Environmental assessment of urban landscapes of Minsk

Abstract

The research presents the approach of assessment of state of the environment for big city using methods of landscape ecology. The assessment has been made for the capital of Republic of Belarus, Minsk city. The methodology of integrated environmental assessment of urban landscapes which take into account natural environment and specific urban use has been developed. Urban landscapes were used as an evaluation units for this research. For the territory of Minsk 26 types of urban landscapes were identified which were combined into 9 groups with relatively homogeneous elements of natural and anthropogenic spatial structure of the city. The assessment includes the following stages: factor analysis of natural (air, soil and topographic features urban area) and anthropogenic (location of industrial facilities, specifics of urban planning) components of urban landscapes; and integrated assessment. The results of the assessment describe the territory of Minsk by satisfactory conditions. The main residential areas of the city locate on the territories with favorable and satisfactory environmental conditions. Further planning of urban infrastructure in the city requires more detailed assessments and monitoring.