The city of Trostianets, which was severely affected in the first months of large-scale Russian aggression, has been steadily recovering and transforming into a vibrant cultural and commercial center of the Sumy region since the summer of 2022.
In 2023, a new Master Plan for the Trostianets municipality was developed by Clean Energy Solutions GesmbH (Austria), iC consulenten (Ukraine), tbw research (Austria), and Modul5 (Austria), with the support of independent experts Peter Blaschke, Hannes Horvat, and Madis Maddison.
The work on the Master Plan lasted about eight months, and its public presentation took place on April 19, 2023. The document is designed to guide the city’s development and support investment planning in Trostianets.
Objectives of the Document
- To guide the city’s development, promotion, and investment attraction.
- To identify the spatial vision and the steps needed for its realization.
- To translate interventions into concrete cost estimates.
The Master Plan seeks to rebuild the city, heavily damaged by Russian aggression, following a new philosophy based on the principles of sustainable development. It introduces new spatial zoning, the transformation of green areas, and the creation of centers for education, sports, and recreation. Strategies for attracting small and medium-sized businesses have been outlined, forming the foundation for the city’s future economic stability.
Core Strategic Vision
The city center of Trostianets is envisioned as a lively, multifunctional hub for both the city and the wider region. It will concentrate commerce, administration, culture, education, and leisure. Life in its streets, new squares, and buildings will remain active throughout the day.
Experts also laid out a roadmap toward energy independence, a modern waste recycling system, improved water supply and wastewater disposal, reconstruction of buildings, and several other essential priorities.
The “New Balance Trostianets” Master Plan aims not only to foster sustainable urban growth but also to attract investments. The planners relied on the Municipal Development Strategy until 2030, prepared in 2019 with the support of the German GIZ, while also offering a detailed vision that addresses the destruction caused by the Russian invasion.
What Exactly Do the Experts Recommend?
The authors of the Master Plan believe that the demographic outlook for Trostianets is positive. Despite its proximity to the Russian border, not only are former residents expected to return, but new residents — including internally displaced people — are also likely to settle in the city. Over the next 30 years, the municipality’s population is projected to grow by 4%.
Field research conducted by urban planners revealed that the vast majority of residents (99%) consider Trostianets a comfortable city to live in. The most popular leisure destination is the Central City Park, while the historic city center — with landmarks such as the Round Courtyard and the Trostianets Museum and Exhibition Complex — remains the city’s cultural magnet.
The city center — the heart of Trostianets — has a radius of about 600 meters. The Master Plan describes its key “veins” and functional spaces:
- The Commercial Heart
- Playground Central Trostianets
- The Cultural Heart
- The Heart of Education
- The Sport and Entertainment Heart
At the same time, residents note the lack of sports facilities, shopping and entertainment centers, a skate park, street cafés with coworking spaces, and new educational institutions. A modern waste processing plant is also identified as a key need.
One of the central ideas of the plan is the concept of “mobility and equal opportunities“, which will better connect neighborhoods to the city center and make the center itself more inclusive. Urban planners recommend reorganizing the central quarter to strengthen its commercial role. Among the most important solutions is the creation of a pedestrian-friendly market for farm products and folk crafts. To make this space visually open and inviting, the authors suggest drawing on greenhouse-style architecture for its pavilions.
The plan also proposes pedestrianizing the areas around the city administration building and the new multifunctional complex “House of the Future“. In addition, it recommends holding an architectural competition for the design of an open public space in the city center, which would include modern playgrounds for children of all ages and well-equipped recreation areas. A unified design code for street furniture and navigation is also suggested.
Separate sections of the Master Plan address the restoration of sports infrastructure, modernization of street lighting, construction of new residential buildings, and the alignment of urban networks with EU directives. Investment needs have been calculated for each area.
City Planning
Although Trostianets is many kilometers away, the city has provided a comprehensive picture of its neighborhoods through feedback, data, and city walk videos.
The destruction and disruption caused by the war require us to look to the future and adapt city structures. Today, the key challenges for modern cities include adapting to climate change, preserving and promoting diverse functions in city centers, ensuring mobility for residents and businesses, and reviving urban production.
The Master Plan responds to these pressures with the guiding idea of building a resilient and self-determined city.
Guiding Goals of the Master Plan
- The city will grow through sustainably operating leading businesses and as a livable full-service provider in health, education, and commerce.
- Trostianets’ spatial development will prioritize “inside” over “outside”.
- The concept of “equal opportunity mobility” will connect neighborhoods to the downtown.
- The Master Plan values what already exists and develops it into a vibrant center through bold interventions.
In 2023, a new Master Plan for the Trostianets municipality was developed by Clean Energy Solutions GesmbH (Austria), iC consulenten (Ukraine), tbw research (Austria), and Modul5 (Austria), with the support of independent experts Peter Blaschke, Hannes Horvat, and Madis Maddison.
The work on the Master Plan lasted about eight months, and its public presentation took place on April 19, 2023. The document is designed to guide the city’s development and support investment planning in Trostyanets.
The New Balance Trostyanets Master Plan aims not only to support the development of the city, but also to help with investment planning. The planners focused on the Municipal Development Strategy until 2030, prepared in 2019 with the support of the GIZ Ukraine.
For a more detailed study, you can download the full document here.
