Urban planning law – for students: The UNBA Committee held educational events

In April, the UNBA Committee on construction law held two events for students focused on urban planning regulations. The discussions centered on the concept of the future Urban Planning Code, the European direction of the reform, and practical issues related to design, permitting procedures, and the architect’s responsibilities.

A roundtable discussion titled «Urban Planning Code: a national need and the European direction» was held at the Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University. Representatives of advocacy, scholars, faculty members, and students joined the discussion. Participants discussed the reform of urban planning legislation, the conceptual foundations of the future Urban Planning Code and its significance for law enforcement.

University Rector Olena Shust addressed the participants with a welcoming speech. The discussion was moderated by chairman of the UNBA Committee on construction law Oleg Povalyayev and dean of the Faculty of social sciences and humanities Inna Kovalchuk.

The main part of the event was devoted to the concept of the Urban Planning Code of Ukraine, presented in a talk by People’s Deputy Hanna Bondar.

The urban planning sector is currently in a state of legislative «inflation»: this sector is regulated by 5 codes, 61 laws, 108 state building codes, 60 resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers, 31 orders of the relevant ministry, and 23 health standards. This, along with the challenges of post-war reconstruction, Ukraine’s accession to the EU, legal uncertainty, and the housing and social crisis, necessitates the codification of urban planning legislation.

Members of the relevant UNBA Committee spoke during the panel discussion. Irena Feingold presented an analytical overview of legislative initiatives and their practical significance for law enforcement. Inna Yaremova focused on the alignment of Ukrainian regulations with European standards and Ukraine’s obligations within the framework of its European integration course. Yana Chernyshova outlined the economic aspects of the sector, particularly the legal mechanisms for investment protection and the promotion of infrastructure restoration.

In Ivano-Frankivsk, in the conference hall of King Danylo University, a scientific and practical seminar titled «The architect and the law: from initial data to oversight» was held for students majoring in «Architecture and urban planning».

The speakers were Committee members Natalia Leshchak, Svitlana Hluschenko and Taras Bondarenko. They discussed the practical aspects of applying urban planning legislation and the legal issues architects face during project implementation.

In particular, participants discussed topics ranging from master plans to detailed site plans, design input data, their composition and the procedure for obtaining them under martial law, construction permits, state architectural and construction oversight, and the architect’s liability.

The speakers sought to provide architecture students with a comprehensive understanding of the process of implementing an architectural project within the framework of current urban planning legislation — from obtaining design data and developing urban planning documentation to navigating permitting procedures and undergoing state architectural and construction oversight.

Both events were united by a common idea: urban planning law must be understandable to future lawyers, architects, and specialists who will work on the spatial development of communities. That is why the UNBA Committee on construction law combines professional discussion of the future Urban Planning Code with practical work in the university environment.