On August 14-15, more than 100 local government representatives from communities in Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv Oblasts learned the principles and tools of integrated spatial planning during an event organized by the USAID HOVERLA Activity.

The awareness of local governments in spatial planning issues is more important than ever, as from January 1, 2025, a comprehensive spatial development plan will become a mandatory document for every community. This plan defines the community’s long-term development and enables it to manage its territorial resources more effectively.

During the training, experts explained how to start developing this document, how it will contribute to the sustainable development of communities, and the peculiarities of planning under martial law.

Participants learned about modern methods of planning and implementing development projects, as well as the principles of harmonizing spatial and strategic planning systems. With the help of experts, they drew up an action plan.

During the training, local government representatives shared their thoughts and challenges faced by their communities in comprehensive spatial planning. One of them is the destruction caused by Russian shelling. Valerii Marchenko, head of the Izium City Military Administration (Kharkiv Oblast), talked about the consequences of the city's occupation:

“Today, there are many destroyed infrastructure facilities in Izium, burned forests and mined areas. However, before the occupation, the city was a tourist destination. We want to restore our community through comprehensive spatial planning.”

“Comprehensive spatial planning will help to determine in more detail what vacant land is available in our community, where renewable energy sources and alternative types of heating can be placed. Chornomorsk community has already received template model acts on spatial planning from HOVERLA, and we have developed a draft decision and questionnaires,” Oleksandr Korchma, Head of the Energy Efficiency and Grant Activity Department of the Chornomorsk City Council (Odesa Oblast), said.

The USAID HOVERLA Activity continues to support the Ministry for Restoration of Ukraine in developing documents and processes related to spatial planning for communities.