Methods of Green Zone Reconstruction in High-Density Residential Blocks: An Inclusive Approach (Case Study of the Hushcha Block in Lutsk)

Abstract

Today, the strategic renovation and comprehensive expansion of landscape and recreational infrastructure within Ukraine’s urban areas have become of critical importance. Full-scale military aggression has led to a rapid increase in the number of citizens – both war veterans and civilians – who require long-term recovery and high-quality, inclusive rehabilitation directly within residential communities. The existing network of public green spaces in residential areas, particularly in densely built-up neighborhoods, fails to meet modern accessibility standards and occupational therapy needs, creating an urgent need for systematic approaches to modernizing public spaces.
This study examines the urgent need to revitalize the recreational framework of urban neighborhoods, specifically analyzing the challenges associated with the lack of an inclusive environment and the neglect of areas adjacent to residential buildings. Using the example of the Hushcha neighborhood in Lutsk, which, due to high building density, faces critical pressure on its green spaces, the paper justifies the prospects for creating multifunctional rehabilitation zones. Particular attention is paid to the principles of spatial planning, the creation of therapeutic landscapes, and the integration of existing spaces adapted to the needs of people with limited mobility.
The redevelopment of green spaces, based on the principles of transformability and multifunctionality, allows for the rapid adaptation of a site’s functional purpose to the dynamic needs of residents, ranging from active physical rehabilitation to peaceful psychological recovery. The implementation of environmentally oriented solutions, in particular “urban gardens” and vertical greening, should be viewed not as a one-time improvement but as a long-term social investment. Such a strategy not only guarantees the constitutional right to a dignified and accessible environment for every affected person but also significantly increases the resilience of the urban healthcare and social protection system.
The study’s findings confirm that the scientifically grounded modernization of recreational areas in the Hushcha neighborhood contributes to the creation of a comprehensive restorative environment that integrates the physical and psycho-emotional components of rehabilitation. This not only optimizes recovery processes but also ensures the full social integration of patients, improves the quality of their daily lives, and strengthens social cohesion within the residential community.