ANNUAL CONGRESS 2025

Pathways to Just Energy Transitions in Post-Conflict Ukrainian Cities

Not scheduled

20m

Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul

Oral SS 01 | Planning for Just Energy Transition

Speaker

Dr Kasia Piskorek (Wroclaw University of Science and Technology)

Description

Achieving just energy transition in post-conflict Ukrainian cities requires addressing multiple layers of transformation. As Ukraine moves toward EU membership, aligning its energy transition with EU climate and energy policies is essential for joining related programmes and fostering inclusive and resilient urban development (Energy Community, 2024). This transition goes beyond decarbonisation, aiming to ensure that the benefits and burdens of energy reforms are distributed equitably, preventing social exclusion and energy poverty (Bouzarovski and Simcock, 2017). More importantly, developing comprehensive strategies for post-war redevelopment is essential to ensuring a coordinated and effective reconstruction process, mitigating disruptions, and facilitating sustainable recovery (Lukash and Namoniuk, 2024).

Ukraine is currently facing numerous challenges. The course of the war and its potential outcomes, especially in light of recent geopolitical developments, have made the situation increasingly difficult. However, when focusing specifically on the energy transition, it becomes evident that addressing these challenges through targeted reforms and preparing adequate strategies can support more resilient urban development and alignment with EU standards (European Commission Joint Research Centre, 2025).

Consequently, in addition to providing an overview of the Ukrainian context, this study firstly draws on the experiences of Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries to illustrate how post-socialist states navigated urban transitions during their EU accession. It also examines the challenges they currently encounter in moving towards carbon neutrality, aligning policies with EU frameworks, and addressing regional inequalities (Dąbrowski and Piskorek, 2018). Nevertheless, it appears evident that lacking targeted policies may disrupt the transition process, leading to uneven benefits and the continuation of energy poverty (Bouzarovski and Simcock, 2017).

Therefore, to support their efforts, the EU has integrated Ukraine into several dedicated funding mechanisms and policy frameworks, including Horizon Europe, the European Green Deal, and the Energy Community Treaty (Energy Community, 2024). These initiatives promote infrastructure modernisation, renewable energy deployment, capacity building, and participatory planning. They also encourage stakeholder engagement and the development of governance frameworks to strengthen Ukraine's alignment with EU sustainability goals.

Secondly, the research examines how projects such as U_CAN (or SUN4Ukraine), through partnerships with the Cities Mission – Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities (CNSC), can facilitate Ukraine's journey towards carbon neutrality. These collaborations foster knowledge exchange, promote good practices, drive innovation, and support co-developed decarbonisation strategies tailored to the needs of war-affected urban areas. A critical element of this transition is addressing the needs and factors which significantly affect disadvantaged areas. It necessitates the development of appropriate recovery frameworks to aid post-conflict redevelopment, building on Ukrainian potential, ensuring affordable and resilient access to clean energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and supporting community-owned renewable projects (Lukash and Namoniuk, 2024). Strengthening local governance and planning can also assist municipalities in devising tailored solutions while remaining aligned with national and EU policies (Dąbrowski and Piskorek, 2018).

Finally, the study presented in this paper discusses how spatial planning systems can navigate the challenges of integrating spatial justice into energy transition strategies amid the complexities of war-affected urban areas. It offers actionable insights for Ukrainian policymakers and planners striving to align energy transitions with EU standards with support from the Mission Cities (European Commission Joint Research Centre, 2025).

References

Bouzarovski, S. and Simcock, N. (2017) Spatializing energy justice. Energy Policy, 107, pp. 640–648.

Dąbrowski, M., and Piskorek, K. (2018). The development of strategic spatial planning in Central and Eastern Europe: Between path dependence, European influence, and domestic politics. Planning Perspectives, 33(4), 571-589.

Energy Community (2024) Ukraine Energy Support Fund. [Online] Available at: https://www.energy-community.org/Ukraine/Fund.html [last accessed 25.02.2025].

European Commission Joint Research Centre (2025) Justice-focused approach key to effective energy poverty solutions. [Online] Available at: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and-updates/justice-focused-approach-key-effective-energy-poverty-solutions-2025-01-24_en [last accessed 25.02.2025].

Lukash, O., and Namoniuk, V. (2024). Post-war Development Energy Scenarios for Ukraine. In: Positive Tipping Points Towards Sustainability: Understanding the Conditions and Strategies for Fast Decarbonization in Regions (pp. 101-125). Cham: Springer International Publishing.