Simonas Gentvilas: Lithuania to accelerate Ukraine's reconstruction by providing 3D virtual city planning tools
On Friday, the Environment Minister, Simonas Gentvilas, attended the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) High-Level International Conference on Climate Change in Vienna. During the conference, Minister Gentvilas met with OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid to discuss options for enhancing action in Ukraine. Additionally, he had a meeting with Ruslan Strilets, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine, to address aspects of nature restoration and infrastructure rehabilitation.
The severity of Russia's attacks on Ukraine has escalated to an unprecedented level, marked by the deliberate destruction of the Novaya Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam. This ecological catastrophe is expected to have long-lasting effects on ecology, agriculture, human health, and biodiversity. Moreover, it poses a threat to the safety of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and undermines global achievements in the fight against climate change. Minister Gentvilas emphasized the urgent need for increased OSCE engagement in Ukraine during the conference, focusing on disaster risk management, the transition to sustainable energy infrastructure, efficient water management, and ecological recovery.
In a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine, Simonas Gentvilas discussed cooperation opportunities for a quicker and more efficient reconstruction of Ukraine's war-torn regions. Lithuania has already completed its first infrastructure rehabilitation project in Ukraine, delivering a mobile settlement in Borodjanka to the Ukrainians. Furthermore, plans are underway to repair a kindergarten in Irpin and a school in Borodjanka by September.
The discussion also touched upon a pilot project, where Lithuania would provide 3D virtual town planning tools to Ukrainian municipalities affected by the war.
"As we plan for the sustainable and environmentally friendly rehabilitation and reconstruction of Ukrainian cities, we are initiating a pilot project to provide 3D virtual urban planning tools to municipalities affected by the war. This software aids urban planners and policymakers in visualizing urban areas in virtual space and re-planning them in a state-of-the-art manner," stated Simonas Gentvilas, Minister of Environment.
3D urban planning tools assist in identifying optimal locations for green infrastructure projects, such as parks, street plantings, rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavements. This allows cities to assess and mitigate the environmental impact on the climate.
The project will be executed by the Agency for the Development of the Construction Sector, which is currently seeking potential sponsors.
The conference drew attendance from representatives of OSCE member states, climate security experts, and practitioners, including the United States President Joe Biden's climate envoy, John Kerry.