Reconnecting with nature
Sapalaivka Urban Greenway
Sapalaivka Urban Greenway: A Green Mobility Link Along the River for Walking and Cycling
Sapalaivka Urban Greenway is a concept for creating an uninterrupted walking and cycling connection along the river throughout the entire city. The route will integrate major residential districts with the city center and link urban green spaces with protected natural areas in neighboring villages. Potential daily users could reach 25-30% of the city's population (55,000 - 65,000 people). This is not just about recreation but primarily about active daily usage and promotion of green mobility.
Ukraine
Local
Lutsk, Volyn oblast, Ukraine.
Strumivka, Volyn oblast, Ukraine.
Strumivka, Volyn oblast, Ukraine.
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Early concept
No
No
As a representative of an organisation
The Sapalaivka Urban Greenway aims to create a pedestrian and bicycle route along the Sapalaivka River, enhancing green mobility and promoting sustainable urban design. This initiative supports environmentally friendly transportation and emphasizes the importance of urban green spaces that balance nature and city life.
Lutsk, a historic city in western Ukraine, has a rich natural and cultural heritage. Founded in the 11th century, it has always been the capital of Volyn, a region known for its forests, lakes, and wetlands. Today, Lutsk has over 220,000 residents and spans 42 km², with more than 10% of its area (about 430 hectares) dedicated to landscapes and recreational spaces, including botanical gardens, local nature reserves, and the Styr River Valley, part of the Emerald Network. These features are crucial to understanding the project’s context, as rivers and green areas shape the region’s identity.
Four rivers flow through the city, including the Sapalaivka, a small 13 km river averaging 1–2 meters in width. Running east to west, it passes through various natural, cultural, and recreational sites, including a nature park, a children’s railway, a historic brick mill, a former botanical garden, an open-air art gallery, a sports stadium, a university campus, and a 19th-century operational brewery. The river also runs through the city center before merging with the Styr River. Its source is in a nearby village, close to a forest and a botanical reserve.
Developing a continuous pedestrian and cycling path along the Sapalaivka will offer a convenient and scenic route for daily commuting and recreational trips. As it runs through a densely populated area, an estimated 25–35% of the population (55,000–65,000 people) could benefit from this corridor, improving urban mobility and air quality while connecting green spaces across the city.
Lutsk, a historic city in western Ukraine, has a rich natural and cultural heritage. Founded in the 11th century, it has always been the capital of Volyn, a region known for its forests, lakes, and wetlands. Today, Lutsk has over 220,000 residents and spans 42 km², with more than 10% of its area (about 430 hectares) dedicated to landscapes and recreational spaces, including botanical gardens, local nature reserves, and the Styr River Valley, part of the Emerald Network. These features are crucial to understanding the project’s context, as rivers and green areas shape the region’s identity.
Four rivers flow through the city, including the Sapalaivka, a small 13 km river averaging 1–2 meters in width. Running east to west, it passes through various natural, cultural, and recreational sites, including a nature park, a children’s railway, a historic brick mill, a former botanical garden, an open-air art gallery, a sports stadium, a university campus, and a 19th-century operational brewery. The river also runs through the city center before merging with the Styr River. Its source is in a nearby village, close to a forest and a botanical reserve.
Developing a continuous pedestrian and cycling path along the Sapalaivka will offer a convenient and scenic route for daily commuting and recreational trips. As it runs through a densely populated area, an estimated 25–35% of the population (55,000–65,000 people) could benefit from this corridor, improving urban mobility and air quality while connecting green spaces across the city.
Green Mobility
Ecological Restoration
Public Space
Community Engagement
Sustainable Urbanism
The initiative meets the key principles of sustainable development by reducing dependence on road transport, promoting active mobility and integrating natural ecosystems into the urban environment.
The main principle of the greenway is to protect and enhance existing ecosystems. The project minimises habitat fragmentation by creating ecological corridors that connect urban parks, forests and protected areas. Careful planning ensures that infrastructure development does not disrupt local flora and fauna, and help restore native species and combat land degradation. The project also aims to adapt the city to climate change. Rain gardens will be created along the route to help effectively absorb and filter rainwater and prevent flooding, and the use of permeable surfaces for paths will help manage stormwater runoff, preventing soil erosion and water pollution. In addition, the creation of floodplain meadows in the river valley can provide a home for many insects, birds and small mammals. Additional green spaces will help reduce the urban heat island effect, improve the microclimate and reduce overheating of urban spaces during hot periods. A set of these measures will stabilise the ecosystem and increase the city's biodiversity.
By providing an alternative to non-motorised transport, the project encourages walking and cycling, reducing car dependency and carbon emissions in Lutsk. Given that up to 35% of the city's population could be potential users, this could have a significant impact on improving air quality, reducing noise levels and the overall health of the city's ecosystem. Moreover, reducing the car load on the city's main transport lines will be the first step towards reconstructing and re-profiling these streets to calm private vehicle traffic and prioritise public transport, walking and cycling.
The Greenway also serves as a platform for eco-friendly businesses such as bike rentals, local organic markets and nature tourism.
The main principle of the greenway is to protect and enhance existing ecosystems. The project minimises habitat fragmentation by creating ecological corridors that connect urban parks, forests and protected areas. Careful planning ensures that infrastructure development does not disrupt local flora and fauna, and help restore native species and combat land degradation. The project also aims to adapt the city to climate change. Rain gardens will be created along the route to help effectively absorb and filter rainwater and prevent flooding, and the use of permeable surfaces for paths will help manage stormwater runoff, preventing soil erosion and water pollution. In addition, the creation of floodplain meadows in the river valley can provide a home for many insects, birds and small mammals. Additional green spaces will help reduce the urban heat island effect, improve the microclimate and reduce overheating of urban spaces during hot periods. A set of these measures will stabilise the ecosystem and increase the city's biodiversity.
By providing an alternative to non-motorised transport, the project encourages walking and cycling, reducing car dependency and carbon emissions in Lutsk. Given that up to 35% of the city's population could be potential users, this could have a significant impact on improving air quality, reducing noise levels and the overall health of the city's ecosystem. Moreover, reducing the car load on the city's main transport lines will be the first step towards reconstructing and re-profiling these streets to calm private vehicle traffic and prioritise public transport, walking and cycling.
The Greenway also serves as a platform for eco-friendly businesses such as bike rentals, local organic markets and nature tourism.
The project transforms an underutilized river corridor into a vibrant public space that fosters a strong sense of place and belonging, creating an engaging and meaningful experience for residents and visitors alike.
A key objective of the project is to ensure that the greenway reflects and enhances the unique identity of Lutsk, where rivers and wetlands have long defined the landscape and way of life. The route passes through significant historical and cultural landmarks, including a 19th-century brick brewery, a former botanical garden, and an open-air contemporary art gallery. These sites serve as focal points for public art, storytelling, and interactive installations, allowing users to connect with the city’s past and evolving identity. Thoughtfully designed seating areas, artistic wayfinding elements, and interpretive signs further reinforce the link between the greenway and Lutsk’s water-related heritage.
The landscape design prioritizes authenticity, naturalness, and the preservation of historical continuity. Carefully selected native vegetation, green buffer zones, and shaded areas enhance the aesthetic appeal while supporting biodiversity. The integration of scenic viewpoints, pedestrian bridges, and intimate gathering spaces ensures that the greenway offers not only functional mobility but also moments of reflection and engagement with nature. The design respects the historical essence of the place, using natural materials, subtle lighting, and organic forms that blend seamlessly into the environment.
Beyond aesthetics, the greenway fosters social and cultural engagement. The flexible public spaces along the route accommodate community events, performances, and temporary exhibitions, ensuring the greenway remains a dynamic and evolving cultural venue. By connecting diverse neighborhoods and providing an inviting, high-quality public realm, the project promotes social interaction, shared experiences, and a deeper emotional connection to the city.
A key objective of the project is to ensure that the greenway reflects and enhances the unique identity of Lutsk, where rivers and wetlands have long defined the landscape and way of life. The route passes through significant historical and cultural landmarks, including a 19th-century brick brewery, a former botanical garden, and an open-air contemporary art gallery. These sites serve as focal points for public art, storytelling, and interactive installations, allowing users to connect with the city’s past and evolving identity. Thoughtfully designed seating areas, artistic wayfinding elements, and interpretive signs further reinforce the link between the greenway and Lutsk’s water-related heritage.
The landscape design prioritizes authenticity, naturalness, and the preservation of historical continuity. Carefully selected native vegetation, green buffer zones, and shaded areas enhance the aesthetic appeal while supporting biodiversity. The integration of scenic viewpoints, pedestrian bridges, and intimate gathering spaces ensures that the greenway offers not only functional mobility but also moments of reflection and engagement with nature. The design respects the historical essence of the place, using natural materials, subtle lighting, and organic forms that blend seamlessly into the environment.
Beyond aesthetics, the greenway fosters social and cultural engagement. The flexible public spaces along the route accommodate community events, performances, and temporary exhibitions, ensuring the greenway remains a dynamic and evolving cultural venue. By connecting diverse neighborhoods and providing an inviting, high-quality public realm, the project promotes social interaction, shared experiences, and a deeper emotional connection to the city.
The Sapalaivka Greenway is an inclusive public space that ensures accessibility, affordability, and equal opportunities for all residents. Following design-for-all principles, it creates a universally accessible environment where people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can move freely, interact, and feel a sense of belonging. By addressing spatial segregation and fostering social connections, the greenway strengthens urban cohesion.
A key aspect of the project is universal accessibility. It features barrier-free infrastructure, including smooth, step-free pathways, tactile paving, and seating for people with limited mobility. Lighting and wayfinding accommodate different user needs, ensuring safety for elderly residents, families with children, and individuals with disabilities. The greenway is also fully free to access, eliminating economic barriers.
The project promotes social diversity and intergenerational exchange by creating multifunctional spaces where various community groups can interact. Playgrounds, rest areas, and outdoor fitness stations encourage engagement, while cultural and recreational events further enhance inclusivity. The greenway also connects historically isolated neighborhoods to the city center and green spaces, improving access for all residents.
Inclusive governance is central to the initiative. The planning process involved public consultations, participatory workshops, and engagement with local organizations to ensure the project reflects community needs. Long-term management will be supported through collaboration between local authorities, NGOs, and citizen-led initiatives, allowing continuous adaptation and improvement.
A key aspect of the project is universal accessibility. It features barrier-free infrastructure, including smooth, step-free pathways, tactile paving, and seating for people with limited mobility. Lighting and wayfinding accommodate different user needs, ensuring safety for elderly residents, families with children, and individuals with disabilities. The greenway is also fully free to access, eliminating economic barriers.
The project promotes social diversity and intergenerational exchange by creating multifunctional spaces where various community groups can interact. Playgrounds, rest areas, and outdoor fitness stations encourage engagement, while cultural and recreational events further enhance inclusivity. The greenway also connects historically isolated neighborhoods to the city center and green spaces, improving access for all residents.
Inclusive governance is central to the initiative. The planning process involved public consultations, participatory workshops, and engagement with local organizations to ensure the project reflects community needs. Long-term management will be supported through collaboration between local authorities, NGOs, and citizen-led initiatives, allowing continuous adaptation and improvement.
The Sapalaivka Urban Greenway is a community-driven project that ensures residents, civil society organizations, and stakeholders play an active role in shaping its vision. Prioritizing inclusive participation, it reflects local needs while fostering engagement and stewardship.
From the start, public consultations and workshops were held for separate sections, gradually forming a cohesive vision for the entire river. One of the workshops focused on the revitalization of an abandoned children’s railway, highlighting its cultural potential. These sessions engaged residents, cycling advocates, environmental groups, artists, and planners. Community input directly influenced design choices, including materials, rest areas, and cultural and ecological features. Our civic organization leads regular cleanup campaigns, involving local volunteers. Small and medium-sized businesses support these efforts by providing refreshments, fostering social ties. After each cleanup, we host outdoor lectures on the role of urban green spaces, raising awareness of their ecological and social benefits.
University-based ecological groups, whose campus is along the river, contribute biodiversity monitoring, while cultural organizations help integrate public art and heritage preservation into the project. These collaborations strengthen the greenway’s identity and connection to Lutsk’s history and natural environment.
Looking ahead, we aim to broaden community participation, engaging seniors, people with disabilities, and youth to shape accessibility improvements and programming. Planned educational initiatives, such as school workshops and citizen science activities, will deepen the community’s connection to the river and encourage stewardship. Through this participatory approach, the greenway has gained strong public support and fostered a sense of ownership. Active engagement ensures the space remains dynamic, adaptable, and well-maintained through ongoing civic initiatives.
From the start, public consultations and workshops were held for separate sections, gradually forming a cohesive vision for the entire river. One of the workshops focused on the revitalization of an abandoned children’s railway, highlighting its cultural potential. These sessions engaged residents, cycling advocates, environmental groups, artists, and planners. Community input directly influenced design choices, including materials, rest areas, and cultural and ecological features. Our civic organization leads regular cleanup campaigns, involving local volunteers. Small and medium-sized businesses support these efforts by providing refreshments, fostering social ties. After each cleanup, we host outdoor lectures on the role of urban green spaces, raising awareness of their ecological and social benefits.
University-based ecological groups, whose campus is along the river, contribute biodiversity monitoring, while cultural organizations help integrate public art and heritage preservation into the project. These collaborations strengthen the greenway’s identity and connection to Lutsk’s history and natural environment.
Looking ahead, we aim to broaden community participation, engaging seniors, people with disabilities, and youth to shape accessibility improvements and programming. Planned educational initiatives, such as school workshops and citizen science activities, will deepen the community’s connection to the river and encourage stewardship. Through this participatory approach, the greenway has gained strong public support and fostered a sense of ownership. Active engagement ensures the space remains dynamic, adaptable, and well-maintained through ongoing civic initiatives.
At the local level, key stakeholders include residents, civic groups, and businesses. The greenway is shaped through active engagement with hiking, running, and cycling clubs, cultural initiatives, and local communities, ensuring public needs are reflected in the project. Small businesses, such as cafés and hospitality venues, benefit from increased foot traffic, while larger developers are encouraged to adopt sustainable construction methods and minimize their ecological impact. Local governance ensures community-driven decision-making, integrating urban growth with green infrastructure.
At the regional level, cooperation extends beyond Lutsk, as the Sapalaivka River originates in a neighboring village with key wastewater treatment facilities. Modernizing these facilities requires inter-municipal collaboration, reinforcing the need for shared planning. The greenway also aims to connect urban green spaces with nearby forests and a local nature reserve, creating a continuous ecological and recreational corridor that supports biodiversity and sustainable mobility. Effective regional coordination ensures ecosystem preservation across administrative boundaries.
At the national and European levels, the Sapalaivka River flows into the Styr River, part of the Emerald Network, a Council of Europe conservation initiative. With Ukraine’s EU accession, these areas will join Natura 2000, increasing their environmental significance and requiring international cooperation. Aligning the greenway with European conservation goals strengthens biodiversity protection, environmental monitoring, and habitat restoration, supporting broader sustainability efforts.
The Sapalaivka Urban Greenway integrates local needs, regional ecological planning, and European conservation policies. By fostering cooperation across governance levels, it enhances urban mobility, ecological connectivity, and environmental resilience, setting a model for future green infrastructure development.
At the regional level, cooperation extends beyond Lutsk, as the Sapalaivka River originates in a neighboring village with key wastewater treatment facilities. Modernizing these facilities requires inter-municipal collaboration, reinforcing the need for shared planning. The greenway also aims to connect urban green spaces with nearby forests and a local nature reserve, creating a continuous ecological and recreational corridor that supports biodiversity and sustainable mobility. Effective regional coordination ensures ecosystem preservation across administrative boundaries.
At the national and European levels, the Sapalaivka River flows into the Styr River, part of the Emerald Network, a Council of Europe conservation initiative. With Ukraine’s EU accession, these areas will join Natura 2000, increasing their environmental significance and requiring international cooperation. Aligning the greenway with European conservation goals strengthens biodiversity protection, environmental monitoring, and habitat restoration, supporting broader sustainability efforts.
The Sapalaivka Urban Greenway integrates local needs, regional ecological planning, and European conservation policies. By fostering cooperation across governance levels, it enhances urban mobility, ecological connectivity, and environmental resilience, setting a model for future green infrastructure development.
The Sapalaivka Urban Greenway integrates expertise from multiple disciplines, ensuring a holistic approach to urban mobility, ecology, and public space design. By combining scientific knowledge, practical experience, and citizen input, the project balances sustainability, functionality, and community needs.
Urban planning, landscape architecture, and engineering shaped the greenway’s infrastructure. Experts collaborated to create a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly space, integrating it smoothly with urban areas while minimizing environmental impact. Engineers developed durable, low-impact pathways, while landscape architects focused on biodiversity-friendly plantings and green buffers to enhance aesthetics and ecology.
Environmental science and ecology helped preserve and restore the river ecosystem. Specialists in hydrology, botany, and conservation biology recommended native vegetation, flood-resilient landscaping, and ecological corridors to support habitat connectivity and resilience.
Cultural heritage and community engagement ensured the project honors local history and fosters social interaction. Historians and researchers identified key sites, such as the 19th-century brick brewery and the abandoned children’s railway, guiding the placement of interpretive signage and public art to strengthen cultural identity.
Public participation was central to the project. Urban activists, educators, and social scientists led consultations, workshops, and citizen science initiatives, ensuring alignment with local needs. Collaboration with local businesses and environmental groups reinforced long-term stewardship.
This transdisciplinary approach merged technical expertise with community knowledge, resulting in a functional, ecologically sustainable, and culturally rich public space. Cross-field collaboration ensured the greenway is well-designed and deeply connected to heritage, nature, and local identity.
Urban planning, landscape architecture, and engineering shaped the greenway’s infrastructure. Experts collaborated to create a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly space, integrating it smoothly with urban areas while minimizing environmental impact. Engineers developed durable, low-impact pathways, while landscape architects focused on biodiversity-friendly plantings and green buffers to enhance aesthetics and ecology.
Environmental science and ecology helped preserve and restore the river ecosystem. Specialists in hydrology, botany, and conservation biology recommended native vegetation, flood-resilient landscaping, and ecological corridors to support habitat connectivity and resilience.
Cultural heritage and community engagement ensured the project honors local history and fosters social interaction. Historians and researchers identified key sites, such as the 19th-century brick brewery and the abandoned children’s railway, guiding the placement of interpretive signage and public art to strengthen cultural identity.
Public participation was central to the project. Urban activists, educators, and social scientists led consultations, workshops, and citizen science initiatives, ensuring alignment with local needs. Collaboration with local businesses and environmental groups reinforced long-term stewardship.
This transdisciplinary approach merged technical expertise with community knowledge, resulting in a functional, ecologically sustainable, and culturally rich public space. Cross-field collaboration ensured the greenway is well-designed and deeply connected to heritage, nature, and local identity.
The Sapalaivka Urban Greenway is an innovative project integrating green mobility, ecological restoration, and cultural heritage. Unlike mainstream mobility projects that focus on cars or isolated green initiatives, it creates a multifunctional corridor benefiting both people and nature.
A key innovation is the fusion of green mobility with ecological connectivity. While most cycling projects focus on transportation, the greenway also serves as an ecological corridor, linking urban green spaces with regional natural areas. This enhances biodiversity, climate resilience, and air quality, making it a model for integrating mobility with conservation.
Another distinction is its community-driven approach. Unlike top-down urban projects, the greenway was shaped through public consultations, workshops, and local activism. Civic organizations lead river cleanups, environmental education, and cultural programming, ensuring long-term community involvement.
The project also reclaims public riverbanks as accessible green spaces, countering urban land privatization. Instead of costly land acquisition, it offers an inclusive, low-impact alternative to car-oriented development.
Finally, the greenway integrates historical and cultural elements, setting it apart from standard mobility projects. By revitalizing sites like the abandoned children’s railway and historic brick mill, it connects past and present, creating a space that is both functional and culturally significant.
With its holistic, community-led, and environmentally conscious design, the Sapalaivka Urban Greenway is a scalable model for cities merging urban mobility with ecological and cultural sustainability.
A key innovation is the fusion of green mobility with ecological connectivity. While most cycling projects focus on transportation, the greenway also serves as an ecological corridor, linking urban green spaces with regional natural areas. This enhances biodiversity, climate resilience, and air quality, making it a model for integrating mobility with conservation.
Another distinction is its community-driven approach. Unlike top-down urban projects, the greenway was shaped through public consultations, workshops, and local activism. Civic organizations lead river cleanups, environmental education, and cultural programming, ensuring long-term community involvement.
The project also reclaims public riverbanks as accessible green spaces, countering urban land privatization. Instead of costly land acquisition, it offers an inclusive, low-impact alternative to car-oriented development.
Finally, the greenway integrates historical and cultural elements, setting it apart from standard mobility projects. By revitalizing sites like the abandoned children’s railway and historic brick mill, it connects past and present, creating a space that is both functional and culturally significant.
With its holistic, community-led, and environmentally conscious design, the Sapalaivka Urban Greenway is a scalable model for cities merging urban mobility with ecological and cultural sustainability.
The Sapalaivka Urban Greenway follows a participatory, evidence-based, and interdisciplinary approach, balancing urban mobility, ecological restoration, and community engagement. The methodology ensures the project is responsive, scalable, and sustainable.
A key aspect is participatory planning. Through public consultations, workshops, and stakeholder meetings, residents, businesses, and environmental groups shaped the project’s vision. This ensures the greenway meets community needs while fostering long-term stewardship. One workshop focused on revitalizing the abandoned children’s railway, integrating cultural heritage into the plan.
The project employs an evidence-based, ecosystem-driven approach. Urban planners, ecologists, and mobility experts conducted spatial analysis and environmental impact assessments to guide design decisions. The route was selected to maximize green space connectivity while minimizing ecological disruption. Nature-based solutions, such as permeable surfaces and ecological buffers, enhance climate resilience.
An adaptive implementation strategy enables phased development. Pilot projects, temporary cycling lanes, and habitat restoration allow real-world testing, with adjustments based on community feedback and monitoring.
The project also fosters cross-sector collaboration. Experts in urban planning, transportation, ecology, and cultural heritage work together to ensure integrated, sustainable solutions. Partnerships with universities, businesses, and civic organizations support ongoing research and education.
By combining participatory planning, evidence-based design, adaptive implementation, and interdisciplinary cooperation, the Sapalaivka Urban Greenway provides a scalable model for integrating green mobility and ecological restoration in cities.
A key aspect is participatory planning. Through public consultations, workshops, and stakeholder meetings, residents, businesses, and environmental groups shaped the project’s vision. This ensures the greenway meets community needs while fostering long-term stewardship. One workshop focused on revitalizing the abandoned children’s railway, integrating cultural heritage into the plan.
The project employs an evidence-based, ecosystem-driven approach. Urban planners, ecologists, and mobility experts conducted spatial analysis and environmental impact assessments to guide design decisions. The route was selected to maximize green space connectivity while minimizing ecological disruption. Nature-based solutions, such as permeable surfaces and ecological buffers, enhance climate resilience.
An adaptive implementation strategy enables phased development. Pilot projects, temporary cycling lanes, and habitat restoration allow real-world testing, with adjustments based on community feedback and monitoring.
The project also fosters cross-sector collaboration. Experts in urban planning, transportation, ecology, and cultural heritage work together to ensure integrated, sustainable solutions. Partnerships with universities, businesses, and civic organizations support ongoing research and education.
By combining participatory planning, evidence-based design, adaptive implementation, and interdisciplinary cooperation, the Sapalaivka Urban Greenway provides a scalable model for integrating green mobility and ecological restoration in cities.
The Sapalaivka Urban Greenway provides a scalable model that can be adapted to various locations, combining green mobility, ecological corridors, and public space development for sustainable urban and rural planning. Several key elements of the project can be transferred to other contexts.
The integration of green mobility with ecological corridors is a flexible solution for areas with small rivers, drainage channels, or reclamation canals. In rural areas, green corridors can enhance tourism, improve connectivity between settlements, and address ecosystem fragmentation. This model helps small towns strengthen local economies, biodiversity, and sustainable transport networks, fostering regional integration.
In urban areas, where land is often privatized, rivers and their buffer zones typically remain public, making them ideal for greenways and recreational spaces. Cities facing similar land-use challenges can use this approach to develop linear parks, active mobility routes, and sports facilities along urban waterways, improving access to green spaces and climate resilience.
The methodology behind managing a multi-sectoral project with diverse stakeholders is another transferable aspect. The Sapalaivka Greenway shows how participatory processes and interdisciplinary collaboration create community-centered urban development. Sharing these insights through conferences, forums, and expert consultations supports professionals working on similar initiatives.
By applying the lessons of the Sapalaivka Urban Greenway, other regions can develop sustainable mobility networks, ecological corridors, and inclusive public spaces, enhancing environmental and social well-being.
The integration of green mobility with ecological corridors is a flexible solution for areas with small rivers, drainage channels, or reclamation canals. In rural areas, green corridors can enhance tourism, improve connectivity between settlements, and address ecosystem fragmentation. This model helps small towns strengthen local economies, biodiversity, and sustainable transport networks, fostering regional integration.
In urban areas, where land is often privatized, rivers and their buffer zones typically remain public, making them ideal for greenways and recreational spaces. Cities facing similar land-use challenges can use this approach to develop linear parks, active mobility routes, and sports facilities along urban waterways, improving access to green spaces and climate resilience.
The methodology behind managing a multi-sectoral project with diverse stakeholders is another transferable aspect. The Sapalaivka Greenway shows how participatory processes and interdisciplinary collaboration create community-centered urban development. Sharing these insights through conferences, forums, and expert consultations supports professionals working on similar initiatives.
By applying the lessons of the Sapalaivka Urban Greenway, other regions can develop sustainable mobility networks, ecological corridors, and inclusive public spaces, enhancing environmental and social well-being.
The Sapalaivka Urban Greenway addresses global challenges through local solutions, enhancing sustainability, resilience, and urban livability. By integrating green mobility, ecological restoration, and community-driven planning, it offers a model for tackling environmental and social issues at a city scale.
A key challenge the project addresses is climate change and urban resilience. By promoting cycling and walking, the greenway reduces carbon emissions and supports low-impact mobility, helping to combat air pollution. Green infrastructure, such as permeable surfaces, tree canopies, and floodplain meadows, mitigates urban heat islands, enhances stormwater management, and reduces flood risks linked to climate change.
The project also contributes to biodiversity conservation by transforming the Sapalaivka River into an ecological corridor, connecting urban green spaces with protected areas. Restoring native vegetation and creating wildlife-friendly habitats support biodiversity, aligning with global conservation goals and the EU’s Natura 2000 framework.
Another major issue addressed is urbanization and loss of public space. With increasing land privatization, many cities lack accessible green areas. The greenway reclaims underutilized riverbanks for recreation, culture, and social interaction, ensuring green spaces remain public and inclusive.
The project also fosters community engagement and participatory urbanism, countering disconnected governance and lack of civic involvement. Through public consultations and citizen-led initiatives, residents help shape their environment, strengthening social cohesion, local identity, and shared responsibility.
By addressing these challenges with scalable local solutions, the Sapalaivka Urban Greenway demonstrates how cities can become more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient in the face of environmental and social change.
A key challenge the project addresses is climate change and urban resilience. By promoting cycling and walking, the greenway reduces carbon emissions and supports low-impact mobility, helping to combat air pollution. Green infrastructure, such as permeable surfaces, tree canopies, and floodplain meadows, mitigates urban heat islands, enhances stormwater management, and reduces flood risks linked to climate change.
The project also contributes to biodiversity conservation by transforming the Sapalaivka River into an ecological corridor, connecting urban green spaces with protected areas. Restoring native vegetation and creating wildlife-friendly habitats support biodiversity, aligning with global conservation goals and the EU’s Natura 2000 framework.
Another major issue addressed is urbanization and loss of public space. With increasing land privatization, many cities lack accessible green areas. The greenway reclaims underutilized riverbanks for recreation, culture, and social interaction, ensuring green spaces remain public and inclusive.
The project also fosters community engagement and participatory urbanism, countering disconnected governance and lack of civic involvement. Through public consultations and citizen-led initiatives, residents help shape their environment, strengthening social cohesion, local identity, and shared responsibility.
By addressing these challenges with scalable local solutions, the Sapalaivka Urban Greenway demonstrates how cities can become more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient in the face of environmental and social change.
The Sapalaivka Urban Greenway has a clear roadmap for further development, focusing on planning, stakeholder engagement, pilot interventions, and awareness campaigns over the next year.
The first step is finalizing technical planning and securing funding. This includes refining the design of infrastructure elements, such as pathways and green buffer zones, while exploring financing through municipal budgets, grants, and public-private partnerships. Engaging local businesses and environmental groups will help expand support and attract investment.
Strengthening regional and inter-municipal cooperation is a priority. Since the Sapalaivka River originates outside Lutsk, collaboration with neighboring communities will address wastewater treatment modernization and ecological corridor expansion. Coordination with regional agencies and urban planners will ensure integration into a broader green infrastructure network.
Pilot interventions will demonstrate the project’s impact through temporary cycling lanes, public space activations, and biodiversity restoration, such as tree planting and habitat enhancement. Regular cleanup events, outdoor lectures, and cultural initiatives will continue, fostering public engagement and community ownership.
A communication and advocacy strategy will promote the project through media outreach, public presentations, and collaborations with universities, civic groups, and policymakers. Participation in national and international forums will facilitate knowledge exchange, positioning the project as a model for sustainable urban development.
By advancing these steps, the Sapalaivka Urban Greenway will gain momentum, ensuring long-term success and integration into Lutsk’s urban and ecological framework.
The first step is finalizing technical planning and securing funding. This includes refining the design of infrastructure elements, such as pathways and green buffer zones, while exploring financing through municipal budgets, grants, and public-private partnerships. Engaging local businesses and environmental groups will help expand support and attract investment.
Strengthening regional and inter-municipal cooperation is a priority. Since the Sapalaivka River originates outside Lutsk, collaboration with neighboring communities will address wastewater treatment modernization and ecological corridor expansion. Coordination with regional agencies and urban planners will ensure integration into a broader green infrastructure network.
Pilot interventions will demonstrate the project’s impact through temporary cycling lanes, public space activations, and biodiversity restoration, such as tree planting and habitat enhancement. Regular cleanup events, outdoor lectures, and cultural initiatives will continue, fostering public engagement and community ownership.
A communication and advocacy strategy will promote the project through media outreach, public presentations, and collaborations with universities, civic groups, and policymakers. Participation in national and international forums will facilitate knowledge exchange, positioning the project as a model for sustainable urban development.
By advancing these steps, the Sapalaivka Urban Greenway will gain momentum, ensuring long-term success and integration into Lutsk’s urban and ecological framework.
