Gender perspective on urban planning amidst European integration and post-conflict impact: The Ukrainian case

Abstract

In post-conflict societies, urban development efforts typically prioritise reconstruction and accessibility. This paper examines the potential for integrating gender-responsive approaches into urban planning in Ukraine, where the priorities of post-war reconstruction intersect with the processes of European integration. While EU support and funding predominantly focus on the creation of barrier-free environments, European integration has also contributed to the establishment of institutional mechanisms and cultural foundations for advancing gender equality. The article critically evaluates whether the simultaneous processes of post-war reconstruction, societal transformation, and European integration present a "window of opportunity" for embedding gender mainstreaming in urban planning, or whether the pressing imperative of developing barrier-free environments will remain the dominant priority in the foreseeable future.