Wartime land governance in Ukraine: legal support for sustainable community development

Abstract

The article explores the transformation of the legal framework for public governance of land resources in Ukraine’s territorial communities under martial law, triggered by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation. It focuses on legislative changes adopted in response to crisis conditions, including challenges related to land market operations, access to public registries, and the implementation of land reform. The study highlights key legal issues that have emerged in the wartime context, such as limited access to information systems, displacement of administrative bodies, and the need to maintain continuity in the provision of administrative services. Particular attention is given to the decentralisation process and the enhanced authority of local self-government in managing communal land. The need for creating a land reserve fund for emergency use is substantiated. The article also stresses the importance of adapting the legal and regulatory framework to wartime realities while aligning with international standards and other countries' post-conflict experiences. Based on the analysis, practical recommendations are proposed for improving the system of public land governance. These include digitalising land records, ensuring cybersecurity, promoting public oversight mechanisms, enhancing cross-border cooperation, supporting the agricultural sector’s sustainable development, and developing tools for compensating land-related losses. The paper outlines strategic directions for strengthening the resilience of land policy in the postwar period to ensure the sustainable development of territorial communities.