TCUP 2025 Panel 3: The (Re)Built Environment
Moderated by Johnathon Vsetecka (Nova Southeastern University), the third panel of the 2025 TCUP Conference explored the challenges and opportunities of reconstruction in Ukraine. Panelists emphasized that rebuilding is not just about restoring lost structures but about shaping the country’s future—one that is sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.
Reconstruction as a continuous process
Eve Blau (Harvard University) highlighted that with war and environmental disasters becoming more frequent and widespread across the world, rebuilding has become “the most important task and concern of the design and planning disciplines today.” Construction is increasingly becoming a continuous reconstruction: remediation, repair, conservation, and reuse, intervening in an existing context where something is already there.
Furthermore, as Ukraine’s example shows, the process of rebuilding homes and communities cannot afford to wait until wars end; it must begin when conflicts are ongoing. Blau recounted her experience of teaching a course at Harvard on rebuilding in Ukraine, with Ukrainian architects joining classes via Zoom and relating their first-hand experiences of reconstruction during wartime.
Building Back Better
Bart Gruyaert (Neo-Eco Ukraine) advocated a circular economy approach to rebuilding, viewing war rubble as a resource rather than waste. He cited one of Neo-Eco’s rebuilding projects in Hostomel where they processed 500,000 tonnes of debris, achieving a 90% material reuse rate. He stressed that reconstruction is not just about restoring structures but about rethinking environments for the future, making use of low-carbon cement, soil-based materials, and bio-based alternatives like straw wood. “It doesn’t cost more time to build better”, he argued, “it just takes courage.”
Bogdan Kelichavyi (Mayor of Kopychyntsi, Ternopil region) highlighted the need for thoughtful reconstruction that adapts to Ukraine’s dramatically shifting demographics. War has displaced millions, and rebuilding cannot be based on pre-war assumptions. Rushing to reconstruct without careful planning may be psychologically comforting but risks inefficiency and long-term consequences.
Juliy Morozov (Stop Poisoning Kryvyi Rih) noted that reconstruction provides an opportunity to reevaluate long-standing structural issues. He pointed to the amalgamation of unviable village schools in the Kherson region—a politically sensitive topic before the full-scale invasion—that has now been embraced as a necessary and even positive step for optimizing local resources.
Public Participation in Rebuilding
The panelists underscored that successful reconstruction must be locally driven and community-centered. Morozov warned that too often, large-scale rebuilding projects fail to consider local needs, leading to underused or ineffective infrastructure. He urged donors to consult with communities before launching rebuilding efforts: “It’s about life. Because you can build, you can rebuild, construct, reconstruct—but you will need life in these facilities.”
Gruyaert shared how engaging residents in Hostomel led to unexpected and valuable input, including requests for a new memorial that integrated both World War II history and the current war. Kelichavyi underlined that reconstruction works best when it is decentralized, empowering local governments to lead the process. He warned against Soviet-era top-down planning approaches, which risk ignoring the specific needs of different regions.
Beyond physical reconstruction, panelists emphasized the human dimension of rebuilding. Kelichavyi and Gruyaert highlighted efforts to employ war veterans in rubble clearance, recognizing their discipline, expertise with explosives, and need for reintegration. In small towns, where nearly everyone has lost a family member or friend, rebuilding must also address psychological recovery and social cohesion. Morozov spoke about his organization’s work to transform an abandoned building into a recovery center for veterans and civilians. He emphasized that rebuilding must go beyond architecture—it must create spaces that restore people’s sense of belonging and purpose.
Blau added a historical perspective, warning that past post-war rebuilding efforts—such as WWII reconstruction under the Marshall Plan—often erased historical and cultural continuity in favor of rapid modernization. She argued that understanding a place’s history is essential to ensuring innovative yet contextually appropriate rebuilding.
Ensuring Equality in the Rebuilding Process
The panel raised concerns about the unequal distribution of reconstruction aid, with high-profile cities like Bucha and Irpin receiving disproportionate attention, while equally devastated but less-publicized regions struggle to attract resources.
Gruyaert advocated for data-driven, needs-based assessments using tools like AI-powered satellite mapping to ensure a fairer allocation of reconstruction funds. Morozov spoke about the challenges of coordinating bottom-up initiatives with national and international aid structures. He highlighted that onerous donor requirements often make aid inaccessible to the worst-affected regions, citing examples of where rigid criteria fail to account for local realities. He called for greater flexibility and respect for local expertise, ensuring that funding reaches those who need it most.
The panelists agreed that rural areas, particularly near the frontlines, face the greatest challenges. Many of these communities have lost much of their younger population and lack the visibility and lobbying power to attract major funding. Kelichavyi noted that while high-functioning municipalities have managed to proactively secure aid, those without strong leadership risk being left behind.
Small Victories and Long-Term Vision
The panel concluded on an optimistic note, recognizing that every successful reconstruction project—whether a renovated school, an energy-efficient housing upgrade, or a new veterans’ center—represents a small victory against Russian aggression. Gruyaert stressed that while Ukraine faces immense challenges, the country is responding with remarkable innovations. In Blau’s view, “reconstruction is not about return – it's about moving forward.”
WATCH NOW: TCUP 2025 Panel 3 — English
WATCH NOW: TCUP 2025 Panel 3 — Ukrainian