In the beginning of September, BridgeUSA Ukraine Program for Resilience and Reconstruction (UPRR) finalist Dr. Sergiy Kostrikov, Professor of the Department of Human Geography and Regional Studies, Faculty of Geology, Geography, Recreation and Tourism, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, started his academic fellowship at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. As part of the program, Dr. Kostrikov has engaged in teaching, research, academic exchange, and community activities, building connections between Ukrainian and American scholars while sharing his expertise in urban geography, GIS, and the study of urban environments.
Introducing Dr. Sergiy Kostrikov 
Dr. Sergiy Kostrikov is a geographer and researcher at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University whose academic work focuses on urban environments, geospatial analysis, and the development of innovative approaches to understanding complex urban systems. His research profile includes the Urbo-Geographic System Approach (UGSA), as well as the application of GIS, LiDAR, and artificial intelligence to the analysis of urban change and the assessment of damage to urban environments.
Teaching, research, and academic exchange
Dr. Kostrikov began his academic activities at Miami University with intensive engagement in teaching and research. So far he has already conducted:
- A four-hour practical GIS session for students, introducing them to concepts and approaches drawn from his research experience. The session provided an opportunity for students to
explore geospatial methods through an international academic perspective.
- Lecture, “Kharkiv and Karazin University in the Face of War: A Geopolitical Perspective on Ukraine’s Second City,” examined Kharkiv’s geographic and strategic significance, the impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion, and the resilience of the city and V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. The presentation was followed by an extensive discussion and questions addressing the current situation in Kharkiv and the challenges and opportunities associated with the city’s future recovery.
- Lecture, “The Urbo-Geographic System Approach (UGSA) for Studying the Urban Environment: My Research Profile,” offered a more technical exploration of Dr. Kostrikov’s research. He presented the four-level architecture of the UGSA framework and discussed the use of LiDAR and artificial intelligence for detecting changes in urban environments and assessing damage.
Exploring urban resilience and community connections
Beyond the university campus, Dr. Kostrikov’s fellowship has provided opportunities to explore the urban environment of southwestern Ohio and examine approaches to urban development, community identity, and post-industrial transformation.
During his visit to Cincinnati, Dr. Kostrikov joined colleagues from Oxford’s sister city of Dubno, representatives of Ukrainian universities, and members of the Oxford City Council for a day of urban exploration and exchange. The group examined Cincinnati’s downtown, riverfront, historic landmarks, and public spaces, considering how the city has preserved elements of its identity while adapting to economic and urban transformation.
For Dr. Kostrikov, these observations also provided an opportunity to consider how international examples of urban renewal might inform future thinking about the reconstruction and transformation of Kharkiv.
BridgeUSA Ukraine Program for Resilience and Reconstruction (BridgeUSA UPRR) is funded by the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv with additional funding provided by U.S. host institutions and administered by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS.