Crossing Borders – Actionable Knowledge for Integrated Urban Development Planning in Ukraine

Authors

  • Frank Schwartze Technical University of Applied Sciences Lübeck image/svg+xml
  • Antonia Breckwoldt Technical University of Applied Sciences Lübeck image/svg+xml
  • Detlef Kurth Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau image/svg+xml
  • Anna Kuzyhshyn Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau image/svg+xml
  • Yana Maksymchuk-Hagelstein
  • Poliksen Qorri-Dragaj Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau image/svg+xml
  • Silke Weidner Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg image/svg+xml
  • Christoph Wessling Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg image/svg+xml
  • Sepideh Zarrin Ghalam Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg image/svg+xml

Downloads

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24306/TrAESOP.2025.01.008

Keywords:

capacity building, master modules, integrated urban development, reconstruction, online/blended learning

Abstract

This paper explores various initiatives that have been implemented with a view to strengthening integrated urban development in Ukraine. It emphasises the importance of actionable knowledge and international academic cooperation and it highlights the challenges posed by Ukraine’s political decentralisation and war-related crises; both have strained urban planning capacities. Programmes such as Ukraine Digital and German- Ukrainian partnerships address these needs through digital education, scholarships, and joint courses. The Competence Platform for Integrated Urban Development presented here offers modular courses, tools, and case studies that promote interdisciplinary learning. Teaching modules include lectures, seminars, design studios, and workshops focused on urban resilience, reconstruction, and participatory planning. These initiatives aim to prepare students and municipalities for sustainable and resilient development. Future goals include establishing dual degree programmes and expanding international cooperation to comprehensively rebuild Ukraine’s cities, in line with the principles of the New Leipzig Charter. 

How to Cite

Schwartze, F., Breckwoldt, A., Kurth, D., Kuzyhshyn, A., Maksymchuk-Hagelstein, Y., Qorri-Dragaj, P., Weidner, S., Wessling, C., & Zarrin Ghalam, S. (2025). Crossing Borders – Actionable Knowledge for Integrated Urban Development Planning in Ukraine. Transactions of the Association of European Schools of Planning, 9(1), 105–118. https://doi.org/10.24306/TrAESOP.2025.01.008

Published

03-11-2025

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2025): Volume 9 / Issue 1 / September 2025 / The Future of Spatial Planning in Ukraine

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Frank Schwartze, Antonia Breckwoldt, Detlef Kurth, Anna Kuzyhshyn, Yana Maksymchuk-Hagelstein, Poliksen Qorri-Dragaj, Silke Weidner, Christoph Wessling, Sepideh Zarrin Ghalam

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

ASAP (Akkreditierungsverbund für Studiengaenge der Architektur und Planung) (2022) Fachliche Kriterien für Stadt- und Raumplanung. Available from: https://www.asap-akkreditierung.de/de/fachrichtungen/stadtplanung-raumplanung [Accessed 03/05/2025].

Deutsche Akademie für Städtebau und Landesplanung e.V. (2024) Basel Theses: Universities as Resources for a Transformative Planning Culture. Available from: https://dasl.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/241106_lay_e_baslerthesen_210x210_x3.pdf [Accessed 03/05/2025].

European Commission (2020) New Leipzig Charter: The Transformative Power of Cities for the Common Good. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/brochure/new_leipzig_charter/new_leipzig_charter_en.pdf [Accessed 30/01/2025, 03/05/2025].

European Commission (2023) New European Bauhaus. Available from: https://new-european-bauhaus.europa.eu/about/about-initiative_en [Accessed 30/01/2025].

EVZ Workshop (2023) ‘Common Spaces’, Drohobych. Available from: https://www.facebook.com/Magicalsaltcities [Accessed 30/01/2025].

Frank, A., Kurth, D. & Mironowicz, I. (2012) ‘Accreditation and quality assurance for professional degree programmes: comparing approaches in three European countries.’ Quality in Higher Education, 18(1), pp. 75–95. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13538322.2012.669910

Frank, A. & Kurth, D. (2010) ‘Planning education in Germany: impact of the Bologna Agreement.’ disP – The Planning Review, 46(182), pp. 25–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/02513625.2010.10557099 panforukraine platform (2025) Panforukraine. Available from: http://www.panforukraine.de [Accessed 30/01/2025]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02513625.2010.10557099

Steinkemper, M. & Vlasenko, Y. (2024) Background Paper on the Governance and Legal Framework for Spatial Planning and Reconstruction in Ukraine. UNESCE, UN4Ukrainian Cities.

Urbanyna (2023) Urbanyna. Available from: https://www.urbanyna.com/en/home [Accessed 30/01/2025].

Wagner, M., Knieling, J. & Weiland, U. (2024) ‘The great transformation for sustainable spatial development as a challenge for university education.’ Raumforschung und Raumordnung | Spatial Research and Planning, 82(5). https://doi.org/10.14512/rur.2533 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14512/rur.2533

Weidner, S., Terletsky, M. & Viderman, T. (2018–2020) CityMakers Course I & II: City Makers Lviv, Urban Development in Lviv. Available from: https://www-docs.b-tu.de/fg-stadtmanagement/public/CityMakers2_Terletsky_Weidner_Viderman_new.pdf [Accessed 30/01/2025].