From Post-Socialist Cities to Smart Urban Futures: Implementing the ‘Right to the City’ in Ukraine

Abstract

The city is a space of social interaction that is in a constant state of change. In the current phase, urban development is described by the concept of the ‘right to the city’. The article examines some of the issues that arise in the implementation of this concept in the practice of urban life, using the example of Ukrainian cities. First and foremost, the article addresses the issue of active participation of city dwellers in the transformation processes of urban space. In this context, certain forms (‘ways') of realization of the ‘right to the city’ are considered, namely: participation, creation of a ‘smart city’ with the help of digital technologies, creation of ‘cluster’ cities. The analysis of the materials allows us to conclude that the practical implementation of the concept of the ‘right to the city’ is at the same time a form of urban social activism aimed at creating a decent life for every citizen.