The legal significance of the state environmental review when solving urban environmental problems

The research discusses the legal significance of the state environmental review when providing a favorable environment in cities. Based on the understanding of the legal nature of the environmental review and the analysis of the legislative amendments, the author compares it with the town-planning review, identifies the shortcomings of the latter in the field of the environmental protection and proves that the state environmental review is indispensable in conserving the environment in cities. Taking into account the environmental features in megacities, the author proposes the priority measures to improve the institution of state environmental review. The research findings can serve as a basis for further studies. Besides, they will define the key improvements in the environmental law in cities and the environmental review being implemented.