Principles for the formation of compact small towns in Russia with the aim of ensuring their urban safety

Introduction. The relevance of the study is driven by the strategic objective of ensuring the urban planning safety of small towns in Russia. The pursuit of urban planning safety is achieved through the implementation of a policy of managed shrinkage, which is intended to shape a compact urban form. The objective of compactness is achieved by densifying the built-up area, increasing infrastructure provision, and attaining 15-minute accessibility to key social facilities. The scientific problem that is the focus of this study is the limited exploration of the urban-planning aspects of compact-city formation. The objective of this study is to establish principles for the development of compact cities under a managed-shrinkage policy, with a view to ensuring the safety of urban planning. The objectives are: to analyze existing practice; to define sustainability aspects of compact cities under managed shrinkage; to develop a conceptual and theoretical model; to assess spatial compactness in three case cities; and to formulate principles for compact-city formation.

Materials and methods. The development of the research object, conceptual and theoretical model, and study design was underpinned by a systems approach. The collection and processing of data was facilitated by the utilization of spatial and geoinformation modelling techniques.

Results. The study encompassed three small Russian towns — Istra, Gusev, and Nevyansk. The urban fabric was analyzed, and 15-minute accessibility for multiple transport modes was evaluated using isochrone-based analysis. Spatial connectivity was also verified. The findings of the study resulted in the formulation of principles for the establishment of a compact territorial–spatial structure, with the objective of ensuring the safety of urban planning.

Conclusions. The assurance of urban planning safety in Russia’s small towns represents a nationwide undertaking in urban development. The implementation of compact-city formation under a managed-shrinkage policy has the potential to contribute to the enhancement of the Urban Environment Quality Index. The study proposes and substantiates four principles of compactness: spatial connectivity; ensured accessibility of urban areas; prioritization of the street-and-road network by mobility type and context-sensitive design of street-and-road segments. The implementation of these measures will contribute to the scientific and
methodological framework for developing small towns and support progress towards their sustainable development goals.

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