On 5 August 2025, the website of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine published information about the signing by the President of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Ensuring Conditions for the Development of Digital Infrastructure’ (No.9549).

In addition to regulating the use of land plots for digital network development, the law provides for the postponement of the mandatory implementation of Spatial Development Plans (SDPs) until 1 January 2028.

Why is this decision important?

Spatial Development Plans (SDPs) are a strategic tool that enables communities to plan the use of their territory systematically, balancing the needs of development and investment, safety, and environmental sustainability. In peacetime, the SDP focuses on effective space management. In times of full-scale war, however, they also facilitate adaptation to new realities, such as destruction, displacement and the critical need for reconstruction.

In the context of Russia’s military aggression, many communities have undergone significant physical, demographic and economic changes. At the same time, resources are limited and priorities are changing constantly. In such circumstances, the requirement to quickly adopt the SDP without adequate analysis or professional preparation posed risks to the quality of the plans themselves and to the sustainability of the decisions made on their basis.

Space for quality work

In fact, Law No. 9549 gives communities an additional two years to develop and approve the SDP. This decision enables them to:

• Engage specialists in urban studies, spatial planning, architecture and engineering

• Conduct a professional analysis of the consequences of destruction and changes to the territory's functional load

• Take into account the new challenges, ranging from the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to the restoration of infrastructure and the creation of a safe environment

• Involve the community and business in discussing the vision of the future of each locality