Housing reconstruction and new safety standards: Ukraine presented its national pavilion for the first time at the World Urban Forum (WUF13)

Ukraine is participating in the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), where it presents a national pavilion under the slogan “Ukraine: Rebuilding Our Future at Home.” This event is one of the UN’s key global platforms where a vision for the future of cities, communities, housing policy, and infrastructure is shaped.

The delegation is led by Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksii Kuleba. The delegation includes Oleksii Riabikin, Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine; Yegor Perelygin, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine; Anatolii Komirny, Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine; and Mykola Kalashnyk, Head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration. Representatives of local government include Ihor Terekhov, city head of Kharkiv; Anatolii Fedoruk, city head of Bucha; Anzhela Makeyeva, Secretary of the Irpin City Council; and others.

The central exhibit in the Ukraine pavilion is a model of a house in Borodianka that was destroyed as a result of russian aggression and aftermath rebuilt to modern standards. This demonstrates how Ukraine is restoring what was destroyed to a better state than before and implementing modern global standards: from energy efficiency and accessibility to the creation of reliable security solutions.

“The unique solutions in the areas of rapid recovery and housing programs that Ukraine is presenting at WUF13 are the result of the extremely complex challenges our country has faced due to full-scale russian aggression. By destroying our cities and villages, the enemy is trying to deprive Ukrainians of their homes, but we are transforming this painful experience into new standards of safety and resilience.

Our goal at this forum is to share Ukraine’s unique experience in overcoming the consequences of large-scale destruction of the housing sector caused by russian aggression, to consolidate international support, and to attract investments to scale up compensation programs and comprehensive community reconstruction,” notes Oleksii Kuleba.

Investments are needed for urban reconstruction, housing programs, and compensation for victims. To launch these projects, the immediate investment need is USD 3.9 billion, although the total need for housing reconstruction in Ukraine is significantly higher and is estimated (according to RDNA5) at USD 88 billion. At the same time, there are over 4.6 million officially registered internally displaced persons in Ukraine.

“And that is why it is fundamentally important to us that the world clearly understands the source of this crisis on such international platforms. russia is striking Ukrainian cities, residential neighborhoods, the energy sector, schools, hospitals, and critical infrastructure on a daily basis. It is russian aggression that has created one of the largest humanitarian and housing crises in Europe in recent decades.”

“That is why we firmly believe that a country that systematically destroys cities and the homes of civilians cannot claim to be a participant in the global discussion on a sustainable urban future, community development, or reconstruction,” emphasized Oleksii Kuleba.

The national pavilion showcases effective mechanisms in the housing sector and Ukraine’s reconstruction needs.

In particular, under the state program eVidnovlennia, over 196,000 families have already received compensation for destroyed or damaged housing over the past three years. Additionally, effective mechanisms include the preferential mortgage lending program, which has already benefited over 2,400 families, and the concept of social housing with affordable rent.

In addition, Ukraine is sharing its experience in comprehensive reconstruction. This involves not only the reconstruction of damaged or destroyed buildings on a project-by-project basis, but also the creation of a modern, safe, and energy-efficient environment that meets people’s needs. Currently, comprehensive reconstruction is underway in Borodianka in Kyiv region, Yagidne in Chernihiv region, Posad-Pokrovske in Kherson region, and Trostianets in Sumy region.

Within the Ukrainian pavilion, a symbolic installation developed by “Cultural Forces” was presented—a model of an underground school, above which a park and a playground have been built. This structure symbolizes Ukraine’s new reality. Ukraine is investing in underground solutions solely to protect people and maintain a relatively normal life above ground.

The World Urban Forum (WUF) is a global platform under the auspices of the United Nations (UN-Habitat) that brings together heads of state, international partners, and leading experts every two years to discuss strategies for sustainable urban development and community resilience.

Participation in an event of this level allows Ukraine to integrate its recovery agenda into global architectural and urban planning trends, as well as to establish direct dialogue with key international institutions. For Ukraine, the forum serves as a strategic platform for consolidating efforts with global donors and securing international support.