Toponyms have already been renamed in many Ukrainian cities and towns. People refuse to honor the memory of Russian, Soviet, and imperial figures, celebrate their memorable dates and other names not related to our history and culture. This cleansing of public space was caused primarily by the full-scale war launched by Russia against Ukraine.

In fact, renaming is a rather complicated process (if it’s done properly, without haste and changing bad to worse, and with the engagement of the community and experts). The tips on how to rename toponyms can be found in the Guide to Decolonizing Ukrainian Cities. 

Renaming streets, lanes, squares, and other toponyms on the territory of a settlement is within the powers of village, town, and city councils.

But citizens have opportunities to influence this process! So, if you have suggestions for renaming toponyms or think that some decisions should be reconsidered, you can:

• Submit petitions demanding to rename toponyms, cancel decisions to rename toponyms, or initiate reconsideration of names for individual objects (sample). For example, in Kyiv and Sumy, active residents created petitions for the decolonization of certain names which were then considered at council meetings;
• Instruct MPs to put the issue of renaming certain names on the agenda for consideration / reconsideration;
• Submit a local initiative with a request to rename urban names or reconsider “problematic” names.

Importantly, after the cessation of martial law, which can restrict citizens' rights to peaceful assembly, residents will also have the opportunity to influence the city council’s decisions through public hearings and reporting meetings.

“In future renaming procedures, I would include a mandatory survey of residents. Of course, the final decision is made by the city, the majority of citizens. But all three stages are important: polling the street, experts, and public voting all together”, — says A. Drobovych, head of the Institute of National Memory of Ukraine.

Finally, we invite you to participate actively in consultations and voting for new toponyms. After all, according to the study by the Transparent Cities program on the derussification of Ukrainian cities, in more than 60% of cases, local self-government bodies (LSGBs) involve citizens in developing new variants of names.

As the decolonization law has come into force, by January 27, 2024, LSGBs must change such toponyms that are still symbols of Russian imperial policy.