Diversity of suburban spaces: The case of rural street in Kyiv’s changing suburbia

This article explores the heterogeneity of suburban spaces to better understand the characteristics and indicators of diversity within suburbs, emphasising their temporal dimensions and the smallest spatial units exhibiting varied trajectories of change. It aims to discuss the concepts of newness and spatial unevenness in suburban areas and conduct a spatio-temporal analysis of suburban heterogeneity at the level of an individual rural street, using a newly developed methodology for calculating the Index of Uneven Suburban Development (IUSD). The analysis is based on satellite imagery from Google Earth (2005–2022) and fieldwork conducted between 2017 and 2024. A methodology was developed to assess suburban heterogeneity, considering the land functions, spatial, economic, social, and environmental aspects, along with land use types, development patterns, and the accessibility of everyday amenities. Using a rural street in Kyiv’s suburbs as a case study, the article identifies key factors influencing different suburban development trajectories. It highlights differences in landuse patterns between the ‘old’ and ‘new’ sections of the street. Notably, within the ‘new’ section, internal heterogeneity emerges, dividing it into ‘newer wealthier’ and ‘older poorer’ areas, with varying development types and land use. The findings open up new avenues for further discussions on models of suburban space development and future research on urban, suburban, and rural lifestyles, particularly through the lens of the proposed Index of Uneven Suburban Development.