10 principles for building new social housing in Ukraine
The concept was developed on the initiative of Vadym Boychenko, the mayor of Mariupol, as part of the Mariupol Reborn by the Ukrainian urban bureau Big City Lab in partnership with the architecture firm PUPA and the consultancy Civitta. Illustrations created by Nato Mikeladze.
As a result of the full-scale war, millions of Ukrainians were forced to leave their homes. Some of them settled in other cities, others abroad. But they all desire to regain a sense of home, a place to stay, live, and build a future.
Social housing is not about temporariness. It is about dignity, stability, and new opportunities. Currently, there is no systemic model of social housing in Ukraine that would provide long-term, high-quality and affordable accommodation for those in need. Some local initiatives exist, but they do not create a unified system. Meanwhile, housing is not just about walls and a roof. It is about inclusion in city life, access to education, employment, and services. All this is part of a decent living space.
To respond to this challenge, the Big City Lab team, together with partners, the Mariupol City Council and the Association of Ukrainian Cities, developed a new standard for social housing as part of Mariupol Reborn. The Government of Ukraine supported the project.
The developed concept includes both architectural and management solutions and is based on ten key principles:
- Human Centricity
Social housing should provide a basic level of comfort: from inclusive infrastructure to convenient apartment or house layouts. Social services should be provided on the territory of the neighbourhood: children's rooms, co-working spaces and meeting community spaces. People should not feel like temporary residents but have a sense of home and belonging to a community.
- Affordability
The social housing model provides for long-term tenancies with a possible purchase option. Construction costs should be optimised, and technologies should be energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Buildings should be equipped with renewable energy sources which will help to reduce maintenance costs. This will allow for low rents and utility bills. Such housing will be affordable to vulnerable groups of people who have lost their homes and need new ones.
- Functionality and durability
Social housing should be easy to build. Engineering and architectural solutions should focus on quality and durability. Housing should be built on the principle of neighbourhood development, and buildings should have no more than 4-9 storeys. Thoughtful facade design, colour and decoration solutions, and basic interior renovations are essential. Green and multifunctional areas create a pleasant living environment. Social housing should not be synonymous with monotonous, grey boxes.
- Scaling
Social housing should be designed around the needs of future residents. The layout of the apartments and houses considers everything that makes life comfortable, from the optimal living space to the location of sinks and sockets. The project is not tied to a specific location; it can be easily adapted to any plot of land and scaled up nationally.
- Transparency of distribution
The system for allocating social housing should be transparent. Priority should be given to those most in need. The allocation process should be open and understandable to all, with clear criteria and no risk of corruption. A point system has been developed to ensure a fair distribution of social housing.
- Integration into the city
Social housing should be built in a populated area that allows interaction with other people and provides an infrastructure that meets all the needs of the residents. There should be hospitals and shops, kindergartens and schools, parks and cultural facilities. The ground floors of the buildings will be used for commercial and social purposes. A convenient transport network should connect the district to other parts of the city. People should feel connected to what is happening around them.
- Shared responsibility
Social housing remains a common resource, so a responsible attitude guarantees its quality and durability. Residents should not see social housing as a temporary stopover but as their own home to be cared for.
- Security
Social housing should ensure the physical and social safety of its residents. Buildings should have adequate lighting, and common areas should be visible and accessible. Buildings should have fire shelters, be constructed of fire-resistant materials, and be equipped with an alarm system that includes both audible and visual signals. The premises should be located so that it is possible to evacuate quickly in the event of an emergency.
- Diversity
Social housing is a tool for integration and interaction. It aims to create mixed, active communities rather than segregating people into groups. The system should offer different types of flats and houses to meet the needs of different categories of residents. It is important to provide both compact options for those living alone and more spacious options for large families. This approach ensures that everyone can find a home that meets their needs.
- Barrier-free approach
Social housing should be accessible to people with disabilities, veterans, and people with reduced mobility. This means standardised ramps, lifts, wide doorways, and tactile navigation elements. The surrounding area and the layout of the flat or house should also be accessible.
