This event is a free, one-hour lecture, hosted by Oxford University’s Sustainable Urban Development programme. The event will be live-streamed from our Lecture Theatre, so you have the option to join us online or in person.

Cities are often the first responders in times of crisis – whether conflict, climate disaster, or migration. This lecture by keynote speaker Ievgeniia Kopytsia, draws on Ukraine’s experience to examine how cities on the frontlines of conflict can become laboratories for transformative recovery, reimagining housing, climate adaptation, legal frameworks, and participatory governance. It explores the challenges and opportunities of urban crisis response, highlighting the role of local leadership, adaptive policy, and cross-sector collaboration in building more resilient, inclusive urban futures amidst profound disruption.