Interregional cooperation and sustainable development
Zaporizhzhia in a nutshell
The city of Zaporizhzhia lies along the banks of the Dnipro River in the southern region of Ukraine. Renowned for its industrial potential, including powerful metallurgy and machine-building clusters, Zaporizhzhia boasts a rich historical heritage and diverse culture as well.
With the legendary Khortytsia island at its very heart, the breathtaking Dnipro Dam, and modernist architecture, so close to the ideas of the Bauhaus school, the city offers a captivating blend of history, industry, and natural beauty. It is a city of universities, cosy cafes, innovative museums, and public libraries. It even was home to vibrant literary and music festivals just before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Resistance, Resilience, and Life
Today, Zaporizhzhia serves as a logistical and humanitarian hub for the southern region of Ukraine. It is home to more than 160,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and hosts offices for humanitarian missions. Many locals volunteer to assist the Ukrainian army and aid people and animals affected by the war. From weaving camouflage nets to creating shelters for those who have lost their homes, the citizens of Zaporizhzhia work diligently to support their city and country.
Although the southern front line lies some 50 km away, the community continues to live the fullest life possible. The current population, including IDPs, almost matches the numbers before the full-scale invasion: more than 610,000 urban residents. Due to martial law, there are some safety restrictions regarding mass events, education, and the operation of public infrastructure. Nevertheless, children attend online classes, citizens are free to visit theaters, cinemas, and other cultural spaces, and even new restaurants welcome their visitors. By the way, several cafes opened by new residents of Zaporizhzhia, people who came from occupied territories or active war zones.
In Zaporizhzhia, which from 2015 to 2017 was the home of the biggest Ukrainian arts & books festivals in the southern and eastern regions (a.k.a. Book Toloka), people know the true value and importance of culture. Today, the city continues renovating public libraries, local museums invite citizens to interactive historical tours and topical discussions, and even exhibitions of modern Ukrainian graphic art are organised right in the streets.
Twin Towns and Interregional Cooperation
Zaporizhzhia sees itself as part of Europe, alongside like-minded, democratic, and prosperous cities and communities. We share the same values: we see and feel it while collaborating with our twin towns across the EU.
Although Zaporizhzhia has a long history of town twinning (since 1953 when partnership relations with Lahti, Finland, were established), more active and direct communication between municipalities began during the full-scale war. Our twin towns in Germany, Magdeburg, and Oberhausen, were the first to lend us a helping hand. Over these two years, our cooperation has expanded from humanitarian actions to collaborative projects aimed at strengthening civil infrastructure, exchanging experiences in healthcare and education, and promoting cultural ties between our cities.
Other twin cities include Linz (Austria), Lahti (Finland), Belfort (France), and Birmingham (UK). Each has demonstrated support for Zaporizhzhia and solidarity with Ukraine in its way.
There are also other partners across Europe: the Pomeranian Voivodeship with its capital, the City of Gdańsk, which donated two ambulances; Tyrol in Austria, which also sent us an ambulance; and the Isle of Wight (UK), particularly interested in cultural cooperation.
Postwar Recovery and Development
The current Urban Development Strategy 2027 was approved in 2017 with technical support from the Partnership for Local Economic Development and Democratic Governance Project (PLEDDG). The document defines four strategic areas of urban development:
- City of a healthy environment and resource preservation
- City of entrepreneurship and the creative economy
- City of convenient, safe, and creative urban planning
- City of high living standards
Unfortunately, the full-scale Russian invasion not only interrupted the implementation of Strategy 2027 but also brought new challenges and concerns to be addressed. Today, Zaporizhzhia needs an updated urban development strategy as well as a postwar recovery plan. Both documents should be developed with broad public involvement.
As part of the planning process towards a new strategy, Zaporizhzhia is working on its Vision 2030, a strategic document aimed at determining the city’s sustainable future during and after the war. While the City Council initiated its development, the Ro3kvit Urban Coalition for Ukraine provides expert support to local specialists.
There are initiatives from the civil sector, too. In March 2024, NGO Ecosense presented a “Green Book for the Recovery of Zaporizhzhia,” which contains a comprehensive analysis of the current situation, defines main challenges, and prioritizes actions for the green post-war recovery of the city. The authors offer detailed roadmaps for the most vulnerable sectors that were significantly damaged because of the war but remain key to sustainable urban development.
