Introduction

Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the built environment and critical infrastructure in Ukraine have been severely impacted also causing large humanitarian concerns for millions of civilians, including internally displaced persons and refugees. 

The Ukrainian Government (GoU) has a strong ambition to ‘build back better’, making progress towards the SDGs with a specific focus on addressing climate change. This includes a desire for an overhaul of existing towns and neighbourhoods, which typically are mono-functional with inadequate provision of public space and access to public services and functions. Particular considerations need to be directed towards the changing demographics (including the increased number of people with disabilities) and economics in the country. National, regional and local economic development strategies need to be developed and implemented, including approaches for urban and territorial regeneration on local level. A sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine calls for the introduction of a systemic shift in the recovery planning and design of cities, towns and neighbourhoods in Ukraine, while also embedding measures to build capacity within the built environment professions, including urban planning.

The war has affected the availability of Ukrainian expertise within urban development, which was already scarce before the war, increasing the risk to jeopardise the ambition of Ukraine to Building Back Better. While several organisations have emerged to support the development of capacities in Ukraine on urban and territorial development and management, the access to knowledge and best practises on these issues is still limited.

The project aims at increasing access to global, regional and local cutting-edge knowledge, expertise as well as best practises that can inspire and enhance the capacities and expertise of Ukrainian stakeholders engaged in the recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Main activities to be carried out during the Assignment

Under the general supervision of UN-Habitat’s Head of Office in Ukraine, the selected Implementing Partner will be responsible for the development and broadcast of the following knowledge products: 

1. Prepare public space design guidelines (report) that promote safe, inclusive, accessible and green public spaces. 

   1. The project proposal should include an outline for the public space design guidelines, clearly defining the objectives. It should also elaborate on the specific focus areas, such as assessment, planning process, design principles, indicators, policy frameworks, and financial considerations.

   2. UN-Habitat’s global guidelines and toolkits for public space design can serve as valuable resources. These include, but are not limited to, the City-wide public space assessment tool, the City-wide public space strategy, the Site Specific assessment tool, and Her City Toolbox. 

2. Develop a public space pilot project for the selected municipality (UN-Habitat partner municipality to be confirmed – In Kyiv, Lviv or Poltava Oblast). The purpose is to test approaches, gather insights, and support the development of public space design guidelines. The project proposal should include the following components

   1. development of a city-wide public space network concept for the selected municipality

   2. identification of 1-3 priority public spaces within the public space network 

   3. preparation of conceptual design at least for 1 public space

   4. The planning and design process should be participatory, including city council and community groups, particularly those with specific needs. The project proposal should describe the engagement strategy, including methods for stakeholder involvement and planned workshops. 

3. Other products: Expressions of Interest can include proposals of additional knowledge products, in alignment with the above listed principles and within the available budget allocated to the project.

Overall timeframe 

The work outlined in this EOI is scheduled to commence by 15 January 2025 and completed by 15 April 2025.

Submission requirements and contact information

Expression of Interest must be delivered by email no later than 31 December 2024 20:00 hrs (EET) to the e-mail address: unhabitat-ukraine@un.org.

Other 

Please note that this EOI notice does not constitute a solicitation. UN-Habitat reserves the right to change or cancel this requirement at any time in the Expressions of Interest/or solicitation process. Submitting a reply to an EOI does not guarantee that a Cooperation Partner will be considered for receipt of the solicitation when issued and only Cooperation Partners who are deemed qualified by UN-Habitat upon completion of evaluation of submission, will receive the final solicitation document.