Amidst the ongoing conflict with Russian forces, Ukraine is embarking on a challenging mission to rebuild towns and cities devastated by war. Trostianets, a northeastern town heavily damaged almost two years ago, is at the forefront of this reconstruction effort. Mayor Yuriy Bova emphasizes the urgency, stating that time is running out to bring life back to these towns, preventing the potential permanent exile of millions of Ukrainians to Europe.
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Rebuilding Amidst Ongoing Warfare
The war continues unabated, with Ukraine defending against new Russian attacks and facing mass air strikes on population centers far beyond the front line. Despite the challenges, Kyiv officials express the importance of rebuilding critical infrastructure such as hospitals, power stations, and railways, signaling a comprehensive effort requiring substantial funds.
Divergent Views on Priorities
In neighboring towns like Okhtyrka, scarred by heavy Russian bombing, there are differing opinions on the allocation of resources. Mayor Pavlo Kuzmenko argues for prioritizing the repair of homes and critical infrastructure, asserting that luxuries like resurrecting town squares must wait until after the war. This reflects a broader debate on wartime spending, with grassroots protests urging a focus on military needs over discretionary projects.
Economies Win Wars: A Call for Strategic Spending
Orysia Lutsevych from the Chatham House think-tank emphasizes the importance of a well-communicated government strategy for recovery and adapting the economy to wartime conditions. Lutsevych suggests investing in income-generating growth opportunities, such as building schools in safer regions like Lviv to retain displaced Ukrainians and bolster the wartime economy.
Challenges and Pilot Projects
Mustafa Nayyem, head of Ukraine’s Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, acknowledges the lack of experience in comprehensive reconstruction. Six pilot projects, funded by a state fund primarily comprised of seized Russian assets, aim for a complete transformation of devastated areas. These projects face challenges, ranging from property ownership issues to the reestablishment of energy networks.
Planning for the Future Amidst Uncertainty
The World Bank estimates the cost of rebuilding Ukraine at over $400 billion over the next decade, with Western lenders prepared to provide significant financing. However, ongoing warfare hampers long-term planning. Nayyem underscores the need to develop the “infrastructure of reconstruction,” focusing on standards, procedures, and international partnerships while planning for a post-war era.
Balancing Necessities and Aspirations
Critics like Kuzmenko question the necessity of certain reconstruction projects, emphasizing the need to prioritize strategic roads, administrative buildings, and essential services over discretionary amenities like libraries or museums. Nayyem defends the pilot projects, clarifying that the focus is on rebuilding homes and essential services for the people.
Hope Amidst Destruction
In Trostianets, the plan includes restoring vital infrastructure like apartment blocks, medical facilities, the train station, and the town square. Despite the challenges, international donors have contributed to rebuilding efforts, exemplified by a new wing in the main city hospital. Local residents express optimism that their town will emerge stronger, praising Mayor Bova’s leadership and the influx of state funding.
Varied Experiences Across Pilot Projects
Five other pilot projects across different regions face unique challenges in their reconstruction efforts. While Okhtyrka resists a Russian onslaught with a lively atmosphere, some residents yearn for a sense of normalcy beyond immediate needs. The article highlights the complex dynamics of rebuilding in a war-torn country, with priorities shifting between necessities and aspirations.
