Public presentation in Kyiv
In Kyiv, a public discussion was held on the Concept of the Urban Planning Code of Ukraine, which is positioned as an alternative to the controversial draft law No. 5655 on “urban planning reform.” That bill was approved by parliament in 2023 but never signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky after heavy criticism.
The new Code covers a wide range of urban planning aspects:
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spatial planning, design and construction,
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operation and liquidation of facilities,
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land management and restoration,
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ecology and monument protection,
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transport and civil protection.
Its core principle is “people-centricity” and compliance with European standards, aiming to ensure reconstruction on the principle of “better than it was.”
Decentralization and community rights
Hanna Bondar, Head of the Working Group and People’s Deputy, emphasized that the Code should complete decentralization and give more powers to cities:
“We want to create a system where the strongest does not win, but the voice of the community is taken into account. This is the path to fair construction and harmonious development of territories.”
The initiative aims to let cities set their own building rules within unified national standards, ensuring fair competition and greater responsibility at the local level.
Key provisions of the Concept
The working draft of the Urban Planning Code proposes:
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flexible planning mechanisms,
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copyright protection and professional risk insurance,
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development of self-regulatory organizations,
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transparent competitive practices,
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focus on restoring cultural heritage damaged by Russian aggression,
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integration of circular economy principles,
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economic tools to implement reconstruction priorities.
Why the reform is needed
The controversial bill No. 5655 and subsequent government attempts to push through similar resolutions were sharply criticized by the European Parliament and the European Commission for risks of corruption and excessive influence of large developers.
Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction Oleksiy Kuleba admitted that in Ukraine, expertise in construction projects often becomes a formality: designers act as customers of expertise without tenders, and approvals can be “bought.” This situation benefits big developers while undermining transparency.
Analyst Heorhiy Mohylny also noted that architects and design engineers are often used as cover for corruption schemes, signing off on projects without accountability.
Bottom line
The Urban Planning Code Concept seeks to rebuild trust in the sector by ensuring transparency, strengthening local governance, and aligning Ukraine with European urban development standards. Its adoption could mark a decisive step away from scandal-ridden reforms toward a modern, community-oriented urban policy.
