Planning structure and urban design features in the Russian Far East South (on the example of Birobidzhan)

This paper analyzes the planning structure of the Russian Far East towns, in its southern part. This structure serves as a basis for their ecological state and urbanized territories improvement. The author has identified the planning structure ecological features (types of development), taking into account urban planning norms and rules. It has been considered their current environmental conditions and the main causes of the regional towns’ unfavorable environmental situation since the period of their formation and development: the buffer zone absence between residential and industrial areas; infrastructure and social facilities location, such as industrial enterprises, airports, and tailings facilities, within the town limits; uneven distribution of green areas; overcrowded buildings, lack of green spaces for urban residents, etc. In the southern part of the Russian Far East, 46% of the population lives in environmentally hazardous conditions (category II). The author outlines the approaches to the eco-friendly urban environment formation, taking into account current requirements for the urban development, on the example of Birobidzhan. This approach indicators include a reasonable ratio of built-up and undeveloped areas, as well as the presence of open, green, and sanitary-protection zones. In the southern part of the Russian Far East, the average share of open spaces in towns is 50.7%. For medium-sized and small towns, the average share is 58.5%, which shows a favorable situation for maintaining the urban environment ecological stability. As a strategic measure for optimizing the urban environment quality and ensuring comfortable living conditions for the population, it is proposed to create an ecological framework for every urban area, with planting green spaces and efficient use of territorial reserves.