Link for download: Structural and functional organization of Moscow green elements in the context of sustainable development.docx
Authors: Olga Alekseevna Illarionova
Annotation: The study aims to assess the role of green infrastructure (GI) in increasing the sustainability of Moscow, the largest metropolis in Russia, where more than 75% of the population lives in urbanized conditions. The relevance of the work is due to the need for a balance between man-made development and the preservation of ecosystem services, which corresponds to Sustainable Development Goal 11. Based on field studies and remote sensing data (Sentinel-2 satellite, 2024), four structural and functional types of GI elements were identified: small local, small block, medium district, and large urban. It was found that their contribution to sustainable development is determined not only by size, but also by localization, origin of vegetation, and management practices. Large elements (forest parks, protected areas) that provide key regulatory and supporting ecosystem services are facing fragmentation, littering, and weakening legal protection due to changes in legislation. Medium-sized objects (parks, squares), despite their high recreational value, lose ecological efficiency in new projects due to the prevalence of sealed surfaces and non-woody vegetation. Small and block elements that dominate residential areas often degrade due to insufficient maintenance, spontaneous use, and the priority of infrastructure over greening in new developments. The study confirms that the sustainability of GI depends on adaptation to the specifics of functional zones. Thus, we propose: (1) preservation and ecological rehabilitation of large elements with the creation of green corridors, (2) modernization of existing parks instead of large-scale construction of new ones, (3) implementation of budget solutions (drainage systems, sustainable species) in dense development. Particular attention is paid to the need for a systemic approach to planning that takes into account the balance between recreational and climate-regulating functions. The results emphasize that increasing the efficiency of the GI requires not only quantitative expansion, but also qualitative adaptation to the challenges of urbanization, including climate change and increased anthropogenic load. The work is relevant for developing strategies for the sustainable development of megacities with a high proportion of sealed surfaces and socio-ecological heterogeneity.
Keywords: Urban infrastructure, Urban planning, Sustainable urban development, Ecosystem services, Efficient greening
