New urbanism of reconstruction in a post-conflict environment: paradigms and principles of restoring the architectural fund destroyed as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian war

Abstract

Conflict-affected cities, particularly those in Ukraine, face long-term challenges associated not only with the consequences of war but also with the need for sustainable and integrated reconstruction. The complexity of recovery processes has expanded beyond traditional issues of post-war restoration, preservation of urban heritage, and rebuilding of iconic elements of the built environment to include challenges related to decision-making efficiency, resource management, technological implementation, and financing mechanisms. These factors often lead to prolonged reconstruction cycles lacking coherent long-term planning and management. The full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war has resulted in extensive destruction of residential, public, and industrial facilities, making the prompt, high-quality, and resource-efficient restoration of infrastructure and architectural heritage a national priority. Modern reconstruction strategies increasingly rely on digital and innovative technologies, including BIM, GIS, artificial intelligence, digital twins, and additive manufacturing. However, reconstruction planning focused exclusively on urgent functional needs often leads to the neglect of New Urbanism principles, resulting in fragmented urban environments and the formation of disconnected spatial structures. This article aims to systematize global and Ukrainian paradigms, practices, and case studies of post-conflict reconstruction of destroyed architectural assets within the framework of New Urbanism principles. The methodological basis of the research includes comparative analysis of international reconstruction cases, synthesis of technological and urban planning approaches, and generalization of decision-making models applied in post-war recovery. Particular attention is given to the integration of digital technologies into sustainable urban redevelopment strategies and the preservation of urban identity. The results highlight the importance of aligning technological reconstruction processes with holistic urban development concepts, emphasizing walkability, mixed-use planning, community participation, and environmental sustainability. The proposed conceptual approach contributes to the formation of a resilient and adaptive reconstruction paradigm suitable for the restoration of Ukrainian cities affected by military aggression.