A smart indicator concept for post-war resilient development of Ukrainian cities

Abstract

In recent decades, cities in Ukraine have undergone market-driven transformations, each following unique paths of development influenced by geographic, geopolitical, and regional factors. National and local policies have shaped these trajectories, with a growing emphasis on Smart City (SC) strategies. However, the onset of Russia’s war against Ukraine in February 2022 disrupted the development of such strategies, introducing new challenges and uncertainties for Ukraine’s cities. In the post war period they will face multiple challenges, including damaged infrastructure, decreased quality of life, and hindered economic development. Facing these pre-conditions for urban development, this paper addresses the necessity of a place-based SC indicator concept, which follows the intrinsic logic of the disaster cycle for resilient urban development and integrative policies. Hence, the theoretical and methodological basis of the study is made up of the fundamental provisions of urbanism supported and triggered by the concept of smart and resilient cities. Based on the disaster cycle the meaning of a place-based understanding of SC development is introduced which strongly impacts the type and quality of indicators. The empirical part briefly introduces into the differentiated urban development of Ukraine cities and experiences with SC activities. A SC indicator concept, unlike the existing conceptions, is adapted to the Ukrainian statistical base, supplemented with indicators that take into account the specifics of post-war urban development at the stages of recovery, adaptation and transformation.