The Urban Planning Cadastre in Ukraine
More than 1,300 Ukrainian communities have joined the national Urban Planning Cadastre, with 99% of them now authorized to manage urban planning documentation. This digital system centralizes data on construction, land use planning, utility networks, and zoning restrictions, empowering communities to manage their development more strategically.
Launched into full operation last year, the state-level cadastre already contains 5,893 sets of urban planning documents. Notably, 1,178 communities (88%) access the system through dedicated online portals, giving them direct use of digital tools for territorial planning. This initiative is part of a broader push to modernize governance and rebuild infrastructure with greater transparency.
Community Engagement and Collaboration
The cadastre is a joint project of Ukraine's Ministry for Communities and Territories Development and the Ministry of Digital Transformation. Implementation is supported by the UK DIGIT project, run by the Eurasia Foundation with funding from UK Dev, and in partnership with the Eastern Europe Foundation.
'Our priority is to implement clear and transparent rules for territorial development. Communities have actively joined the system. They now have the ability to work with digital planning tools, formulate and publish urban planning documentation, and ensure transparent access to it for the state, businesses, and citizens.' Oleksii Kuleba, Vice Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine
The most active regions utilizing the Urban Planning Cadastre's capabilities are:
- Poltava Oblast
- Lviv Oblast
- Volyn Oblast
- Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast
- Kirovohrad Oblast
Overall, 215 design organizations and 11 expert organizations are involved in the process, fostering urban development nationwide. The cadastre's full operation, integration with state registries, and transparent planning give communities real influence over their growth while providing the state with a controlled and clear framework for reconstruction.
The introduction of the Urban Planning Cadastre marks a significant step in reforming Ukraine's construction sector. By providing communities with tools for more effective development management, the system not only improves land-use planning but also increases transparency in dealings with businesses and citizens. These changes lay a foundation for the sustainable development of cities and villages, which is crucial for the country's ongoing recovery and resilience efforts.