Management for a sustainable development of Ukrainian cities through the prism of strategic priorities of the European green deal

Abstract

Problem setting. The article considers smart managerial approaches to solving the problem of revitalization and sustainable development of Ukrainian cities after the COVID-19 pandemic. It is emphasized that the threats of post-coronavirus crisis have created significant barriers. At the same time, the crisis effects highlighted the weaknesses of the managerial system in cities and showed the existing imbalances. These observations objectified the task of revising strategic guidelines and vectors for the development of policies for sustainable local development.
 Recent research and publications analysis. Much has been done by Ukrainian scholars and practitioners to enrich theoretical developments in this area. In particular, the issues of sustainable development were widely studied in the works of M. Afanasyev, O. Bobrovska, Z. Varnaliy, I. Vakhovych, M. Butko, Z. Gerasimchuk, T. Krushelnytska, T. Mamatova, S. Mocherny, I. Chikarenko and many others scientists. Studies are devoted to the methodological substantiation of the principles of sustainable development, rationalization of management, greening of anthropogenic activities and environmental investments. The contribution of the authors to the solution of this problem could not be underestimated, but the presence of a wide range of problems in the practical plane objectivised the further research.
 Highlighting previously unsettled parts of the general problem. The search for the vectors of green development of the Ukrainian cities should be directed towards the implementation of the assignments of the Ukraine’s Association Agreement with EU, as well as other framework documents that will determine Ukraine's transition to the sustainable development principles. One of the fundamental documents that define the strategic approach to managing such development at the national and local levels is the European Green Deal. This highlights previously unsettled parts of the general problem of urban sustainable development.
 Paper main body. It is determined that for Ukraine this course could be seen as a roadmap of measures that should turn it by 2050 into an efficient, sustainable state with a competitive economy, identify ways to transform it into a climate-neutral territory of Europe, where self-sufficiency will improve the health and quality of citizens’ lives, and through the smartization of the management system, the transformation of climate and environmental challenges into opportunities in various fields, guaranteeing a fair and inclusive "green transition". The article considers modern approaches to the management for the sustainable development of Ukrainian cities through the prism of strategic priorities of the European Green Deal. It is determined that the modernization of managerial approaches for sustainable development of cities under the influence of Ukraine's adoption of the European Green Deal involves the development of city councils’ action plan for landscaping almost all spheres of urban life to achieve climate neutrality and natural balance. Following the tasks of the European Green Deal will enable Ukrainian cities to take advantage of a number of opportunities, including financial instruments to support the local economy and the development of civic institutions.
 Conclusions of the research and prospects for further studies. It is concluded that the priorities of the urban management, in particular, for industrial cities, should be the following: abandonment of fossil fuels and diversification of urban economy; adaptation to climate change through landscaping of all its spheres, including energy, agricultural policy, industrial policy, biodiversity, zero pollution, sustainable mobility, finance, trade; energy efficiency and application of energy saving technologies, modernization of infrastructure and buildings; transition to renewable energy sources, decarbonisation of the energy system; achieving zero pollution of air, water and soil; solving the problem of waste recycling and the transition to a circular economy and sustainable industrial policy; ensuring sustainable mobility; restoration and conservation of natural biodiversity; focusing on sustainable nutrition. It is proved that the initiation and deepening of work on solving these conceptual problems by the cities of Ukraine, first of all, industrial, will ensure its European integration, which should not be a goal but a consequence of modernization of the managerial system at all levels.