The Pilot Project – Collaboration for the rebuilding of Ukraine

Since Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014, and especially since the full-scale invasion of 2022, huge amounts of damage and destruction have been done not only to people’s lives but also to buildings and infrastructure across Ukraine. Although the defence of the country and the push back of the Russian forces continues, Ukraine and its allies already look to the future, and to rebuilding after the war.

Image showing the damage to buildings in Ukraine. Image by IChSTU

The Cherkasy State Technological University (ChSTU) in Ukraine and the Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) at the University of East London have partnered up to begin the first steps of rebuilding Ukraine through the “Pilot Project”.

In this project, funded as part of the Universities UK’s “twin for hope” initiative, the University of East London have twinned with Cherkasy State Technological University (ChSTU) to assess whether communities and civil groups could be trained in the use of drones to collect building damage data using small drones, and whether the data collected could be assessed by volunteers across the world.

Many buildings will be damaged and destroyed because of the invasion and the first step to reconstruction is to build a picture of the extent of the damage across Ukraine. In this initial pilot project, colleagues in ChSTU are training students to use drones to conduct survey flights and collect data to create 3D models of the buildings. We will then convene a panel of building and structural experts to evaluate whether the data collected by the students is suitable for performing a building damage assessment and how suitable the approach would be for scaling up across the whole country.

In September 2023, students from ChSTU went on a field trip to Irpin, on the northwest outskirts of Kyiv. Russian forces were held off and repelled in Irpin by Ukrainian troops, which stopped Russian troops from advancing to the capital of Kyiv. As a result, Irpin suffered heavy damage from Russia’s full-scale invasion in early 2022.

The first stop of the day, at the entrance to Irpin, stands a pile of destroyed cars. Unable to protect their occupants, they now stand as a memorial to the victims of Russian crimes.

Image by ChSTU

Memorials to the devastation in Ukraine. Image by ChSTU

Over the past few months ChSTU students have been learning and practicing how to use a small drone to fly survey missions, collecting image data to generate 3D models of structures. Now in Irpin the students had the chance to deploy their skills in the real world.

Students applying their new drone skills in the real world. Image by ChSTU.

A children’s sports centre damaged during the invasion. One of the buildings being surveyed. Image by ChSTU.

One of the most striking buildings the students surveyed was a sports centre for children. Although it was almost destroyed, children continued to play football, a testament to the resilience of the Ukrainian people.

The students also surveyed damaged apartment blocks which some people still live in.

Damaged apartment buildings that are still occupied. Image by ChSTU.

The students will use the images collected with their drone to create 3D models of the buildings. These models will then be assessed by structural experts to give building damage assessments and give an understanding of the utility of the models produced in providing assessments.

This “Pilot Project” is enabling staff and students at ChSTU to become international experts in conducting building damage assessments due to conflict using drones and this very real experience the students had will stand them in good stead for the work ahead.

Initially we thought it would be impossible fly the drone away from the university campus due to martial law restrictions, but thanks to a project extension by Universities UK, the hard work of our colleagues at ChSTU, and participation from Kyiv Oblast State Military Administration, it was made possible.

Beyond this project the next step will be to scale up the approach of volunteer led drone assisted building damage assessment across the whole of Ukraine. As part of the “pilot project” an evaluation of how to scale up the approach will be done.

Image by Sam Jelliman (SRI)

After scaling up, the next step will be to include opportunity mapping for rebuilding with better sustainability credentials and incorporating nature into redevelopment. The “Pilot Project” is supporting ChSTU to become leaders in drone assisted building damage assessment, enabling them to effectively support Ukraine in its recovery and reconstruction in de-occupied areas and in due course, all across Ukraine.

Students practicing their drone skills. Image by ChSTU

By Sam Jelliman