Environmental aspects of densification of residential development in urbanized territories (Case study: Kazan City)

Abstract

The article discusses the features of the impact of compaction of residential development on the most important environmental component of the urbanized system – landscaping of house territories. Using the example of the city of Kazan, the study considered the environmental consequences of compaction and compared two types of development, that is, complex and point-based, implemented in different historical periods: 1959-1979 and 2000-2019. Digital models of courtyards and land plots containing residential objects and green spaces created by the authors allowed us to make calculations and further comparisons of specific indicators that characterize the main features of the point and complex buildings. Within the limits of residential development formed in the period 2000-2019, the specific indicators of local greening do not correspond to the approved urban planning normative values. This fact leads to negative consequences, which include the destruction and suppression of existing landscaping, reducing the area of green zones, increasing the anthropogenic load on the territory, etc. These processes affect the quality of the urban environment for both residents of new buildings and residents of the compacted area. The world experience of urban development shows that "compact" building is a means of solving many problems that arise in a dynamically developing urbanized territory. However, Russian practice shows that spot or compaction construction, as one of the means of implementing compactness, usually leads to a deterioration in the quality of the urban environment.

Keywords

• urbanized territory
• compaction
• spot development
• residential development
• urban planning
• greening of local territories