Legal and organizational foundations of urban resilience in Ukraine

The article presents a comprehensive study of the concept of urban resilience as an innovative approach to managing urban development in the context of growing global challenges, including climate change, urbanization pressure, military threats, technological accidents, and socio-economic crises. It analyzes the evolution of the term “resilience” from its initial ecological interpretation as the ability of natural systems to recover, to the modern interdisciplinary approach that takes into account legal, managerial, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of urban area development. The legal and organizational foundations for ensuring the viability of Ukrainian cities are examined, with an outline of key institutions and their powers in enhancing urban resilience. A comparative analysis of the international experience of leading countries (the Netherlands, Singapore, Japan, Germany) focuses on legal mechanisms, financial instruments, and governance models that support cities’ adaptation to various threats. The research reveals fragmentation and inconsistencies in the national legal framework in the fields of urban planning, civil protection, environmental safety, and local self-government, highlighting the need for systematic legislative improvement. The importance of inter-municipal partnerships, the implementation of innovative financial mechanisms, digital governance technologies, and active public participation in the development of resilience enhancement plans is emphasized. It is proposed to integrate best international practices into the domestic territorial development model to increase the capacity of Ukrainian cities to effectively respond to crises, minimize their consequences, and ensure sustainable development. The introduction of innovative management methods, strengthening legal regulation, and developing partnerships between municipalities create conditions for increasing the adaptability of cities to various threats. The results of the study may serve as a basis for updating strategic documents at the national and municipal levels, developing sectoral programs, improving legal acts, and shaping a national policy for enhancing urban resilience.