REVERSE REURBANIZATION OF DONBAS. POSSIBILITY AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

Post-war reconstruction is not limited to the reconstruction of the physically destroyed environment. Depending on the conditions of the end of the war, the socio-economic structure that existed before the conflict will be restructured. In Ukraine, urbanised areas have suffered significant destruction, resulting in a significant decrease in population density. The article analyses the impact of war-related factors on the state and prospects of urbanised areas of Donbas. The basic factors and principles that can support the sustainable development of the settlement system in areas that are losing population density are identified. These include security, comfortable environment, ecological environment, convenient transport accessibility, availability of places of employment, and education. The study analyses the possibility of using certain territories, planningunits and networks for further recovery of the region. Donbas was formed as a resource region, with the mining and metallurgical complex as its main industry. The potential of the coal industry has been largely exhausted. The war has significantly deteriorated the quantity and quality of human resources, which is now the basis of civilised sustainable development. For a highly urbanised region, this poses the problem of a declining population and settlement density, which means a slide into crisis. Since reverse reurbanisation is not possible for objective reasons, the situation may turn urbanised areas into deserted landscapes. At the same time, the region has significant potential, which is based on the planning and transport framework. Agricultural land should be preserved as much as possible. The planning and transport framework of the regions is well established and largely determined by the topography and river network. Certain areas of industrial districts and areas adjacent to transport corridors have their own primary value, which is determined by their convenient location and low development costs. In the context of a scarcity of free  land, this increases their attractiveness. A rational strategy for theregion’s recovery should be based on regional comprehensive spatial development plans.