The Role of Western Cities in the Reconstruction of Ukraine

Abstract

The paper focuses on the long-term challenge of reconstructing Ukraine and the role cities may play in this process. The authors attempt to answer the following research questions: What avenues are available for cities to support or participate in Ukraine’s reconstruction? Are such recovery activities restricted only to the postconflict period, or are they undertaken while the armed conflict is still ongoing? The information has mostly been obtained from the websites of institutions such as the EU Committee of the Regions and city networks like Eurocities, as well as through emails from the International Affairs offices of the examined cities: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Geneva, London, Madrid, Munich, Paris, Stockholm, Strasbourg and The Hague. The authors conclude that avenues that may be utilised by cities to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine include the bilateral channels of the twin or sister cities system and multilateral city networks (both international and national). Furthermore, some reconstruction efforts have already been made, indicating that such activities are not limited to the post-conflict phase.