine, are already beginning to implement new systems to ensure urban security in the face of potential threats. Ukraine’s experience has highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure such as power grids, water supply systems, and transport networks, which can be easily damaged during military conflicts or terrorist attacks. As a result, European cities are adapting their infrastructure by integrating several key systems:
- Alternative energy sources. European cities are actively integrating solar and wind power plants to provide autonomous energy supply in case of central grid failure. This ensures continued functionality even during crises.
- Protected bomb shelters. Ukraine’s war has shown the critical importance of protecting civilians during attacks. Hence, European cities are increasingly recognizing the need to include bomb shelters as mandatory features in new residential and public buildings.
- Autonomous water and heating systems. To prevent humanitarian crises during conflicts or other emergencies, cities are implementing systems that guarantee stable water and heat supply.
- Rapid infrastructure restoration technologies. Mobile solutions for restoring power and communication networks are being developed, enabling cities to quickly return to normal operations after damage.
- Digital monitoring and control systems. Modern technologies allow real-time monitoring of urban infrastructure, enabling quick responses to any damage and preventing further disruptions.
These systems, currently being introduced in European cities, are a response to the new challenges Ukraine has faced and are actively discussed at the European Union level to strengthen protection against future threats.
This is No Longer an Option—It’s a Necessity
Today, Ukraine faces extraordinary challenges that leave no room for delay. The war has exposed weaknesses that we could previously ignore. Now, our safety and the safety of future generations depend on how we approach the reconstruction of our country. This is not just about returning to a “normal” state—it’s about readiness for any threats that may arise in the future for our country and its citizens.
Safe and autonomous residential complexes, integrated bomb shelters, and reliable critical infrastructure must become the new standards for Ukrainian cities. We must build cities that can withstand any test, creating spaces where every resident feels protected and confident about the future. Our task is not only to rebuild what has been destroyed but to provide a new level of protection and quality of life.
This is no longer an option or a chance—it is a necessity that we must implement today.