Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, has suffered severe damage since Russia’s full-scale invasion, with about 13,000 buildings damaged or destroyed, including around 10,000 residential units. This has left roughly 160,000 people without homes as daily shelling continues.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Kharkiv’s mayor Ihor Terekhov emphasizes the need to rebuild now to prevent lasting devastation and enable the return of displaced residents. "We need to rebuild regardless of the war," he says, noting that without reconstruction, only ruins will remain.
Supported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s UN4UkrainianCities initiative, the city is working to address both emergency needs and long-term planning for a smarter, greener, and more resilient future. Architect and programme manager Thâmara Fortes states that emergency work and recovery should proceed together to ensure current efforts align with broader urban development goals.
The reconstruction strategy includes a new master plan focusing on sustainable infrastructure, affordable housing, innovative public spaces, and economic renewal. The North Saltivka district, heavily damaged during the conflict, is a site for pilot projects testing architectural and technical solutions.
This approach combines strategic planning with immediate technical measures, reflecting a commitment to rebuild Kharkiv’s urban environment comprehensively despite ongoing hostilities.