In the wake of the devastating impact of military operations on Ukraine’s transport infrastructure, a shift in focus from development to restoration has become imperative. This shift, coupled with economic uncertainty and labor market challenges, has necessitated innovative approaches to infrastructure projects. At the forefront of this transformation is Artem Bezuglyi, a researcher from the State Enterprise «National Institute for Development Іnfrastructure» (SE «NIDI») in Kyiv, Ukraine. His recent study, published in the journal ‘Дороги і мости’ (which translates to ‘Roads and Bridges’), explores the potential of innovative contract forms, such as design-build, in the restoration of Ukraine’s transport infrastructure.
Bezuglyi’s research is timely and crucial, given the unique challenges faced by Ukraine’s transport sector. “The transport infrastructure of Ukraine by 2022 was actively updated through the implementation of the National Transport Strategy of Ukraine for the period until 2023 and the «Great Construction» program,” Bezuglyi explains. “However, the change in focus to restoration and reconstruction is complemented by a set of other challenges, including military operations, economic uncertainty, and labor market shortages due to mobilization.”
The study, which analyzes data from 2019 to 2024, including public procurements for infrastructure projects, aims to generalize the main provisions of innovative contract forms and substantiate their potential for the restoration of Ukraine’s transport infrastructure. Bezuglyi’s research is not just about understanding the past but also about shaping the future.
The implications of this research extend beyond Ukraine’s borders, offering valuable insights for the global construction and energy sectors. As transport infrastructure is a critical component of energy supply chains, the innovative contract forms explored in this study could potentially revolutionize how infrastructure projects are managed and executed worldwide.
Bezuglyi’s work is a testament to the power of scientific research in driving practical, real-world solutions. As the world grapples with the impacts of conflict and climate change on infrastructure, his findings could provide a roadmap for resilient and sustainable infrastructure development.
In the words of Bezuglyi, “The purpose of the study is to generalize the main provisions of innovative forms of contracts (design-build) in the context of the experience of implementing infrastructure projects in 2019-2024 and to substantiate their potential for the restoration of the transport infrastructure of Ukraine.” This research is not just about restoring what was lost but also about building a more resilient and sustainable future.