The examples from Ukraine showed that integrated urban development can still be promoted despite war and reconstruction

Svitlana Usychenko from the Ro3kvit organization explained the principles of integrated urban planning in the wake of the war and reconstruction.

For example, Mykolaiv explained how they are pushing ahead with integrated urban planning despite the lack of a water supply. Sergey Kurinev, Deputy Mayor Mykolaiv presented the master plan process in Mykolaiv (see picture).

The city of Vinnitsya showed how, before the war, it was named the most liveable city in Ukraine using integrated urban development tools. Today, the city has a large number of internally displaced persons and manages to maintain the quality of life of refugees and residents through the networks and methods of integrated urban development (participation, cooperation with civil society actors).

The subsequent discussion amongst the panelists made it clear that the focus in Ukraine is now primarily on issues of resilience and, that large sums of funds must be mobilized to rebuild the cities. It also became clear that local self-government is severely restricted due to centralization during the war and the financial contributions made by municipalities to the military budget. German municipalities reaffirmed their willingness to support and cooperate within the framework of municipal partnerships to take integrated urban development into account in the course of reconstruction.

The subsequent discussion amongst the panelists made it clear that the focus in Ukraine is now primarily on issues of resilience and, that large sums of funds must be mobilized to rebuild the cities. It also became clear that local self-government is severely restricted due to centralization during the war and the financial contributions made by municipalities to the military budget. German municipalities reaffirmed their willingness to support and cooperate within the framework of municipal partnerships to take integrated urban development into account in the course of reconstruction.

The motto of the partnership conference "Together for Europe: Solidarity, Reconstruction, Future Prospects" ran like a common thread through all the contributions. The Ukrainian participants emphasized the importance of German support.

"Ukraine cannot survive without European help. But the future of Europe also depends on Ukraine. A democratic Europe needs a strong Ukraine," says Vitaliy Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv and Chairman of the Association of Ukrainian Cities

The German side emphasized that it stands firmly by Ukraine's side and will not let up with its support. The municipalities have a special role to play here.

"Every town twinning between a German and a Ukrainian municipality strengthens links to Europe. Each of these town twinning partnerships helps to pave Ukraine's way into the European Union," said Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, describing this importance.

Around 550 representatives from cities, districts and associations accepted the invitation to the sixth German-Ukrainian municipal partnership conference to spend two days discussing strategies for reconstruction and up to 500 other people followed the discussions via livestream. The network was also strengthened, and two new German-Ukrainian town twinning agreements were signed. Since the beginning of the war, the number of these town twinnings has grown from 76 to 190 - another sign of the great solidarity.

Cities and districts can shape the reconstruction in a targeted manner and also make a decisive contribution with their universities, clinics and companies providing municipal services of general interest by providing tailor-made support and thus using funds efficiently and through the important transfer of know-how and technology.