For Mykolaiv, a strategic industrial and maritime center in southern Ukraine whose identity is deeply intertwined with its geography and maritime heritage, the dramatic condition of the war that has now lasted for three years became a catalyst for rethinking its urban future. Even before the conflict began, the city faced complex demographic, social, and spatial challenges. In the decades following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Mykolaiv was already undergoing a difficult transition from a centralised, heavy-industrial economy to a more diversified, service-oriented model.
A masterplan to redefine the future of Mykolaiv, Ukraine
For the Ukrainian city, a historic industrial center connected to the Black Sea, the drama of the war was the catalyst that prompted a radical rethinking of its destiny.
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- Alessia Macchiavello
- 11 July 2025
This deindustrialisation period was marked by economic contraction, ageing infrastructure, and a search for a new urban identity. This laid the foundation for a change that the current conflict has made even more urgent and unavoidable. The development of a strategic approach that would start from these needs and map out a new future perspective for the city is a key component of the UNECE (the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) UN4UkrainianCities initiative, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
The initiative was established at the request of the Ministry for Communities, Territories Development and Infrastructure of Ukraine, to provide support to both national and local governments in Ukraine, to assist with the development of concept master plans to support cities, such as Mykolaiv, to “build back better” implemented by the UNECE. As part of the UN4UkrainianCities initiative, One Works and One Works Foundation led the design of the city-wide concept master plan to support the swift recovery and long-term reconstruction of the city.
Even amidst destruction, there lies an opportunity to reimagine urban life in more just, inclusive, and sustainable ways.
A path in which One Works involved an international task force of industry experts, including Politecnico di Milano, LIUC University, COWI, LAND, Systematica, Visionary Analytics, Fondazione Housing Sociale and GISdevio, to comprehensively address Mykolaiv’s current challenges. Together, this team of expertise has developed strategic guidelines for the city’s successful and sustainable reconstruction. During the initial phase of the assessment, the team faced a formidable challenge in capturing a comprehensive snapshot of the city with its needs and aspirations.
This task was particularly demanding as it required delving into the essence of the city’s character before the onset of the conflict. Building on a robust community engagement plan, including online consultations, surveys, and capacity-building workshops, local residents and businesses shared and discussed their views on the future of Mykolaiv.
A successful planning is not just about what is built, but about how, by whom, and for what long-term vision it is built.
Developing a concept master plan for a city in crisis requires indeed more than technical expertise: it demands an adaptive, inclusive, and resilient methodology that accounts for dynamic local conditions.
In Mykolaiv’s case, the project method reflected a hybrid of traditional planning techniques and post-crisis recovery strategies, synthesised through participatory design, systems thinking, and scenario-based modelling. The methodological approach adopted for Mykolaiv was intentionally flexible, deeply participatory, and strategically grounded. It recognised that in a post-conflict environment, successful planning is not just about what is built, but about how, by whom, and for what long-term vision it is built.
The concept master plan articulates a bold vision: transforming Mykolaiv from a post-industrial, war-affected city into a resilient, liveable, and economically diversified urban centre. The goal is to create strategic guidelines for successful revitalisation, ensuring the city’s future development is sustainable, resilient, and beneficial to all residents. Additionally, the plan aims to stimulate economic growth by attracting investment, creating jobs, and enhancing the overall quality of life in the city.
As part of this strategy, the identification of some “pilot projects” (see next pages) served as a mechanism to operationalize the plan and attract early investment.
Developing a concept master plan for a city in crisis requires indeed more than technical expertise: it demands an adaptive, inclusive, and resilient methodology.
These projects were chosen not only for their potential impact but also for their ability to demonstrate feasibility, mobilise public-private partnerships, and build institutional learning. Each pilot included a detailed implementation roadmap, financial model, and risk assessment, making them viable components within a broader reconstruction agenda.
The urban strategy for Mykolaiv offers more than a plan for physical reconstruction; it is a multidimensional vision rooted in the values of sustainability, equity, and innovation. The blueprint recognises that post-conflict recovery must balance immediate infrastructure needs with long-term systemic transformation.
In Mykolaiv’s case, the comprehensive integration of economic, social, environmental, and cultural aspects creates a unique model of urban regeneration, one that other cities in Ukraine and beyond may find instructive. Furthermore, Mykolaiv’s reconstruction should be seen as part of a national and global discourse on the future of cities under stress — from climate change to conflict. It underscores the necessity of investing in urban systems that are not only efficient but also equitable, modern as well as humane. The Mykolaiv master plan is a testament to the capacity of cities to reinvent themselves in the face of adversity. It illustrates that even amidst destruction, there lies an opportunity to reimagine urban life in more just, inclusive, and sustainable ways.
Opening image: Aerial view of the Zavods’kyi residential district in Mykolaiv. Above, a view of the shipyard basin and the city airport structure, badly damaged by the bombing.