# TCUP 2025 Panel 4: Digital Landscapes February 27, 2025 Maria Montague - [ News ](/news-categories/news) Moderated by Oleksandra Keudel (Kyiv School of Economics), the closing panel of the 2025 TCUP conference explored the role of digital technology and data-driven decision-making in Ukraine’s recovery. ![Panel 4 Panel](/sites/g/files/omnuum4931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__960x960_scale/public/2025-02/panel%204%20screens.jpg?itok=Apfeb4a2) *Photo Credit: Sham Sthankiya*### Visualizing Problems and Solution Scenarios Panelists emphasized that digital technology is a powerful tool for identifying needs and prioritizing reconstruction efforts. Satellite imagery, geospatial data, and digital twins—virtual models that simulate real-world environments using real-time data— allow urban planners to assess damage, simulate rebuilding options, and model different infrastructure scenarios before committing resources. Kateryna Ivanchenko (Center for Innovations Development) highlighted how digital twins are being used in Bucha and Mykolaiv to visualize reconstruction strategies and optimize resource allocation. Corey Scher (City University of New York) emphasized the role of geospatial tools not only in assessing damage but also in anticipating risks. For example, earth observation technologies can detect water pressure buildup in flooded coal mines in eastern Ukraine, allowing preventative action before contamination spreads into ecosystems. ### Addressing Data Gaps Anja Berestetska (United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities) noted that a major challenge for Ukraine’s reconstruction is the limited availability of official data, as many public registries are closed or inaccessible due to wartime conditions. Ivanchenko added that even before the war, Ukraine’s local statistics were insufficient, and this combined with wartime restrictions on official data creates a huge obstacle for rebuilding, with a lack of basic demography on how many people live in a certain area or require schooling. To address this gap, panelists discussed alternative ways to collect data while avoiding security risks in the wartime context. One approach is community-driven data collection, where municipalities and local organizations gather non-sensitive information directly from residents. Berestetska gave an example of a project she worked on in Makariv to improve waste collection infrastructure. Her team organized a participatory digital mapping workshop, allowing local residents to record waste collection points on a shared digital map while also contributing qualitative local knowledge. ### Facilitating Public Engagement The panel explored how digital tools can enhance public engagement in governance, ensuring that citizens' voices are factored into decision-making processes. Santiago Garces (Boston City Administration) shared how AI analysis of public feedback is increasingly being incorporated into urban planning in Boston. Phil Tinn (MIT) also advocated for interactive modeling exercises with key stakeholder groups. As an example from his work, he showed simulations of different placements for public transport stops, which helped participants understand the trade-offs for various options and provide informed input on planning decisions. Both Tinn and Garces emphasized the importance of digital tools in communicating to the public why certain decisions are made and how they have taken public interests into account. Greater transparency fosters greater trust. ![Panel 4, Tinn](/sites/g/files/omnuum4931/files/styles/hwp_1_1__960x960_scale/public/2025-02/tinn%20panel%204.jpg?itok=icEa3q-B) *Photo Credit: Sham Sthankiya*Kateryna Ivanchenko emphasized the importance of involving local populations in all aspects of rebuilding in Ukraine, stressing the message “Don’t do something for me without me”. She shared her experience in developing digital participatory budgeting tools in Kyiv, where 100% electronic voting has been implemented for project selection. She emphasized that this approach reduces corruption risks and ensures a fairer distribution of resources by enabling citizens to directly vote on local development initiatives. She also described her work on the e-Idea platform, a digital tool designed for communities to map their needs—such as missing infrastructure or social services—and provide direct input into Ukraine’s reconstruction planning. ### Ukraine as a Pathfinder Oleksandra Keudel highlighted that Ukraine is at the forefront of digital innovations, particularly in transparency and governance. She pointed to ProZorro, the fully electronic public procurement platform, as a major achievement in anti-corruption efforts, ensuring open access to public tenders. Further initiatives such as [DREAM](https://dream.gov.ua/ua) (a national reconstruction tracking tool) demonstrate Ukraine’s continued progress in digital transparency and accountability, ensuring that rebuilding projects remain publicly accessible and monitored. Summarizing the contributions of the panel, Keudel shared an optimistic outlook on how digital technology can continue to accelerate rebuilding in Ukraine, making it more efficient and transparent while fostering greater public participation and trust in governance. WATCH NOW: [TCUP 2025 Panel 4 — English](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYSJB94pt-c) WATCH NOW: [TCUP 2025 Panel 4 — Ukrainian](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bSJuuUASmQ) Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#)