Infrastructure accessibility for low-mobility population groups in war conditions: challenges and necessity

The article explores one of the most pressing and complex issues of modern Ukrainian society – infrastructural accessibility for low-mobility population groups in the context of the full-scale war that has been ongoing in Ukraine since 2022. The author places particular emphasis on the critical challenges faced daily by people with disabilities, the elderly, individuals with temporary mobility impairments, and internally displaced persons who are forced to relocate due to hostilities. The article stresses that limitations in the physical environment – such as the absence of ramps, elevators, adapted shelters, and accessible transportation – transform from a social inconvenience into a direct threat to life and health during wartime. The paper analyzes the actual state of accessibility of key infrastructure facilities, including protective structures (shelters), evacuation routes, public transportation, healthcare institutions, temporary accommodation centers for displaced persons, and administrative buildings. The author identifies the main causes of infrastructural inaccessibility: outdated architectural solutions, violations of state building standards, a lack of universal design practices, insufficient government accountability, and limited public participation in decision-making processes. The article also highlights the positive experiences of local self-government bodies, civil society organizations, charitable foundations, and international partners that have implemented projects aimed at improving environmental inclusivity under wartime conditions – such as mobile shelters with ramps, inclusive evacuation trains, and awareness campaigns promoting accessibility. It further analyzes the effectiveness and sustainability of such initiatives and assesses their potential for expansion to other regions. The author emphasizes that ensuring infrastructural accessibility in wartime is not only a manifestation of care for vulnerable populations, but also a crucial element of humanitarian security, community resilience, and the state’s capacity to fulfill its fundamental functions. Based on the analysis, the article offers recommendations for integrating the principles of universal design into Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction, and strategic urban planning processes. It also stresses the urgent need to shift from a declarative policy approach to the practical implementation of inclusive solutions for all citizens.