A column by the ICEG president titled “Time for quality: what the postponement of urban-planning deadlines gives to communities” has been published on the decentralization.gov.ua portal. The material continues the topic of management challenges during reconstruction and explains how changes in legislation regarding urban-planning documentation affect the work of communities.

It is about the extension of the mandatory deadline for updating the urban-planning documentation until 2028. This decision has given communities a resource of time that can be used not to postpone decisions, but to prepare higher-quality and more coherent documentation. The column examines how the system of comprehensive, general, and detailed plans works, why detailed plans of territories are becoming a key practical tool, and what risks arise from ad-hoc decisions made without an overall logic of development.

Particular attention is paid to the fact that the postponement does not mean a “pause” in processes: functional zones and restrictions must still be entered into the State Land Cadaster; otherwise, projects will not be able to move forward. The material also outlines practical steps that will help communities use this period to audit the documentation, synchronize planning with reconstruction projects, and prepare high-quality terms of reference.

The article emphasizes: reconstruction is not just about construction; first and foremost, it is about high-quality planning, coordinated processes, and professional expertise that mitigates risks and makes decisions more predictable.