Rebuilding Ukraine's Cities: Maximizing Benefits and Minimizing Costs

Edward L Glaeser (), Martina Kirchberger () and Andrii Parkhomenko ()
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Edward L Glaeser: Harvard University and NBER
Martina Kirchberger: Department of Economics, Trinity College Dublin
Andrii Parkhomenko: University of Southern California

No tep0226, Economic Papers from Trinity College Dublin, Economics Department

Abstract: This paper discusses the rebuilding of Ukrainian cities. We start by outlining key facts about Ukraine and its cities: (i) the country's population is declining; (ii) there is a shift in demand for housing from east to west; (iii) Kyiv's advantage is growing; (iv) house prices are rising in Kyiv and western cities, (v) Ukraine's cities are slow and congested. We then present a theoretical framework for maximizing the benefits of Ukraine's rebuilding effort to highlight the welfare effects of different allocations of post-war infrastructure. Finally, we consider the cost curve for reconstruction, as determined, in particular, by the cost of materials, labor, the industrial organization of the building industry and public practices in procurement and regulation. We highlight three broad strategies for shifting the cost curve: openness, standardization and investing‐in‐investing. We conclude by outlining areas for future research.

Keywords: reconstruction; security; procurement; economic geography (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F51 H54 O40 R11 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 47 pages
Date: 2026-01
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