Rebuilding Ukraine: Pathways to Sustainable Reconstruction
21.05.2025
How can a country like Ukraine be rebuilt after a war? What sustainable methods are available and what local materials can be used? These are the questions being addressed by new Fellow Anastasiia Zhuravel, who will be conducting research at RIFS for the next year. Alongside her scientific work, the Ukrainian expert on urban studies is advising a reconstruction project in her home country.
Can you tell us about your chosen field of research?
Anastasiia Zhuravel: My research focuses on critical urban studies, sustainable urban recovery, and the intersection of heritage conservation and ecological resilience. I explore post-conflict urban reconstruction, with a particular focus on Ukraine, integrating traditional building techniques, local resource use, and contemporary sustainability practices. I also examine how war and climate change are transforming urban and rural landscapes. I am particularly interested in adaptive reconstruction strategies that combine vernacular architecture, pre-Soviet building methods, and community-led initiatives. These approaches support not only physical rebuilding but also cultural and ecological resilience.
What topic will you specifically address during your fellowship?
A. Z.: My fellowship project aims to foster knowledge exchange on sustainable reconstruction. I plan to build bridges between architectural expertise, environmental science, and social activism to co-develop inclusive and resilient strategies for rebuilding Ukraine. The project will also explore the role of policy, European integration, and local agency in shaping a sustainable urban future.
Your family is still in Ukraine – please explain a bit their situation so that we can imagine what that means.
A. Z.: Yes, my family has remained in Ukraine and made the conscious decision not to leave. For them, staying is a matter of protecting and preserving their home and territory. Life in Ukraine today means living without truly safe spaces. Every night, air raid alarms sound, and people often spend hours in shelters without sleep. Russia continues its daily attacks on Kyiv and other cities, terrorizing civilians. Destruction has become a daily reality. The resilience of the Ukrainian people is extraordinary: despite everything, they continue to work, create, and rebuild the country with hope and determination.
What approaches do you envision for the reconstruction of your country, particularly in rural areas?
A. Z.: Over the past two years, I have been working on the topic of sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine, participating as an expert on different projects. There are many methodologies emerging, from ecological design to heritage-based planning, and Ukrainian as well as international experts are actively collaborating to implement them.
Rural areas are especially important in Ukraine, as they cover a vast portion of the country's territory. These areas are not only essential for food security and biodiversity, but also for preserving cultural identity. Reconstruction here should focus on supporting local economies, revitalizing traditional knowledge, and building climate-adaptive infrastructures.
Which partners are you in contact with about this, and what is the plan?
A. Z. : Over the years, I have built a strong network of professionals in urbanism, both in Ukraine and internationally. My time at Harvard significantly expanded this network, connecting me with experts, researchers, and institutions working on sustainable development and post-conflict recovery.
Do you want to return to your home country, the south of Ukraine, at some point?
A. Z. : Yes — in fact, I travel to Ukraine regularly. Even during the full-scale war, I have often visited my home there. Most of my current projects are based there, and I am committed to continue my work on the ground. No matter where my academic or professional journey takes me, Ukraine will always be at the centre of my efforts.
