Formation of a water-green framework model for a linear urban planning system

Introduction. Linear urban planning systems have a specific spatial organization that imposes special requirements for the formation of a water-green framework (WGF). The WGF is a key element in ensuring their ecological sustainability, improving the microclimate, and enhancing the quality of the environment. The relevance of the study is due to the need to develop a methodology that allows not only to describe but also to quantitatively assess and predict the sustainability of the WGF structure. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the development of a three-stage methodology integrating theoretical modelling, mathematical formalization, and sustainability assessment, as well as in the testing of this methodology on the example of Volgograd with the calculation of an integral sustainability indicator.

Materials and methods. The research is based on a synthesis of systemic, comprehensive, and program-targeted approaches. The methodology includes three stages: analytical (spatial zoning, identification of WGF elements, comprehensive assessment using GIS analysis); conceptual modelling (development of an idealized WGF model)); mathematical modelling and assessment. The principal component method was used to assess the sustainability of nodes, and the analytic hierarchy process was used to determine the weight coefficients in the integral model.

Results. A theoretical model of the water-green framework structure for a linear urban planning system is proposed. A comprehensive methodology for the formation and assessment of the WGF model was developed and tested on the example of Volgograd. An integral sustainability indicator, UWGF, aggregating the normalized indices of longitudinal belts (Jb), transverse corridors (Jc), and nodes (Jn), is proposed. The weight coefficients of the contribution of each structural element of the WGF to its sustainability are determined.

Conclusions. The practical significance of the work lies in the proposal of a toolkit for the quantitative assessment and strategic planning of the development of the WGF for linear urban planning systems. The proposed methodology allows not only to state problems but also to identify their structural causes, determining the priority of impact on the system-forming (longitudinal belts) and connecting (transverse corridors) elements. The research results can be applied in urban planning and territorial planning for linear urban planning systems, in particular, in the regions of the Volga region, the Urals, and Siberia.

1. Forman R.T.T. Urban Ecology: Science of Cities. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2014; 474.

2. Antyufeev A. Natural basis for formation of linear urban systems (on the example of “great Volgograd”). Fundamental, exploratory and applied research of RAASN on scientific support for the development of architecture, urban planning and the construction industry of the Russian Federation in 2020 : collection of scientific papers of RAASN. 2021; 1:185-191. EDN QMJOYJ. (rus.).

3. Ahern J. Green infrastructure for cities: The spatial dimension. Cities of the Future Towards Integrated Sustainable Water and Landscape Management. London, IWA Publishing, 2007; 267-283.

4. Benedict M.A. Green Infrastructure: Linking Landscapes and Communities. Washington DC, Island Press, 2006; 299.

5. Musaev T.I. Strategic urban planning: development prospects in new conditions. Architecture and Modern Information Technologies. 2025; 1(70):292-302. DOI: 10.24412/1998-4839-2025-1-292-302. EDN XBKSOE. (rus.).

6. Chen W.Y., Jim C.Y. Assessment and valuation of the ecosystem services provided by urban forests. Ecology, Planning, and Management of Urban Forests. 2008; 53-83. DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-71425-7_5

7. Cook E.A. Landscape structure indices for assessing urban ecological networks. Landscape and Urban Planning. 2002; 58(2-4):269-280. DOI: 10.1016/S0169-2046(01)00226-2

8. Krasnoshchokova N.S. The natural framework in the draft concept of the Moscow agglomeration: normative, methodological and legal aspects. Academia. Architecture and Construction. 2014; 4:9. EDN TDNXTR. (rus.).

9. Mell I.C. Green infrastructure: concepts, perceptions and its use in spatial planning : doctoral dissertation. Newcastle, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University, 2010; 413.

10. Perkova M.V., Ladik E.I. Ravine-beam landscapes in the structure of urbanized territories of Belgorod. Fundamental, exploratory and applied research of RAASN on scientific support for the development of architecture, urban planning and the construction industry of the Russian Federation in 2022–2023 : Scientific works of RAASN in 2 vol. 2024; 521-532. EDN IORIPX. (rus.).

11. Gushchin A.N., Divakova M.N. The water and planting infrastructure framework of Yekaterinburg: past, problems, and future. Architecton: Proceedings of Higher Education. 2022; 2(78). DOI: 10.47055/1990-4126-2022-2(78)-21. EDN WGGFJG. (rus.).

12. Borelli S., Chen Y., Conigliaro M., Salbitano F. Green infrastructure: a new paradigm for developing cities. XIV World Forestry Congress. 2015. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.1689.8320

13. Vitulano V. Integrating green infrastructure in Italian urban plans. Lessons from Turin and Bologna. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers — Urban Design and Planning. 2024; 177(2):45-56. DOI: 10.1680/jurdp.22.00049. EDN IEUNVF.

14. Aly S.S.A., Amer M.S.E. Green Corridors as a response for nature: Greening Alexandria city by creating a green infrastructure network. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment. 2010; 1:101-117. DOI: 10.2495/DN100101

15. Kato S. Green Infrastructure for Asian Cities: The Spatial Concepts and Planning Strategies. Proceedings of the 2011 International Symposium on City Planning. Seoul, Korea Planners Association, 2011; 161-170.

16. Grădinaru S.R., Hersperger A.M. Green infrastructure in strategic spatial plans: Evidence from European urban regions. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 2019; 40:17-28. DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2018.04.018

17. Mahmoud I. Nature-based solutions across spatial urban scales: three case studies from Nice, Utrecht and Milan. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers — Urban Design and Planning. 2024; 177(3):109-122. DOI: 10.1680/jurdp.23.00063

18. Ivanova N.V. E., Ganzha O.A. Landscape and ecological features of the formation of comfortable environment of smart cities (by the example of the historical construction of a “green ring” of Stalingrad – Volgograd). Bulletin of the Volgograd State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering. Construction and Architecture. 2017; 49(68):153-166. EDN ZGRUIN. (rus.).

19. Anopin V.N., Solodovnikov D.A., Stepanova E.A. Adaptive and landscape technologies for the restoration and transformation of the plantations of the green ring of Volgograd. Bulletin of the Volgograd State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering. Construction and Architecture. 2019; 1(74):138-150. EDN PHUNUO. (rus.).

20. Elanceva А.А., Elnicova Y.S. The herpetobiont’s evaluation from the urbanized territory. Scientific Notes of Orel State University. Series: Natural, Technical and Medical Sciences. 2015; 4:149-154. EDN UZDFPB. (rus.).

21. Belikova G.I., Vitkovskaya L.V. Fundamentals of Probability Theory and Elements of Mathematical Statistics. St. Petersburg, RGGMU, 2018; 160. EDN YOSEYX. (rus.).

22. Prokopenko V.V., Pleshakov I.N. Principles and stages of formation of the ecological and urban planning framework of Volgograd. Bulletin of the Volgograd State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering. Construction and Architecture. 2022; 1(86):218-229. EDN KOVKHP. (rus.).

23. Prokopenko V.V. The main theoretical aspects of the formation systems of green areas in the urban environment. Bulletin of the Volgograd State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering. Construction and Architecture. 2023; 1(90):224-237. EDN EOJZFR. (rus.).

24. Prokopenko V.V. The main methods of assessing the green framework of the largest city. Bulletin of the Volgograd State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering. Construction and Architecture. 2023; 5(93): 155-167. EDN CQIRZW. (rus.).