In December 2025, the Yasno Research & Consulting Group team conducted a qualitative sociological study “Assessment by residents of central districts of the problems of implementing the plan for the reconstruction of the center of Kharkiv” for the NGO “Kharkiv Anti-Corruption Center” on possible scenarios for the reconstruction of the central part of Kharkiv.
The topic of city reconstruction today is one of the most sensitive and at the same time complex. It arouses considerable interest – both professional and public. At the same time, many different interpretations, assessments and assumptions are formed around it.
We, like our Customer, are convinced that when it comes to the reconstruction of the city, it is important to rely not only on expert visions, but also on the experience of the residents themselves – those who live in this space and will continue to live in it.
That is why the key goal of the study was:
to understand how residents of the central part of Kharkiv see the future reconstruction,
to identify their expectations, doubts and risks,
to form the basis for informed decisions and further dialogue between different parties.
The results of the study were used in the preparation of analytical material by the Kharkiv Anti-Corruption Center.
The full report (in Ukrainian) can be found at the link.
A qualitative approach (focus group discussion) was chosen for this project, as it allows working with topics where not only answers are important, but also the context, emotions and logic of people’s thinking.
The following was implemented:
- online focus group discussion
- duration – more than 4 hours
- geography – Kharkiv, central districts of the city
- participants – residents with different social experiences and life scenarios
Special attention was paid to the selection of participants. The center’s residents were represented by respondents of different ages, professions, social activity and involvement, with different experiences of living in the center – some have lived here all their lives, while others have recently moved, some have become residents of the city by personal choice, and some have been forced to leave their homes due to the war.
This made it possible to obtain not “one point of view”, but a living, multidimensional picture of urban perception.
Our approach to research is a combination of academic rigor, research ethics, and applied value of the result.
We do not seek quick or superficial answers—we build understanding that can be worked on.
The results of the study show that the perception of the reconstruction of the center of Kharkiv is complex, emotionally charged and often contradictory. For residents, this issue is much broader than the restoration of buildings or infrastructure – it is about safety, quality of life, the identity of the city and its future.
Despite the fatigue from the war, which at the time of the study had been going on for almost five years, the city center remains an important symbolic and practical space. It is valued for the concentration of services, cultural life, opportunities for work and recreation, as well as for the feeling of a “living city”. At the same time, it is a space of heightened tension – due to the constant threat of shelling, uneven reconstruction and a sense of vulnerability.
“The center is about life, but now it is life with a constant adjustment for danger”.
The issue of security in the city is key in the perception of any decisions on reconstruction. Participants speak directly about the systemic problem of shelters – their shortage, difficult accessibility or unusability. This creates a basic sense of danger and influences people’s willingness to return to active life in the city center.
At the same time, residents demonstrate a high level of understanding of what the reconstruction of Kharkiv should be like. They clearly distinguish between objects that are worth restoring and those that require rethinking or complete transformation. In particular, historical buildings, iconic architectural objects and spaces associated with the city’s identity are perceived as those that should be preserved and restored as much as possible. Instead, some of the outdated buildings or non-functional spaces are seen as an opportunity to create a new quality of the urban environment.
As the participants note:
“Not everything needs to be restored as it was. There are things that can be made better — more modern, convenient and humane.”
This approach is combined with the demand for a modern, safe and inclusive urban space. It is not only about physical accessibility, but also about a broader understanding of inclusion — taking into account the needs of people with disabilities, injuries, veterans, parents with children, and older people. In this context, reconstruction is seen as an opportunity to correct previous shortcomings of the urban environment.
The topic of residents’ participation in the reconstruction of the city is particularly important. Respondents demonstrate a request for inclusion in decision-making processes — from discussing concepts to evaluating specific solutions. At the same time, there is distrust of formal consultations that do not have a real impact. This creates expectations for more transparent and effective mechanisms for community involvement.
At the same time, participants clearly articulate the risks associated with the reconstruction processes: corruption threats, delaying processes, a formal approach to reconstruction, and the risk of losing the city’s identity. This indicates a high level of criticality and involvement of residents in the topic.
The topic of the balance between memory and the future also remains important. For residents, it is essential that reconstruction does not erase the experience of war, but integrates it into the urban space – through the preservation of architecture, the creation of memorial sites and symbolic solutions.
In general, the perception of reconstruction is ambivalent: the same solutions can simultaneously arouse support and doubts about their appropriateness. This emphasizes the need for an open dialogue between the community, the authorities and other stakeholders.
The study gave the customer a deep understanding of residents’ expectations regarding the reconstruction of Kharkiv, key risks and development directions, and also became the basis for further analytical materials and public discussion, providing structured insights for further research.
The full version of the results, including detailed analysis and direct statements from participants, is available in the report (in Ukrainian).
In particular, we previously analyzed models of city perception to form the concept of the Kharkiv brand, studied strategies for the participation of Kharkiv residents in early reconstruction, assessed the accessibility of services and infrastructure for military personnel and veterans, studied the living conditions of IDPs in Kharkiv, and much more. Our experience in research in Kharkiv allows us to see not individual opinions, but the dynamics of changes in the perception of the city and its future.
In general, we are convinced that the topic of reconstruction requires dialogue between different parties:
- public sector
- business
- international funds
- government bodies
- expert and academic community
Yasno Research & Consulting is open to cooperation and ready to join research where depth, accuracy and responsibility are important.
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