Housing and Land Management

Kharkiv, the second most populous city in Ukraine situated just 30 km from the Russian border, is among the urban areas most affected by the war and the target of renewed shelling over the last weeks.  

Ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin on 11 – 12 June 2024, UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean visited Kyiv from 4 to 6 June to discuss UNECE support for the country’s reconstruction and recovery with Ukrainian government officials, the United Nations Country Team, the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, and other international partners.    

As part of the new Masterplan Concept being developed for Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second most populous city, the Norman Foster Foundation along with the Kharkiv City Council, the UNECE UN4UkrainianCities Initiative, Arup, the Kharkivproject Institute and Buildner are launching an international competition to upgrade housing and residential neighbourhoods in the city. 

A joint assessment by the Government of Ukraine, the World Bank Group, the European Commission and the UN released in March 2023 estimated the cost of reconstruction and recovery at USD 411 billion. As the destruction of the war continues, UNECE is stepping up its support in preparation for recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine’s urban areas. 

Housing affordability: a key challenge  

Leaders from over 40 cities worldwide have reaffirmed the value of sharing experience, knowhow and partnerships as part of an inclusive multilateral process at the Third UNECE Forum of Mayors.  

City representatives shared their experiences in finding urban regeneration solutions that meet the needs and aspirations of their citizens, strengthen resilience to disasters and respond to climate change, supporting implementation of the 2030 Agenda. 

Faced with complex challenges of rapid urbanization, the cities of Almaty (Kazakhstan) and Podgorica (Montenegro) will benefit from new UNECE recommendations to help sharpen their efforts for smart and sustainable development.

The 3rd Forum of Mayors will bring together some 50 city leaders from around the world at the United Nations in Geneva on 2-3 October to share practical experiences of urban regeneration, and to help harness cities’ unique role in addressing some of the key challenges of our time.