Pandemic Challenges for Transformation of Urban Environment and Public Spaces in Ukraine

Research on post-industrial urban transformations in post-Soviet Ukraine has advanced the understanding of pathways to sustainable, inclusive, smart and resilient cities. Lack of studies about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on urban life and space represents an obstacle to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 2030, particularly in Ukraine with more than 69% urban population. Pandemic changes have not also been really considered in the modern Ukrainian geourbanistics, which reveals a serious gap or even vulnerability of the existing approach to healthy urban development. Pandemic restrictions touch a lot of aspects of urban development, such as health infrastructure access, education accessibility, availability of public space, economic activity, connectivity and inequalities. The purpose of the present paper is to determine influence of pandemic-related factors on achieving Sustainable Development Goals 2030, in particular on development of public spaces. The paper draws on in-depth review of academic literature, using author’s own conceptualization, observations and studies. The social importance of public spaces as an environment that provides affordable mobility (public transport, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure), as a tool for supporting and restoring health (green areas and pedestrian streets), places of small trade activity (access to food and essential goods—local markets) has grown during pandemic time in Ukrainian cities. There is a need for further their research in terms of mobility, environmental friendliness, inclusiveness and social distancing at the same time.