In Russia, the most common form of preservation of specially protected natural areas is formation of nature reserves. Due to nature protection regulations, which limit activities within the boundaries of the reserve, and due to the difference between the natural boundaries and those of the protected natural areas, the authors propose the strategy for urban development of the territories adjacent to the protected natural areas. The study identifies the main types of the areas adjacent to the reserves and provides their classification. It is proposed to form three zones: strictly preserved, buffer and protected natural zones. Strategies for urban planning development of the territories adjacent to the protected natural areas and measures have been developed for three sites of the Belogorye reserve: Forest on Vorskla, Yamskaya Steppe, Stenki Izgorya. This will ensure preservation of unique natural complexes; strengthen the natural framework of the region and stabilize the ecological situation; intensify research and educational activities in the reserves; enhance the socio-economic development of the territories adjacent to the reserve and the development of the region’s tourist and recreational infrastructure.

This article is devoted to the problem of transformation of morally and physically outdated mass residential development of the 1950-60-ies of St. Petersburg. This problem is particularly acute for the first series of panel dwelling development, the life of which is coming to an end. In this article the concept of space development of the residential panel dwellings of the “first generation” (the 1950-ies – the 1960-ies), based on the modern tendencies and the European experience is presented. The important points are the permeability of residential development, focus on the formation of social contacts; the concept of yard-garden and active implementation of the green component, the cultivation of pedestrian and road traffic.

The article considers several relevant questions: will the period of population concentration in large cities and metropolises, which are the main resource - energy consumers and sources of environmental degradation, eventually come to end? What should the new cities be like and what should be done with the old ones which were built on the basis of the consumption growth ideology and unregulated spatial expansion? Is there any way for existing cities to evolve into new forms? The urban ecology concept is presented in regard to Russia, and its implementation perspectives under the current crisis conditions are discussed.

Today, the urban riverside is prone to conflict; it is a location in the direst the need of preserving the environment and optimizing environmental management. This paper proposes a mechanism for resolving the conflicts that may arise when developing a riverside. The river and the riverside are crucial to high-quality natural and anthropogenic systems in any kind of settlement. The riverside is not only an important natural and recreational resource; it can also compensate for the anthropogenic environmental damage. However, it is also susceptible to intense anthropogenic impact associated with suboptimal use of coastal areas, deterioration of green spaces, and a considerable reduction in the areas suitable for recreation. To resolve the existing urban conflicts pertaining to the riverside, this paper proposes an ecological stabilization method that can create a holistic territorial complex to merge the necessary natural and anthropogenic components. The method is based on identifying urban conflicts and their parties, on finding a middle ground that will fit all of them while also preserving the ecological backbone. The method helps adapt riversides to the interests and values of all urban parties, protect the water reservoirs from intense anthropogenic impact, and improve the ecological conditions.

The evolution of architectural and urban planning practice is only possible through an essential understanding of the basic trends of development for architecture in the contemporary world and their historical backgrounds. One of the most important trends is «green architecture» and «perception the city as landscape». The study looks at the specifics of landscape scenarios development in Sankt-Petersburg and prospects for the inclusion of green architecture into the structure of City Plans and General Plans. Landscape scenarios and elements of green architecture are considered in the context of their historical development, structural features, compositional and design techniques. The article examines in detail the historical stages of the introduction of elements of green architecture in landscape scenarios in the City Plans and General Plans of Sankt-Petersburg-Leningrad in XX century.