Eco-friendly reconstruction in Ukraine: merely a bonus or the way forward?
SKAT has conducted a study to identify, showcase and promote the most viable approaches to circular construction in Ukraine.
Millions of homes have been destroyed during the war in Ukraine. While homeowners often lack the resources to rebuild, the material from demolished houses is largely treated as waste and dumped into landfills or illegal sites. Circular reconstruction and urban mining see cities not as piles of rubble, but as valuable material banks. Instead of extracting new resources, existing bricks, concrete elements, timber, and many other building materials can be carefully salvaged and reused or recycled. Circular reconstruction practices can reduce CO₂ emissions, and lower reconstruction costs. Together with local and international partners, SKAT has conducted a study to identify, showcase, and promote the most viable approaches to circular construction in Ukraine. The findings demonstrate how urban mining can support faster, greener, and more affordable reconstruction, paving the way for further initiatives and broader adoption at scale.
